Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

[onewhippedpuppy]

Odd comparison, let me set it up. About 1.5 years ago we bought our first boat, a 2004 18' Tahoe bowrider. The idea was to see if my family (wife, kids 3, 6, 9) would use it before jumping into something bigger and more expensive. It was an huge success, we've gone boating every weekend possible. Inevitably we now want to move up, hence the comparison because I can get a 2000-ish 23' Cobalt or a 2005-ish 23' Yamaha for the same under $20k price. In reality I can get a variety of I/O boats in that range, but I've always had an affection for Cobalts. There isn't an easy way for me to take each on a test drive, so I'm soliciting opinions here. We primarily use the boat for tubing and swimming, with lots of jumping off of the swim platform. Here's how I see the pros and cons.

Yamaha - easier maintenance, awesome swim platform, better tolerance to shallow lakes (big deal here), better maneuverability, worse wake for water sports (not a factor yet), annoying buzzy engines vs V8 rumble, better use of interior space than most I/O, more storage

Cobalt - superb build quality, better handling of rough water (big deal here), V8 sound, beautiful appearance, typical I/O maintenance hassles, older boat than Yamaha, would have to add a swim platform

The practical side of me says Yamaha, the car guy in me says Cobalt. What am I missing in my comparison?

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

I guess I'm missing something, but how is a jet drive with no steering unless you're on the throttle more maneuverable than a I/O. The jet skis I've driven were anything but maneuverable at low speeds.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

True, but they can also turn basically around their own axis as well as move directly sideways. The jets turn a full 180 degrees. There are some very impressive docking videos on YouTube using Yamaha jet boats.

 

[cobra1476]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

I say the Yamaha. Engines are bulletproof. Layout is awesome.

All it needs is a small modification install on the jet drive and no more docking issues.

Also, these are so easy to drive. I can steer one with my pinky.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

I say the Yamaha. Engines are bulletproof. Layout is awesome.

All it needs is a small modification install on the jet drive and no more docking issues.

Also, these are so easy to drive. I can steer one with my pinky.

Just so I know, what's the mod?

 

[moosehead]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

What power plant in the Cobalt? Have you piloted both?

Some jet owners like these Cobra jet fins for slow maneuvering: Products for Yamaha Jet Boats

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

I unfortunately haven't piloted either thus far. Our local boat selection frankly sucks, I'll probably have to travel for whatever I decide to get. There's no easy way to really compare them, hence the post. From what I've seen either the 5.7 or 7.4 seem to prevail on the Cobalts, both EFI with the Volvo Penta Duoprop.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

It's really going to come down to the condition of the boat you find. The Yamaha has two engines to service/maintain, so that should be factored in as well. I usually dismiss most of the swim platform stuff because of you are cautious, the outdrive on the back won't be a hazard. Cobalt will have better fit and finish, but after a decade it comes down to care and maintenance for either boat.

 

[PharmD2B]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

Not sure about your area but might want to make sure servicing on the Volvo stuff will be convenient for you. Most people have said that Volvo is pretty reliable but merc is def preferred b/c majority of marine places service merc, but not so much with Volvo. Just my $.02

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

It's really going to come down to the condition of the boat you find. The Yamaha has two engines to service/maintain, so that should be factored in as well. I usually dismiss most of the swim platform stuff because of you are cautious, the outdrive on the back won't be a hazard. Cobalt will have better fit and finish, but after a decade it comes down to care and maintenance for either boat.

Absolutely true, and I won't consider a neglected example of either. The platform is a pretty big deal for us, as we have little kids that love to jump off of it. The Cobalts of that era just had a little stubby deck on the back, so I would need to add one if not already equipped.

Not sure about your area but might want to make sure servicing on the Volvo stuff will be convenient for you. Most people have said that Volvo is pretty reliable but merc is def preferred b/c majority of marine places service merc, but not so much with Volvo. Just my $.02

A good point, though Yamaha service could also be more difficult than Mercruiser. I DIY essentially everything, so my only big concern is parts availability. Sadly it seems that nobody stocks anything anymore, at least based on my experience with my current super common 4.3 Mercruiser with Alpha 1. I really don't even mess with the local marine shops anymore, I just come straight to iboats.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

Absolutely true, and I won't consider a neglected example of either. The platform is a pretty big deal for us, as we have little kids that love to jump off of it. The Cobalts of that era just had a little stubby deck on the back, so I would need to add one if not already equipped.

I don't disagree that the extended platforms aren't nice, but I grew up around (and still own) boats that have no swim platform at all and we've not had issue. If you teach the kids not to jump near the outdrive, it's a non-issue. The only time you have to be careful is with those new to boating or very young kids who aren't likely to remember/understand that the danger is underwater. That being said, platforms are cheap enough to add-on and make it irrelevant anyway.

You are right that the Yamahas in many cases will be a bit harder to service in some areas due to their more limited nature. However, they are just jet ski engines, so they aren't terribly complex to begin with.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

OP, your comparisons are fairly accurate. My prior craft was a SeaDoo Speedster 200 with twin Rotax jets, current is the Cobalt 200. I bought both used but in excellent condition.

The Yami's are well designed and really can compete with an upscale runabout. That said, the Cobalt detailed build quality is noticeably best in class which IMO is a functional advantage vs. a status issue. We also view the swim platform as critical as well for family and watersports, but you can add one fairly easily. We also added Seadek on the swim platform on both crafts and consider it the best mod we have made. You will get used to jet handling quickly, so unless you are docking or retrieving in highly windy conditions, it really is a non-issue. Note the jets can run in 3' water or maybe less, but you'll pay the price for sucking up debris and need to replace either wear rings, or impellers, or both.

Biggest difference IME is the Yami will be quick and nimble, while the Cobalt will be much sturdier and take on chop much, much better. Note the difference in dry weight between the two craft is significant - the additional heft of the Cobalt is better served with stronger motors and dual props.

As mentioned above, condition is critical regardless of craft.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

Thanks moosehead, that's exactly what I was looking for. The Yamaha's ability to operate in the shallows is a big plus, many of our KS lakes are relatively shallow and not very mossy or weedy. Conversely, it's always freaking windy here, and many a tubing run has ended up anchored in a cove due to our little Tahoe's inability to deal with chop. Guess I need to weigh the options.

Can you comment on maintenance for the jet boats? I've heard lots of comments that they are much more reliable and easier to service.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

I would call the engine block maintenance equivalent effort and time, with the only incremental I/O maintenance being pulling the outdrive for lube and bellows.

At the end of the day, the jet was too much pucker factor for us, we got bounced around in lake chop and sometimes got the whole damn thing airborne. The Cobalt is much more seaworthy, has tremendous passenger and gear utility, and can likely last a lifetime. YMMV.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Jet Boat (Yamaha SR230) vs I/O (Cobalt BR230)

Perfect, thanks.