Both the Cobia Boats 172CC 2013 and the Cobia Boats 186CC 2012 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, so the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department - Cobia Boats 172CC 2013 at 17,2 ft versus Cobia Boats 186CC 2012 at 18,4 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobia Boats 172CC 2013 tips the scales at 1 800 lbs - 120 lbs more than the Cobia Boats 186CC 2012 at 1 680 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 115 hp, the Cobia Boats 186CC 2012 has a 25-hp advantage over the Cobia Boats 172CC 2013's 90-hp ceiling - enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads - 33 gal and 30 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
Both boats are rated for 5 passengers - a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Cobia Boats 186CC 2012 and its 115-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Cobia Boats 172CC 2013 with its 90-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.