I am happy to join the Board. Just ordered the 276 for Spring delivery. It will be my first Cobalt. I have been researching for a while and studied the boat in great detail at the Boston Boat show this weekend. The finishes are phenominal. I am told that this is the first of the new design theme for Cobalt. The dash is the only area I wished they would do something different. If they wrapped put a wood surround around the gauges, the lower wood trim would look awkward (in my opinion). The anoodized aluminum surround is simply "flat". Ordered the 425HP, but not sure its worth the extra $$, any comments on the 375HP vs. 425HP would be welcomed. (can't fiqure out how to add photos to this thread)

Welcome aboard! You will not regret having the additional ponies. The fit and finish on Cobalt boats is second to none.

Congrats on the new boat...

Had the 8.1Gi in my two Cobalts...Unless you want the few few extra MPH, the 375 HP version is a better engine on the lower end.

I personally think Cobalt is going in the wrong direction on the new designs, but that's just my opinion. Hope that the new designs aren't disasters like the 24SX, 24SD.

The dealer also has Formulas as well. I will be water-testing the 276 next week along with a Formula 260BR and a 2009 Cobalt 262 (old 252) all with 375HP. I still have time for changes. I tried looking up the Torque specs on both engines, but cannot find. I read somewhere that the 375 had better low end, but can't find any real data on it. Formula is 1100lbs more, so I suspect it will be slower overall.

Thanks for the reply.

Nice boat. Did you buy from Jim P or Dan at EFC?

Dan.

I was in the booth though. You'll enjoy the boat, and the experience, Rhode Island!

Red - You'll find HP and Torque curves here.

http://www.gm.com/experience/technology/gmpowertrain/engines/specialized/marine/marine_engines.jsp

Not all that much difference for the cost IMO. For a boat, I think I'd want that 503 lb/ft at 3,000 rpm vs 4,000 rpm.

"Rhode Island Red" ..... isn't that what Foghorn Leghorn is?

I'm not sure I like the layout. For those of us who carry on ice chests, where do they go? I do however like the exterior lines.

I think I found out why some relate the cobalt to a cadillac!

Philr, thanks for the HP info...same torque but available earlier in the curve. Interesting that the HP difference is actually 27 (not 50 as you might believe)!! Yes indeed, Foghorn Leghorn is a Rhode Island Red. Jim, met Dan at the Newport Show, all of you guys are great and looking forward to a great experience with EFC.
Sooner Jake, I get your concerns and think cooler would be a real problem if the boat was in a slip (where you would carry-on each outing), however ours will be a trailer-boat. We load the underseat chest(s) while in the driveway.

Thanks for all your posts.