Cobalt R26 Adds 26ft Runabout With Up to 430hp and 14-Person Capacity

A 26ft hull carries up to 14 people

The R26 measures 26ft 5in overall and is rated for up to fourteen people, keeping it comfortably inside LBG's sub-12m boundary while offering substantial passenger capacity. Cobalt positions the model as a flexible sport runabout rather than a specialised fishing or watersports platform.

Engine choices from Volvo, Monsoon and MerCruiser extend to 430hp, giving buyers several stern-drive packages. Owners should match power to normal loading, local speed limits and watersports needs rather than assuming the maximum rating is automatically the best option.

Watersports storage is built into the stern

An extra-long swim platform supports swimming and boarding, while an aft portside storage compartment is intended for boards, skis and inflatable toys. That keeps bulky watersports equipment away from the main cockpit when it is not being used.

Flexible seating lets the same cockpit support cruising, social use and activity days. On a boat below eight metres, convertible spaces and dedicated gear storage can make a larger difference to day-to-day usability than adding another permanent seating zone.

Garmin displays and joystick docking update the helm

The helm can be equipped with dual nine-inch or twelve-inch Garmin displays, while available equipment includes joystick docking and a rear-view camera. Tower choices include an electrically folding version and a new Ultra-Lite Hardtop on Cobalt's redesigned Prisma Tower.

Those systems bring features once associated with larger yachts into a trailerable runabout. Buyers should still consider battery capacity, electronic redundancy and the learning required to use joystick systems safely rather than treating automation as a replacement for basic boat handling.

Comfort features broaden family use

The R26 includes side entry and a standard portable toilet, with options such as a sink, dinette table, upgraded audio and custom finishes. Cobalt says the aim is to balance performance with enough comfort for longer days rather than build a stripped speedboat.

For LBG readers, the R26 is a clear small-boat story: it combines high horsepower, modern electronics and watersports equipment in a 26ft package. The practical ownership questions remain towing, storage, fuel use and whether fourteen-person capacity will actually be needed.

Official sources: marinebusiness.news.