Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 vs Cobia Boats 320 2019 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 or the Cobia Boats 320 2019?

The Cobia Boats 320 2019 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 comes in at 25,5 feet, making it roughly 6,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 is rated to a maximum of 350 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobia Boats 320 2019 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobia Boats 320 2019 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: Are the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 and Cobia Boats 320 2019 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 and the Cobia Boats 320 2019 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 2012 vs Cobia Boats 320 2019

Cobia Boats

Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012

2012

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Cobia Boats

Cobia Boats 320 2019

2019

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 vs Cobia Boats 320 2019 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 vs Cobia Boats 320 2019 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 350 hp, the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Cobia Boats 320 2019's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Cobia Boats 320 2019 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 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 320 2019 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobia Boats 320 2019 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 9 passengers and at 32,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 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 Year2012

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 - Feet32

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail32.00 ft

Length overall - Meters7.77

Length overall - Meters9.75

Length overall - Inches306

Length overall - Inches384

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep 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 - Litersnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Gal15

Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard - Twin

Drive typeoutboard

Engine max350 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeYAMAHA

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 hp

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 2012 vs Cobia Boats 320 2019 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 or the Cobia Boats 320 2019?

The Cobia Boats 320 2019 is the longer of the two at 32,0 feet overall. The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 comes in at 25,5 feet, making it roughly 6,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 is rated to a maximum of 350 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobia Boats 320 2019 tops out at 300 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobia Boats 320 2019 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.

Are the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 and Cobia Boats 320 2019 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobia Boats 256 Express 2012 and the Cobia Boats 320 2019 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 2012 full specs ← Cobia Boats 320 2019 full specs