Cobalt R8 Surf 2024 review

Australians have always enjoyed a love of surfing and boating. In fact, way back in the 1960s, Australian surfing legend Midget Farrelly won the inaugural World Surfing Championship at Bondi Beach heralding a new breed of professionalism and aquatic lifestyle.

Of course, surfing was an ancient ‘sport of kings’ in Hawaii which developed in the American mainland after the islands joined the union in 1959, becoming the 50th state. California’s Malibu Beach then became the epicentre of the surfing revolution giving rise to favourites like the Gidget movies and TV show, and music exemplified by the likes of The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, Dick Dale, The Atlantics and the Shadows.

During the same era, fibreglass became the new material of choice for both boat and surfboard production, with Cobalt Boats establishing themselves in (of all places) Kansas, smack bang in the middle of the country. Cobalt Boats was formed on the conviction of being “built on a reputation of quality instead of price”.

Cobalt Boats successfully targeted the expanding ‘high-end speedboat’ market, setting standards in quality, style, design and performance. Cobalt has since developed the range to include surf, outboard, and sterndrive models as well as larger family cruisers.

In 2017, Cobalt Boats was acquired by surf, wake and ski boat giant Malibu Boats, which brings us to its latest R8 Surf model.

I must say I felt a little like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when she realised she must be “somewhere over the rainbow” as the big bowrider arrived at the boat ramp. I just couldn’t help thinking to myself of the famous saying: “Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore!” 

This is a big and bold boat featuring a high-profile hull with a very sporty, yet chic demeanour. The combination of a Volvo Penta 6.2-litre 430 V8 with its twin forward-facing counter-rotating propellers certainly makes a statement about just how serious Cobalt is about producing ultimate on-water performance.

With an overall length of 8.48m, including the swim platform and an oversize 2.59m beam, it falls into the over-dimensional towing classification but makes a great candidate for stack storage or perhaps a dry lift or wet berth.

The internal volume, layout, ergonomic design and facilities make the R8 ideal for water sports, cruising or high-speed thrills.

The enlarged trim plate and ensuing trim range combine with the custom-designed, surf-oriented deep-V hull for a compliant ride, whether at speed or digging in the stern to produce a peaking wake for riding. The shape of the wake is customised with six ballast tanks (total capacity: 1043L) with trim tabs and Malibu ‘Surf Gate’ technology.

The wake is easily reshaped from the driver's position. It features cruise control and even auto-saved rider pre-sets. Surf gates on both sides cater to natural and goofy footers. 

The Cobalt patented ‘Swim Step’ lowers below the water line from the large swim platform at the stern. The forward drive maximises boarding safety with the props facing the bow.

There’s a bolster style helm seat, with all the onboard instruments and functions within easy reach. Our test unit featured twin Garmin 10-inch multi-function touchscreens, and the menu structure is user-friendly – even for those of us born around the time of Cobalt’s original conception!

The Cobalt R8 Surf has a traditional layout. Its centre-opening stainless-steel-rimmed windscreen has excellent wind deflection and easy access to the plush bow area. There’s a plug-in table and an abundance of cup holders throughout the interior. 

Back in the cockpit, the passenger seat has a flip-over backrest to accommodate forward vision or a comfortable north-south lounge for spotting and socialising. The size of the comfortable enclosed head is huge, with easy doorway access beneath the passenger dashboard.

The port-side lounge also extends in an L-shape at the transom to form a rear lounge. It features another flip-over backrest onto the rear sundeck and a unique choice of three positions – face forward, face aft and full down – to extend sun pad space. The rear sun pad is called the ‘rumble seat’ as it adjusts to two positions for sun baking and lounging. 

The rear lounge is based on a very convenient lift-up engine box, exposing the engine bay for easy servicing. Cobalt offers engine options from 350 to 430hp.

The rear platform is accessed via a starboard walkway, and there’s another side lounge behind the driver’s helm.

While Cobalt has always provided exceptional trim quality, the R8 is now also showing just a hint of Malibu design and texture. The upholstery, including the side trims, has thick cushioning with a colour range of marine synthetics featuring heat-reducing French stitching and Fresco Chil Vinyl. It is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and mildew- and stain-resistant.

There are storage, removable cooler and wet box options underneath the seats and floor, with ‘Sof-Trac’ flooring throughout.

Overhead, our R8 was fitted with an electric-folding CNC-machined targa arch, one of the five options available. It provided not only a tow point and structure for the bimini and optional soft awnings, but also neon lighting, wakeboard storage and a high mount for four Harmon Kardon tower speakers mated to a platinum sound system.

While speed really isn’t a major wake boat criterion, the R8 does provide versatility. With a little negative trim, she bounces quickly with very little bow rise and is on a plane at 3200rpm with a cruising speed of 19.4 knots (36km/h). Unfortunately, fuel flow was unavailable.

The hull transitions predictably throughout the rev range to 25.2 knots (46.7km/h) at 4000rpm, and the V8 really starts to get into a groove at 33.8 knots (62.6km/h) at 5000rpm.

With a light load and two on board, we achieved Wide Open Throttle (WOT) at 5850rpm and 41.8 knots (77.4km/h).

If speed is your thing, I am sure the R8 Surf could be re-propped to achieve more top end, but that’s not the point of this combination. Instead, it’s built for carrying large passenger and ballast loads, pushing plenty of water and towing skiers/surfers etc.

Light load, two passengers, fuel consumption not available.

The R8 Surf is a responsive and manoeuvrable package with a very solid Kevlar-reinforced synthetic hull and floor. It has power to please, an adjustable wake, comfortable layout, plenty of creature comforts and a solid construction that will stand the test of time.

Cobalt has backed the R8 with a 10-, five- and three-year warranty structure.

Model: Cobalt R8 Surf

Hull length: 8.48m

Beam: 2.59m

Hull weight: 3039kg (approx.)

Maximum power: 430hp 

Engine as tested: Volvo Penta 6.2-litre 430 V8 with forward drive

Fuel: 303L

Passengers: Yacht certified

Priced from: $468,784

Price as tested: $623,060

Supplied by: JSW Powersports – jswpowersports.com.au