Comments on Cobra

Spottydog · 01 December 2006, 09:20

We are about to buy our first RIB. Fell in love with the Picton Cobra 7.5m. Know a Vipermax 7m (ribster rache) and a 7m Coastline. Very nice but a bit on the serious side for us. Keep going back to the Cobra, can't afford a Scorpion. We are looking for a comfortable leisure RIB for playing around Anglesey, and not a serious offshore beast. Any comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Nick Hearne · 01 December 2006, 10:19

For what you want I would say it will be great!
Nearly bought one but picking this up on Sunday fitted our speck even better!

Milo72 · 01 December 2006, 11:51

I'm selling this if you're interested.... http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F125840/
07971 25 85 15 give me a shout if you like...

Jeff · 01 December 2006, 11:55

I may be biased given I am on my second Cobra >>> not in Nautique spec though. Upgrade from a 5.5 to a 6.0 is significant in terms of ride and I assume a 7.5 will be amazing.
Have had access to other marques in the mortals end of the market and have to say the Cobra gives a great sense of security in any sea I would want (or not) to be caught in. Good dry ride and generally well constructed. Main criticism is the sealing of deck voids; cable and fuel tank access ducts, which often need re-sealing with a good adhesive sealant (ala Wickes high performance) ; and then no trouble with water in the hull. I cannot understand why Dave cannot get this easy bit right ? They are solid, well built but are heavy compared to others.
I guess the Scorpion is close to the ultimate given feedback everywhere - but beyond my reach.
Lots of good advice on this forum which will help, but do have sea trials - in poor conditions, to judge for yourself. A RIB purchase is driven as much by the heart as analysis of technical performance.
Enjoy !!!!
Jeff

codprawn · 01 December 2006, 13:24

I like the Cobras and as a family boat they take some beating. Not the best in extreme conditions but what family wants to be out in those? Resale is excellent. There is a commercial 10m running around Swansea that works very hard for it's living - still going strong after many years.

Aidan · 01 December 2006, 18:21

Hi Guys, was going to buy 7.5 cobra, lovely boat, I know some people who have one with 200 Optiplex on the back. They got 60kts or MPH dont recall, giving it a blast across the bay. Very solid but I think Codprawn is right about the heavy duty bit...Not sure about the heavy seas but then who the hell wants that.
Question tho, How come Dave never lets anyone wlse drive in all (yes all) the brochure pics I have ever seen on Cobra...
Dave, you beed a few "Babes" on the boat, they look better than you, in Bikini pref....
Done deal on Ballistic 6.5, it should be enough for where I am going God willing!

Aidan · 02 December 2006, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aidan

Hi Guys, was going to buy 7.5 cobra, lovely boat, I know some people who have one with 200 Optiplex on the back. They got 60kts or MPH dont recall, giving it a blast across the bay. Very solid but I think Codprawn is right about the heavy duty bit...Not sure about the heavy seas but then who the hell wants that.
Question tho, How come Dave never lets anyone wlse drive in all (yes all) the brochure pics I have ever seen on Cobra...
Dave, you beed a few "Babes" on the boat, they look better than you, in Bikini pref....
Done deal on Ballistic 6.5, it should be enough for where I am going God willing!

Hi, I knew I saw a boat for you to check out...
http://www.ribs4sale.com/details.php?id=1044

Just came across it .

Aidan

Nick Hearne · 03 December 2006, 19:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aidan

Hi, I knew I saw a boat for you to check out...
http://www.ribs4sale.com/details.php?id=1044

Just came across it .

Aidan

Looked at this one, the upholstery is looking a bit tatty & did not like the big sunbed/locker!

Aidan · 04 December 2006, 18:35

Hi nick,

I guess the upholstry is easy to change, the rest is not.

Aidan

Spottydog · 05 December 2006, 07:20

Thank you all for your comments.

I can now go and change our personal details on our username as we went and did the dirty deed at Dave Pictons yesterday - a 2005 7.5 Nautique with the 250 Evinrude ETEC.

