New Yamaha ar240 or new cobalt 220?

[Scubadon]

Wondering what you guys think, I love the layout of the Yamaha but don't think the overall fit and finish is equal to a cobalt that I really like. I'm mainly going to be using the boat for typical family fun tubing, skiing, and just floating. Which would you guys chose?

 

[tpenfield]

My thoughts . . .

You are comparing a twin engine powered jet boat (ar240) to a traditionally I/O powered boat (Cobalt 220). So, you may want to Google some info on what boaters have to say about the difference, etc.

Also the Cobalt is more of a hand built boat whereas Yamaha uses a lot of automation in their production process. So, you may want to dig into that as well. Sometimes the details of how boats are built remain fairly hidden, though.

Cobalt offers some explanation of the advantages of an I/O powered boat on their web site. . . . mainly trim, low speed operation, and fuel efficiency are the advantages that they speak of . . .

I don't think that there is a bad choice here, it is just a matter of the right choice for you and your boating needs.

 

[Watermann]

Maybe read this link before you decide where your money should go.

http://americanprofile.com/articles/cobalt-boats-kansas-made/

 

[Maxum21]

jet drive and i/o boats are WAY different in every aspect. If possible you need to test drive each. I had a twin engine jetboat. fun,fast, but noisy

 

[tpenfield]

I did some googling and came across some threads of 24+ foot Cobalts that have sunk. Not sure if there are any similar instances of Yamaha boats going under. So, you might want to check that out aspect of the boats as well.

As an aside . . . Boat up to 20 feet in length are required by USCG regs to have positive flotation, but above that size they are not required. ABYC & NMMA standards extend the flotation requirements up to 26 foot boats, but they are standards and not regulations.

 

[Blind Date]

As others have already noted comparing apples to oranges. You need to test drive both to experience how different they handle and perform.

 

[Scubadon]

Thanks to everyone for responding I have been researching the Yamahas out for the past year, I know all the characters of jet drive handling and such and the improvement made to the 2015 24ft. Yamaha to help with the noise and slow speed handling issues, but still haven't been able to test drive them. I'm mainly concerned with resale down the road and overall reliability, and the better one for general family fun. It's just a hard decision for me to drop the loot, don't want to wish I got the other one.

 

[rallyart]

As soon as you drive the two boats you will know which one is for you. Yamaha is one of the best selling boats and have a great reputation for most things they do. Cobalt is one of the top names and have been around a long time. They will feel and handle differently and on your test drives you will easily pick the one you want. You try on a suit before you buy it and a boat is much more money than any suit.

Resale is tougher. My last boat lasted me over twenty years. My current boat is 9 years and no where close to leaving. The best resale value is to buy a used boat so the first hit is gone to someone else. If you keep it ten years, who cares?

 

[tpenfield]

They both are strong brands, so you aren't making a mistake either way. With that said, you are best to say what is best (for you).

Nobody is going to chuckle as you pull into the anchoring area

 

[Scubadon]

Awesome article Waterman, really helps me lean even more towards the cobalt that I am stuck on. I am looking for a left over 220s

 

[Slip Away]

Resale, reliability, family fun = Cobalt without question.

 

[BRICH1260]

Don't think you could go wrong with either boat, but as others have mentioned they are totally different running and handling boats. Talk to people that have them and try to test drive each of them.

 

[Blind Date]

Resale, reliability, family fun = Cobalt without question.

I suspect you'll get all that with the Yamaha as well.

 

[keith2k455]

There have been quite a few topics on this previously. One that many were a part of is here

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gener...-v-stern/page2

I reread it and seem to remember noise as something to think about. I would want to test the jet boat for noise level and fuel consumption. The room on a jet and ease of maintenance is tempting. It would have to be as quiet as the stern drive and get similar fuel consumption for me to seriously consider the jet

 

[Scubadon]

I went with the cobalt, got a used 2013 210 with mercruiser 5.0l bravo 3 with only 20 hrs. On it

 

[thumpar]

The only thing about the Yamaha as a down side is they they have been known to abandon some of there equipment so parts are far and few between after awhile.

Personally it would be the Cobalt for me. It will have a better resale value and parts will be available down the road.

 

[rallyart]

You'll love that Cobalt Scubadon. They are well built and that is a nice engine and drive combination.

 

[Scubadon]

Thanks to everyone for responding, now we just need spring to come to start boating season

 

[Slip Away]

I suspect you'll get all that with the Yamaha as well.

Not re-sale. No way

 

[OrangeTJ]

The Yamaha will have a LOT more interior room, most particularly in the bow area. The Cobalt will show a higher level of build quality and use nicer materials throughout. The newer 24 foot Yamahas are much, much quieter than the 2014 and earlier models. We have a 2011 SX210, which has been flawless...but it's certainly not a Cobalt (or a current generation 240, for that matter). Even so, it is very easy and inexpensive to own and maintain, extremely maneuverable, performs well, has been flawlessly reliable and has lots of space for its size. If you want any additional perspective on the Yamaha boats, even though mine is a different generation and model, I'd be happy to provide more.