The Cobia Boats 230 WA 2006 vs Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2018 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 300 hp, the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2018 has a 50-hp advantage over the Cobia Boats 230 WA 2006's 250-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobia Boats 230 WA 2006 carries 113 gallons versus 23 gallons in the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2018. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2018 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Cobia Boats 230 WA 2006 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2018 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2018 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 30,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Cobia Boats 230 WA 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.