Don't forget - if it turns out to be rubbish I will blame you lot coz you told me to buy one ;-)

Thanks again. Looking forward to meeting some of you guys next summer.

Mike and Jane.

Nick Hearne · 05 December 2006, 08:03

Excellent, have fun!

Ribster Rache · 05 December 2006, 12:22

Congratulations! Cant wait to see her on the water

Jeff · 05 December 2006, 19:04

Congratulations >>> looks fab.
Hope you have a lot of fun in her.
Jeff

MonoMicky · 10 December 2006, 13:30

Nice Boat ... Looks Great. I bought a Cobra 6.0M earlier this year ... Doesnt quite compare with Rog and Rache's Vipermax in the rough (Went out with them in some pretty rough stuff at the end of last season

) but I am sure you wont be disapointed ... an excellent all rounder

Look forward to seeing it on the water next season.

Spottydog · 11 December 2006, 09:44

Hi Mono,

Yeah, saw yours in the barn a week or two ago when we went to help Rog get his out to take it home....looked really nice and probably helped us to decide on a Cobra.

I am going to try to squeeze "Fang" into that barn when it arrives (think the tubes will have to be let down - it's a bit tight isn't it!!)

I didn't think it would be as good as the Vipermax in the very rough stuff, but then I'm not planning on going out in the weather that Ribster Rache does anyway!! I prefer the comfort of the Cobra.

Perhaps we should start the Anglesey and North Wales Cobra Appreciation Society??!!??

Hope to meet you on the water next spring.

Mike.

Jeff · 11 December 2006, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spottydog

Hi Mono,

I didn't think it would be as good as the Vipermax in the very rough stuff, but then I'm not planning on going out in the weather that Ribster Rache does anyway!! I prefer the comfort of the Cobra.

Mike.

Spotty/Mono
Dont go thinking Cobras are only good for flat seas

..... more capable than many out there ...... and quite forgiving of mistakes by the cox

Enjoy
Jeff

MonoMicky · 11 December 2006, 23:41

Jeff .... No way do I underestimate the capability of the cobra in the rough .... or its ability to cope with my cock ups at the helm

... Ive done both ... and together too!!! I am really pleased with it and have been out in some pretty rough waters that I wouldnt normally bother with just for the sake of testing it ... and it passed .. flying colours !! The 7.5M should be even better ... They are great in the rough and have plenty of luxury and comfort too ... a good all rounder

Mike .... look forward to seeing it on the water .... there must be a few more boats in the barn now ... only mine and Rogers when I went.

Spottydog · 12 December 2006, 11:28

mono/Jeff...............

I'm sure Fang will be more than enough for our needs............at the end of the day we chose a Cobra not a Osprey

Jeff..... do you ever launch around here? if you do give us a shout

Mono... just yours and Rog boats in the barn 3wks ago but by the time ours goes in there I doubt there will be much room left.

Jane

Jeff · 12 December 2006, 19:34

Hi Jane
Not been to Anglesey for at least 7 years - keep meaning to but the only launch site I ever used was Treaddur Bay >>> and I have an aversion to beach launches after some 'fun' in Largs a few years ago ..... nearly provided a company car as a new wreck site

Thanks for the offer - my mate has just got a Cobra 5.5 so we ought to make an effort to meet up > 4 together in sunny (North) Wales may bring a tear to Daves eyes ( as he thinks of his bank account !!

)
Jeff

Spottydog · 13 December 2006, 12:44

oops! hope the car was ok.

have never launched on Anglesey, maybe Mono can help out here, so can't recommend anywhere but it does sound like the makings of a great day out.
We should invite Dave Picton!! what a day we had with him in Cardiff Bay for our test drive.....
the weather was really foul, all gales and rain , it was definatly more than a possible sale that got us on the water.
We were all drenched ( do I need to get used to that now we've got a rib? )but still smiling at the end so who cares.
He came away with a sale and we got a great boat.

Hows Chesterfield.......we bought our 2nd and 3rd boats from Nationwide so remember it well.

Jane