Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 vs Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 or the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021?

The Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 is the longer of the two at 30,0 feet overall. The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 comes in at 25,5 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 has a documented max rating of 350 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 or the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021?

The Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 has the bigger tank at 267 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011. That 252-gallon difference translates to roughly 756–1260 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 and Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 and the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 are built by Cobia Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 vs Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021

Cobia Boats

Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011

2011

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Cobia Boats

Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021

2021

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 vs Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 vs Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 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 Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 carries a rated maximum of 350 hp. Engine data for the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 carries 267 gallons versus 15 gallons in the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011. 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 2021 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 caps at 8. 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 2021 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 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 256 Express 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCobia Boats

Makenot available

Model256 Express

Modelnot available

Model Year2011

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 10 in

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.69

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches106

Beam - Inchesnot available

Deadrise21.5℃

Deadrisenot available

Draft [max] - Detail17 in

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.43

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches17

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail4,700 lbs. (approximate without engine)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2131.88

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.47

Weight - lbs.not available

Height [transom]30 in. single 25 in. twins

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet25.5

Length - Feet30

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail30.00 ft

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Meters9.14

Length overall - Inches306

Length overall - Inches360

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min1.75 ft

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81

Fuel tank capacity - Liters1010.7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal15

Fuel tank capacity - Gal267

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard - Twin

Drive typeoutboard

Engine max350 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity2,000 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people8

Maximum peoplenot available

Headnot available

Head1

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 vs Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 or the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021?

The Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 is the longer of the two at 30,0 feet overall. The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 comes in at 25,5 feet, making it roughly 4,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 has a documented max rating of 350 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 is certified for 9. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 or the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021?

The Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 has the bigger tank at 267 gallons, versus 15 gallons on the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011. That 252-gallon difference translates to roughly 756–1260 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 and Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 and the Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 are built by Cobia Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Cobia Boats 256 Express 2011 full specs ← Cobia Boats 301 Center Console 2021 full specs