[rogerse@sbcglobal.net]

I just sold my 96 cobalt 190. I would like to buy early 2000 262. I have found two One has 310 hp the other 500. I would prefer somewhere in between. I wonder if 310hp would be sufficent. I am 55 have 4 grandchildren 1 to 6. This will be the last boat i buy. Any ideas on the two motors?

[Mike250]

I have a Cobalt 250 with the 496 mag and it runs great even with a full load of fuel and friends. The 262 is a pretty hefty boat for the 310 hp motor. It depends on what your looking for as far as performance. The 500 hp is a bit overkill but would provide stunning performance and may not use much more fuel than the 310 hp depending on how you drive it.

I've had several boats over the years and I always go with the larger engine option. If this is your last boat purchase go for it!

[dennison17]

I bought a Cobalt 240 a few years ago and was glad I followed the advice of another 240 owner to go with the big engine (8.1 liter). I was hesitant at first because of the price of gas, etc... but I've found that I don't go through that much more gas... probably because of the way I drive it. I'm 60 years old and tend to just go slower, etc. I think I burn fairly close to what the mid-size block would burn. AND, if I need the power to pull wakeboarders / waterskiers, it's there. You won't be sorry with the bigger motor!! That 262 is a heavy dude!

PS
I know you said this might be your last boat....but re-sale with the bigger motor is better too.

[cobaltcliff]

I live in Lake Tahoe. I own a 2002 Cobalt 226 with a 6.2 MPI and a Bravo 3 outdrive. I bought it new. The 6.2 is a great engine. I loose about 18% of my power due to the altitude. I'm at about 6,000 feet above sea level. With 6 people on board, I'm still able to run a top speed of 55 mph. When I bought the boat I did consider the 496 v-8 option, but the added weight and the gas consumstion I choose the 6.2. I have friends with the 350 mag and there is no compairiosion. Lake Tahoe is a large lake. We can go all day and cruise the lake as long as I keep my foot out of it. We will normaly burn about 16-gal. of fuel. The larger motor was going to give me about 5-10 miles per hour on the top end. At sea level I running about 65 mph top end and that is with out changing my props. I am very happy with my choice in engines.
Good Luck and happy boating!

[drpeeb]

Originally Posted by rogerse@sbcglobal.net

I just sold my 96 cobalt 190. I would like to buy early 2000 262. I have found two One has 310 hp the other 500. I would prefer somewhere in between. I wonder if 310hp would be sufficent. I am 55 have 4 grandchildren 1 to 6. This will be the last boat i buy. Any ideas on the two motors?

If $ isn't a problem, the bigger engine. You can't go wrong with it.

1) You will still not have "too much power"; If you want less power, just pull the throttle back! If you get the smaller engine & want more power: Uh-oh, new boat?!!

2) What happens when 1 to 6 become 10 to 16 and they want to ski 2 or 3 at a time??!!! "Sorry kids, we don't have the power for it."

3) And ... You only "think" this is your last boat! Boat owners always get another boat! They're fun & new boats are exciting!

[Rasta]

My 2000 262 Had the 454 magnum whcih was 385 hp (last year for the old 454). Cruised 2900 RPM at around 30 MPH. Top end was 54 at aroudn 4700 RPM. 310 hp woudl be too little power IMO.