Bowrider Boats Shootout: Cobalt R35 Outboard vs Sterndrive

September 27, 2023

We Consider the Differences Between Two of the Best Bowrider Boats on the Market

R35 Sterndrive — Find out why the Cobalt R35 is one of the best bowrider boats for sale

The Cobalt R35 boat is the top-of-the-line flagship of our portfolio. With an overall length of 35’4″ (10.77 meters) and a beam of 10’10” (3.30 meters), it’s an impressive bowrider that offers high performance, ample seating, and plentiful features.

The Cobalt R35 Outboard Bowrider Gives You Options

Our Cobalt R35 Sterndrive model boat will be familiar to many of our customers. Thanks to its success, in 2023 we introduced the Cobalt R35 Outboard.

If you’re looking at bowrider boats for sale, and if you’re ready to Experience Extraordinary, Cobalt Boats is proud to offer you a version with propulsion systems that suit your needs, whether that’s outboard engine power or stern drive power.

R35 Outboard — Our best bowrider boat now has outboard engines

But what are the differences between these two impressive bowrider boats? Let’s delve deeper:

Sterndrive or Outboard: Choose Your Ideal Bowrider Boat

For boat buyers browsing bowrider boats for sale, it can be overwhelming when viewing the various options available at boat dealerships. If you’re choosing between the Cobalt R35 bowrider with Sterndrive or the Cobalt R35 bowrider with Outboard, let’s look at the propulsion options in more detail.

Outboard Power

R35 Outboard engines — Perfect for water skiing, watersports, cruising, or simply family fun, the R35 outboard is one of the best bowriders

The Cobalt R35 Outboard is powered by your choice of either Mercury Verado or Yamaha outboard engines, in a choice of either twin or triple outboard configurations, and in your choice of power ranging from 300 hp to 600 hp. Whether you enjoy day cruising, tow sports, or simply going boating, here are the outboard options you can select from:

Mercury Verado Outboard Options

Twin 300 hp Verado in Black or White with joystick control
Twin 400 hp Verado in Black or White with joystick control
Twin 450R 450 hp Verado in Black or White with joystick control
Triple 300 hp Verado in Black or White with joystick control
Triple 400 hp Verado in Black or White with joystick control
Twin 600 hp Verado in Black or White with joystick control

Yamaha Outboard Options

Twin F300 XCA 300 hp in White with joystick control
Triple F300 XCA 300 hp in White with joystick control

Sterndrive Power

The Cobalt R35 Sterndrive is powered by twin sterndrive engines. New buyers can choose from a range of engines from either Volvo Penta or Mercruiser engines. Here’s the full list:

Volvo Penta Sterndrive options:

Twin V8-300CE-G DP Joystick – 300 hp
Twin V8-350CE-G DP Joystick – with 350 hp
Twin V8-380CE DP Joystick – with 380 hp
Twin V8-430CE DP Joystick – with 430 hp

The R35 Outboard offers all the benefits of an open bow, classic bowrider with the decreased maintenance costs of outboards

Mercruiser:

Twin 6.2 L MPI ECT-300 B3 DTS Axius – 300 hp
Twin 6.2 L MPI ECT-350 B3 DTS Axius – 350 hp
Twin 8.2 Mag ECT B3X DTS Axius – 380 hp
Twin 8.2 Mag HO ECT B3X DTS Axius – 430 hp

With that amount of power behind you, you’ll feel the wind whipping at your face every time you head out on the lake, river or wherever you prefer to enjoy your boat.

Storage: Discover the Boat with Ample Space for Your Gear

The Cobalt R35 is the ideal boat type for your cruising and watersports needs thanks to ample storage space spread throughout the boat, from bow to stern. The highlight for both boats lies at the stern where you’ll find two similar–but slightly different–storage spaces. Check it out:

R35 Outboard: Aft Tender Garage

At the Cobalt R35 Outboard’s stern, you’ll find a fully finished Aft Tender Garage. Capable of storing two 10’6″ special-edition Cobalt brand paddleboards (made by BOTE), and two Yamaha sea scooters for endless fun on the water.

Go paddleboarding with friends with ease with the Cobalt R35 Outboard’s handy watersports amenities

By opting for our R35 Outboard Model you receive an extra storage space at the stern, an unusual luxury amongst most bowriders. To ensure that you and your crew are able to comfortably access the accessories stored in the Tender Garage, a large rear hatch opens to the stern to allow easy retrieval and storage.

Experience extraordinary thanks to the large aft tender garage on the Cobalt R35 bowrider

The space created for this Tender Garage by opting for our Outboard model is undoubtedly an advantage of the R35.

