Cobalt R5 poor design

[betterthanbacon]

Originally Posted by Biggd

It was an electronics issue. The tech came out with his laptop and ordered a part which took a week to get because it was brand new. That wasn't the problem so another part was ordered that finally fixed it but 3 weeks of the summer season was lost.

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Hopefully the dealer gave him a loaner

[BroadHopper]

With all the issues I hear about new boats I will stick with my '88. Haven't had a problem since new? Pure luck or quality build. (Formula).

[Biggd]

Originally Posted by betterthanbacon

Hopefully the dealer gave him a loaner

No, the guy was without his boat for 3 weeks in July. He's a real nice guy so I don't think he put up too much of a fuss but I would have. That's the main reason he bought a new boat because his other one was giving him problems.

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[8gv]

At this point I would suggest that folks read before they post but...

that's a close tie with the suggestion of reading one's own post to determine its legibility prior to hitting "submit reply".

It is possible that a reasonable complaint about a boat design can be considered a valid but separate issue from any boating safety concerns.

One does not diminish the other.

FWIW...

My expectation for any boat is that the rub rail is the outer most part of the boat.

If the owner wishes to add accessories that protrude beyond that they do so at their own risk.

Spring is coming soon!

We're all going to make it.

[rattlesnake dn60]

Thanks 8gv for your defense, let me clarify the docking situation in the marina. On one side you have the dock with 4x4 posts, on the other you have someone else’s boat, approximately 10’ between. Our cobalt has an 8’6” beam, do the math, it’s not easy to back or drive in without bumping or sliding along the posts. This is what a rub rail is for!! I’ve owed a boat on Winnipesaukee for 40 yrs and have been on Rattlsnake for 30. I know a little bit about boats and am absolutely ashamed of myself for not noticing this MAJOR design flaw before purchasing the boat. It only sticks out about an inch but is an inch to much. NOTHING should stick out beyond the rub rail except a windlass or swim platform. Anyone who doesn’t Agee’s knows nothing about boats. As for photos I don’t know how to add a photo to this post, but believe me, I’d love too.

[rattlesnake dn60]

Just checked out the cobalt 26SD, totally different hull than the R5. The Bimini hardware is probably mounted differently. Believe me if your Bimini was mounted out beyond your rub rail you’d know it and agree with me!

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by rattlesnake dn60

Thanks 8gv for your defense, let me clarify the docking situation in the marina. On one side you have the dock with 4x4 posts, on the other you have someone else’s boat, approximately 10’ between. Our cobalt has an 8’6” beam, do the math, it’s not easy to back or drive in without bumping or sliding along the posts. This is what a rub rail is for!! I’ve owed a boat on Winnipesaukee for 40 yrs and have been on Rattlsnake for 30. I know a little bit about boats and am absolutely ashamed of myself for not noticing this MAJOR design flaw before purchasing the boat. It only sticks out about an inch but is an inch to much. NOTHING should stick out beyond the rub rail except a windlass or swim platform. Anyone who doesn’t Agee’s knows nothing about boats. As for photos I don’t know how to add a photo to this post, but believe me, I’d love too.

You may be able to re-engineer it yourself. This company has all kinds nifty and high quality bimini hardware and they are fantastic to deal with.

[iw8surf]

Originally Posted by rattlesnake dn60

Thanks 8gv for your defense, let me clarify the docking situation in the marina. On one side you have the dock with 4x4 posts, on the other you have someone else’s boat, approximately 10’ between. Our cobalt has an 8’6” beam, do the math, it’s not easy to back or drive in without bumping or sliding along the posts. This is what a rub rail is for!! I’ve owed a boat on Winnipesaukee for 40 yrs and have been on Rattlsnake for 30. I know a little bit about boats and am absolutely ashamed of myself for not noticing this MAJOR design flaw before purchasing the boat. It only sticks out about an inch but is an inch to much. NOTHING should stick out beyond the rub rail except a windlass or swim platform. Anyone who doesn’t Agee’s knows nothing about boats. As for photos I don’t know how to add a photo to this post, but believe me, I’d love too.

Almost. If not every single boat that now has a wakeboard tower with racks and bimini sticks out past the rub rail... This isn't a major coast guard violating design flaw this is a case of you choosing the wrong boat for your tight dock unfortunately. I am also guilty of doing what you have done, came into the dock one time racks still out and they took a beating and ended up with a nice bend in them, I learned from that mistake and haven't done it again in 7 years. One thing I don't do is allow people on the swim platform while I am docking, that is just a no no and a good way to run someone over.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by rattlesnake dn60

Thanks 8gv for your defense, let me clarify the docking situation in the marina. On one side you have the dock with 4x4 posts, on the other you have someone else’s boat, approximately 10’ between. Our cobalt has an 8’6” beam, do the math, it’s not easy to back or drive in without bumping or sliding along the posts. This is what a rub rail is for!! I’ve owed a boat on Winnipesaukee for 40 yrs and have been on Rattlsnake for 30. I know a little bit about boats and am absolutely ashamed of myself for not noticing this MAJOR design flaw before purchasing the boat. It only sticks out about an inch but is an inch to much. NOTHING should stick out beyond the rub rail except a windlass or swim platform. Anyone who doesn’t Agee’s knows nothing about boats. As for photos I don’t know how to add a photo to this post, but believe me, I’d love too.

18" left for room is more than every dock at my association and almost every time I've tried to dock at Wolfeboro!

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[Lakeboater]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

18" left for room is more than every dock at my association and almost every time I've tried to dock at Wolfeboro!

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So, he is talking approximately 9 inches on each side. Then of course that 9 inches shrinks quick if the boat he ties up next to is tied up loosely. Most boats I see are not tied tight to the posts.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by Lakeboater

So, he is talking approximately 9 inches on each side. Then of course that 9 inches shrinks quick if the boat he ties up next to is tied up loosely. Most boats I see are not tied tight to the posts.

I get that, I was just saying that it's not THAT tight. Try pulling into Melvin Village Marina's service docks!

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[ThePlut]

I attached a stock photo of an R5 for you. I have an R5 also, but I got an arch which does not stick out from the hull. It's got a great pic, but you can see given the nearly vertical surface of the hull above the rub rail that the bimini mounts would definitely stick out a bit.

Maybe the dealer will give you a good trade value and you can build a new R5 with an Arch, I love mine, the top is a little more time consuming to deploy but it's not that bad and I really just left it open most of the time.

[rattlesnake dn60]

Yup that’s the boat. I could trade it and I would but I’d have to take a major hit. I’d lose $10k on my trade and pay $10k more for the new boat plus pay someone to install an after market Bimini! Probably $20k+ I would say. My trade has 100 hrs on it. I think Cobalt is the one who should take the hit, they designed it. Give me a new boat, same everything with NO top and I’ll take it from there. I’m sure they split a ton of money with the dealers on every boat!