Cobra 850 Freeboard

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Greyhound

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Anyone have any suggestions on why my Cobra 850 has 3 inches less freeboard than standard? I've always thought she looked sleeker than others but put it down to her dark blue hull giving the illusion. Now moored next to another 850 and mine is physically lower. Both are fin keelers, modern engines, usual cruising kit etc. She's not sinking either...I did check the bilge ;). Anyone know if two variants of the same hull were made? Different moulds? Extra ballast? Any thoughts welcome! Thanks.
 
Greyhound said:
Anyone have any suggestions on why my Cobra 850 has 3 inches less freeboard than standard? I've always thought she looked sleeker than others but put it down to her dark blue hull giving the illusion. Now moored next to another 850 and mine is physically lower. Both are fin keelers, modern engines, usual cruising kit etc. She's not sinking either...I did check the bilge ;). Anyone know if two variants of the same hull were made? Different moulds? Extra ballast? Any thoughts welcome! Thanks.
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Friend had one that was specified by the original owner with a heavier lead keel.

Quite a few were home finished could yours have a much heavier internal layout than the one you are comparing with.

Bigger heavier engine? oh sorry nnot that then

3" is a lot of displacement though!

Good heavy boats the crew will give up before the boat.:)

We managed to sleep with 9 on board for one night!

There used to be an owner web site not sure if still current.
 
Used to own a Bilge Keel 850, and for a couple of seasons we were moored alongside another Bilge Keel 850. We actually floated about two inches lower than our neighbour. We put this down to the fact that his 850 had been completed from a kit whilst mine had been finished by Cobra Yachts.

It could well be the case that you may have more ballast...I met David Feltham at a Cobra Rally and one of the topics discussed was that of ballast. David actually commented that if he could put the 850 back on the drawing board, the one thing that he would change would be the amount of ballast that she carries. He felt that she needed quite a bit more as she is a bit tender when carrying full sail.

Maybe you are fortunate enough to have extra ballast?
 
Thanks for your thoughts! Both were yard completed, although I believe mine was one of the last built. Perhaps as production progressed they decided to add extra ballast/lead instead of iron...I'll take a magnet to the keel next time she's lifted/dried out. Given that was the case with your friend's TSB I imagine this is this most likely reason. I can't see that they would have changed the mould late in the production run as that wouldn't be economical..

She does sail very well upwind particularly, and is pretty stiff too. Very pleased so far. Owned for just about a year now.

I think the owner's website is being wound up due to lack of interest sadly..
 
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