R35 Sterndrive: Splash & Stow™

Store large yacht-style inflatables in the R35 Sterndrive’s Splash & Stow™ compartment

The R35 Sterndrive offers slightly less aft storage than the R35 Outboard. But don’t be fooled, due to the R35 Sterndrive’s Splash & Stow™ there is still a roomy, convenient built-in system capable of storing even large yacht-style inflatables. Deploy and retrieve your gear, accessories, and inflatables from the Splash & Stow™ with the touch of a button.

Both solutions form a comfortable seating and sunpad area when closed, maximizing the space in the cockpit available on these stunning bowriders for your family, friends, and crew.

Swim Platform: Another Key Difference Between These Two Amazing Bowrider Boats

The hydraulic swim platform on the R35 Sterndrive bowrider boat is one of its highlight features

The Cobalt R35 Outboard and Sterndrive model bowriders are undoubtedly two of the best bowrider boats for sale right now, and the swim platform on the R35 Sterndrive is one of the many reasons why.

Large Hydraulic Swim Platform

When you opt for the Cobalt R35 Sterndrive model, you gain the room to have a spacious hydraulic swim platform at the stern. The hydraulic function is an option offered to new buyers and if not selected, you can still enjoy the expansive swim platform and enter the water via a convenient flip-down step.

The Cobalt R35 Sterndrive is a bowrider for all occasions, featuring a social bow area and all the features you need

The optional hydraulic swim platform lowers the middle section of the platform below the water with the touch of a button, connecting your boat directly to the water and allowing for easy access in and out of the lake, river or ocean – wherever you prefer to go boating.

And when you’re ready to return aboard, the static port and starboard ends of the swim platform make great steps back up to the deck.

Highlights From Both Boats

The Cobalt R35 Outboard and Sterndrive boats guarantee that you’ll Experience Extraordinary

Whether you prefer outboard or sterndrive power for your bowrider, the Cobalt R35 is a fantastic choice for your next boat.

Let’s explore some of the standard amenities, optional upgrades, and common features between these two extraordinary flagship Cobalt boats:

Experience Extraordinary Dining with the Cobalt AutoDeploy Galley

An Exciting New Option Across Both Models

A first for bowriders, the patent-pending Cobalt AutoDeploy Galley sets the Cobalt R35 apart from other bowrider boats

The Cobalt AutoDeploy Galley is our latest exciting optional upgrade that new buyers can select.

At the touch of a button, the galley rises from the bench seating to starboard.

Normally disguised as part of the seating arrangement on board, the galley is expertly tucked away, ready for use to create gourmet meals onboard.

Normally a solid bench seat, the AutoDeploy galley deploys in seconds, ready for gourmet meals on the cockpit table

The galley features an optional reliable grill by Kenyon, a world-renowned specialist in onboard cooking equipment. Next to the grill, you’ll find a handy prep sink included as standard. Below that, a convenient microwave is also included as standard for quick heating, sitting alongside some storage for your galley essentials.

Not your average bowrider: The Cobalt R35's AutoDeploy Galley is a great value option — Not your average bowrider: The Cobalt R35’s AutoDeploy Galley is a great value option

Remarkably for this boat type, buyers can choose to include an impressive 3.2 cubic ft freezer/fridge installed on the port side behind the passenger helm seat. Now you can enjoy the coldest beverages and freshest produce no matter where your adventures take you.

If the fridge/freezer unit isn’t optioned, you will still enjoy the benefits of the available space there thanks to an ABS storage tub with a removable 36-quart cooler as standard.

Experience Extraordinary Sound with Premium Audio

Bring Your Music to Life with a New Optional Harman Kardon Audio System

If you’re considering the Cobalt R35, our new optional audio upgrade by Harman Kardon should be just the thing to make you feel right at home on your new bowrider.

The R35’s Harman Kardon audio system includes multiple Harman Kardon speakers spread throughout the boat, including both subwoofers (12″ and 10″) and tweeters, to ensure that you get the full audio quality experience offered by Harman Kardon.

The entire system is powered by high-quality Harman Kardon amplifiers and controlled by a premium Fusion Audio 770 head unit installed in the cabin, with remote controls conveniently fitted at the helm and sunpad.

Optional Seakeeper Gyro

To ensure that you have the steadiest, most comfortable time on board even in rough water, both models of the Cobalt R35 can be optioned with a Seakeeper 2 gyro. The Seakeeper 2 is the latest in anti-roll technology, ensuring that even the most sensitive stomachs can enjoy a relaxing day of adventures on the water.

Experience Extraordinary Boats with Cobalt Boats

If you’re ready to Experience Extraordinary with Cobalt Boats, we’re ready to help you find the perfect Cobalt for all your boating needs.

Your ideal Cobalt R35 is just a few clicks away. Customize every aspect of your bowrider, from propulsion to amenities, and embark on a boating journey that’s as exceptional as you are. Design your dream Cobalt now and elevate your on-the-water lifestyle.