Cobalt Boats Forum

My 2019 R5 won’t start. The key turns over perfectly like it always does, battery is strong, I hear a beep from the engine and then nothing. No error messages on the dash. It’s like in a car when the alternator won’t start. Wondering if anyone had this problem and can offer any advice.

Thanks you to be for your replies. No idea what is going on with it - dealer said it may have something to do with the wiring harness. This is my third cobalt and it’s been a real lemon.

Recently my dash is remaining dark when I start the boat. So I have no view of my instruments at all. If I restart 5-10 times it will eventually wake up and work fine until I shut off the motor again. I’m afraid that sooner or later it will go out permanently. Has anyone else experienced this? Btw, ...

I have a new R5 and its had numerous problems. I've had new Cobalts before and there is no doubt in my mind that the quality of the boat has plummeted since Malibu bought them. But so be it. The latest fiasco is that the stereo system will not allow me to decrease the volume. It suddenly jumped up t...

If you have kids who love tubing, wake boarding and surfing...$300 per weekend

I just bought one with a black bottom that I pick up on Monday. I think it looks pretty sharp but given the responses on this thread I might now the reason it was the last one for sale in the dealership. Ha ha.

I take delivery of my R5s Monday and this thread makes me nervous. I haven’t bought a cobalt in11 years and this new Malibu ownership makes me cautious.

Wow, thank you all for the terrific feedback. I greatly appreciate it.

The boat is an R5 with tower, it will be stored on a covered lift, and it will rarely if ever be towed on the highway.

I really want the option that is easiest to put on and take off.

I'd greatly appreciate any advice you guys have. Thanks

One thing about the R5 surf boat, you give up the main floor locker storage for a ballast tank. You should definitely compare the two for storage. I've surfed behind both a Malibu and a R5 surf and the waves are way different. If you've never surfed before the cobalt will be fine, but if you get re...

Big Block Power wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2019 6:22 am

Bwilford wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2019 6:18 am We are at Tims Ford. Brand new to it. Its down between Nashville and Chattanooga.

You bought a Cobalt from a Ford dealer. Oh my

We are at Tims Ford. Brand new to it. Its down between Nashville and Chattanooga.

Thank you all so much for the insight and advice. I’m really grateful. And based on it I pulled the trigger. I’m hoping that the surf wave is good enough, although it clearly wont be “world class”. And the lake we are at is deep everywhere (30 ft at my dock) so I think I’ll be okay with the forward ...

I'm close to breaking the bank, jeopardizing my retirement, and buying a new Cobalt. I've never surfed but definitely want to learn. And to do so I am thinking about spending the extra dough to get the Surf over a standard R5. Can anyone let me know if you have any thoughts on the following... -When...