Formula 240BR or Cobalt R5?

livinthedream · 06-10-2019, 02:23 PM

I can't speak to the Formula although they are beautiful boats. I own a 2015 Cobalt R5. Bought it used at the beginning of last season. We use it for water sports and cruising the lake. I find it to be the perfect boat for Lake Winnipesaukee. Very comfortable ride and lots of storage. The drop down swim platform makes it very easy to get in and out of the boat. Handles the chop on windy days very well.

Cal Coon · 06-10-2019, 05:04 PM

Flip a coin!!! Can't go wrong with either. Both are beautiful boats. However, as an owner of one, I am biased towards the Formula. IMHO, there is nothing like the "looks" of a Formula coming at you up on plane at a high rate of speed!! Baddest looking boats on the planet!! Good luck on whatever you choose. I'm sure you will be very happy with either... It's kind of like asking what would you rather have, a million bucks in 100's, or 50's...???

MeredithMan · 06-11-2019, 08:24 AM

Like some of the others have stated, I've owned both. I had the predecessor to the R5, the Cobalt 250BR. I bought it used, (it was about 7 or 8 years old at the time), and kept it for 3 years. It was a great boat...it had the Big Block V8, (430HP), and Captain's Call exhaust. Fast, great ride, and it looked awesome.

After a few years with it, we decided we wanted something just a tad bit bigger. Ended up deciding on the Formula 270BR. This one also has the Big Block and looks great. I strongly considered the Cobalt R7, but ended up going Formula for a couple reasons. 1) The extended swim platform option on Formula is great. Gives you a ton of extra room out there. 2) We really like the way the Formula seat backs adjust forward and backward. This allows you to easily change the seating configuration for forward-facing or rear-facing. 3) Totally personal preference, but we like the rear sun lounging seat better on the Formula. 4) Minor thing, but the stow-away table on the Formula screws into the floor, whereas on the Cobalt it's an arm assembly that comes out on an upward curve from under the rear seats. 5) Formula IMRON paint...not a marketing gimmick...it will last for years and not fade. 5) Lastly, we had a relationship with PBM, (we had bought the Cobalt used from them), and I cannot say enough good things about them.

After a couple seasons with the Formula, I also have found the ride to be a bit more solid, in my view, than that of the Cobalt.

Both are excellent choices and you can't go wrong with either one. I think it just comes down to personal preference on the features of each boat and the relationship / chemistry that you have with the dealer.

Good luck!

LIforrelaxin · 06-11-2019, 11:25 AM

Comparing Formula and Cobalt and trying to decided which one is not going to be easy. Both are quality boats, and if bought new should last for a long time. If you are buy used, it comes down to which one appears to be taken care of better. There are obvious signs of how well a boat has or hasn't been take care off.

I think in all likely hood your debate will come down to, color and options. Versus worrying about the fit and finish. Both MFG stand behind their products.

What I would suggest, is to look outside the lakes region if you are truely interesting in getting a boat on a trailer and have the means to move it, yourself. I find the prices model for model, drastically different once you move out of the New England area....

Formula260SS · 06-20-2019, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

What I would suggest, is to look outside the lakes region if you are truely interesting in getting a boat on a trailer and have the means to move it, yourself. I find the prices model for model, drastically different once you move out of the New England area....

Mine came from Lake Norman in NC, I met the guy in Harrisburg. At the time I saved about 5-6K. I agree you get better pricing the further south you go

DoTheMath · 06-24-2019, 04:10 PM

Thanks everyone for all the good feedback / info, will take it into consideration when shopping!

06-11-2019, 08:24 AM	#3
MeredithMan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Bedford, NH; Meredith, NH Posts: 975 Thanks: 263 Thanked 820 Times in 337 Posts	Formula by a nose.... Like some of the others have stated, I've owned both. I had the predecessor to the R5, the Cobalt 250BR. I bought it used, (it was about 7 or 8 years old at the time), and kept it for 3 years. It was a great boat...it had the Big Block V8, (430HP), and Captain's Call exhaust. Fast, great ride, and it looked awesome. After a few years with it, we decided we wanted something just a tad bit bigger. Ended up deciding on the Formula 270BR. This one also has the Big Block and looks great. I strongly considered the Cobalt R7, but ended up going Formula for a couple reasons. 1) The extended swim platform option on Formula is great. Gives you a ton of extra room out there. 2) We really like the way the Formula seat backs adjust forward and backward. This allows you to easily change the seating configuration for forward-facing or rear-facing. 3) Totally personal preference, but we like the rear sun lounging seat better on the Formula. 4) Minor thing, but the stow-away table on the Formula screws into the floor, whereas on the Cobalt it's an arm assembly that comes out on an upward curve from under the rear seats. 5) Formula IMRON paint...not a marketing gimmick...it will last for years and not fade. 5) Lastly, we had a relationship with PBM, (we had bought the Cobalt used from them), and I cannot say enough good things about them. After a couple seasons with the Formula, I also have found the ride to be a bit more solid, in my view, than that of the Cobalt. Both are excellent choices and you can't go wrong with either one. I think it just comes down to personal preference on the features of each boat and the relationship / chemistry that you have with the dealer. Good luck!

06-11-2019, 11:25 AM	#4
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,897 Thanks: 1,043 Thanked 897 Times in 529 Posts	Comparing Formula and Cobalt and trying to decided which one is not going to be easy. Both are quality boats, and if bought new should last for a long time. If you are buy used, it comes down to which one appears to be taken care of better. There are obvious signs of how well a boat has or hasn't been take care off. I think in all likely hood your debate will come down to, color and options. Versus worrying about the fit and finish. Both MFG stand behind their products. What I would suggest, is to look outside the lakes region if you are truely interesting in getting a boat on a trailer and have the means to move it, yourself. I find the prices model for model, drastically different once you move out of the New England area.... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

06-10-2019, 02:23 PM	#1
livinthedream Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 11 Thanks: 4 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I can't speak to the Formula although they are beautiful boats. I own a 2015 Cobalt R5. Bought it used at the beginning of last season. We use it for water sports and cruising the lake. I find it to be the perfect boat for Lake Winnipesaukee. Very comfortable ride and lots of storage. The drop down swim platform makes it very easy to get in and out of the boat. Handles the chop on windy days very well.

06-10-2019, 05:04 PM	#2
Cal Coon Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Lakes Region Posts: 475 Thanks: 179 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	Flip a coin!!! Can't go wrong with either. Both are beautiful boats. However, as an owner of one, I am biased towards the Formula. IMHO, there is nothing like the "looks" of a Formula coming at you up on plane at a high rate of speed!! Baddest looking boats on the planet!! Good luck on whatever you choose. I'm sure you will be very happy with either... It's kind of like asking what would you rather have, a million bucks in 100's, or 50's...???

06-24-2019, 04:10 PM	#6
DoTheMath Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: MA / Moultonborough Posts: 146 Thanks: 47 Thanked 43 Times in 18 Posts	Thanks everyone for all the good feedback / info, will take it into consideration when shopping!