Cobalt 226 vs R7
The Cobalt R7 asks $3,500 more at the median ($22,500 against $19,000), measured across 63 listings we track. Below is every difference we can evidence, and the ones we cannot.
Side by side
| Cobalt 226 | Cobalt R7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Median asking priceLower is cheaper to buy, not necessarily better value. | $19,000 | $22,500 |
| Typical low (25th pct) | $16,500 | $17,000 |
| Typical high (75th pct) | $23,000 | $38,000 |
| Length (median listed) | 22.0 ft | 27.6 ft |
| Listings we trackMore listings means an easier boat to find and to resell. | 22 | 41 |
| States with listings | 12 | 16 |
| Engines we see most | MerCruiser sterndrive (gas, 4.5L–6.2L) | MerCruiser sterndrive (gas, 4.5L–6.2L), Volvo Penta sterndrive (gas, DPS/Duoprop) |
| Known problems on file | 0 | 2 |
| Federal recall campaigns (builder) | 10 | 3 |
| Model years traded | 1999–2005 | 1991–2020 |
Method: Both columns come from the same pipeline on the same day, so the comparison is like-for-like. Asking prices, de-duplicated, quartiles rounded to $500.
Sources: BoatVerdict market observations · USCG / CPSC recall records
Which one suits which buyer
Take the Cobalt 226 if…
- Budget is the binding constraint: it asks $3,500 less at the median.
Take the Cobalt R7 if…
- You want the bigger boat: 27.6 ft against 22.0 ft.
- You want choice: we track 41 of these against 22.
- You would rather not travel: listings in 16 states against 12.
- The premium freshwater bowrider; best-in-class build and the strongest resale in the sterndrive bowrider segment.
Every line above is derived from a number in the table, not from an opinion about the brands. What we cannot tell you from listing data is how they ride, how they are built, or which dealer network is better near you — so we do not pretend to.
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