Cobalt R8 - No compromise family boating

By Andy Adams

Classically elegant styling, outstanding performance and all the latest features characterize the Cobalt R8, the same qualities buyers would expect from an S Class Mercedes or a Seven Series BMW. Fortunately, dealers order new boats with the options and features they know their customers would want. Otherwise, there would be a lot of choices to make!

Cobalt’s R8 is available in a regular dayboat trim or a surf version, and the various models offer a range of engine choices including outboard versions. There are various helm, interior and convenience features, several choices for the head compartment and specialized equipment to transform this all-round family boat into a serious wake surfing tow boat, or anything in between.

Work with your dealer to get the boat you really want, with no compromises.

COBALT HISTORY

Cobalt Boats was founded in 1968 by Paxson St. Clair in Neodesha, Kansas, where they began manufacturing high-end speedboats, small cruisers and runabouts and mid-to large-size sterndrive boats. More recently, they have expanded into the surf and outboard markets, as well as larger family cruisers. Today, Cobalt builds boats from approximately 19 to 40 feet with MerCruiser or Volvo Penta sterndrives, some with optional outboard power as well.

The company places a premium on meticulous construction and technical excellence in its designs and has built their reputation on quality instead of price, earning Cobalt a top-of-the-list position for customer satisfaction.

Cobalt has maintained in-house design and tooling. As of 2017, they were producing more than 2000 boats per year in the Neodesha facility and generated approximately $140 million in net sales between March 2016 and 2017, selling 24 models through a dealer network of 132 locations in the United States, Canada and overseas.

The swim platform is surrounded by stainless steel handrails so you can hang on while swimming, and the centre section of the platform is a swing down step or seat, a patented Cobalt feature.

In July 2017, competitor Malibu Boats acquired Cobalt Boats in a $130 million deal, with Malibu maintaining Cobalt manufacturing operations in Kansas and adding Cobalt CEO Paxson St. Clair to its board of directors. Malibu plans to continue the Cobalt brand and maintain its presence in Kansas.

On top of the well-established Cobalt reputation, this new corporate structure brings a high level of wake sports design, features and expertise into the equation.

The Cobalt comes with beautiful stainless steel hardware.

COMING ABOARD OUR R8 TEST BOAT
On a glorious sunny day in July last summer, we met the Cobalt team at Lefroy Harbour on Lake Simcoe, Ontario, and stepped aboard the R8. Most often you will board from the swim platform at the stern, though there is a convenient step on the starboard side where you can use the top or the arch as a handhold.

The stern is a highlight on this boat, starting with the swim platform, which is a very generous size and includes the patented Cobalt special feature of a swing down boarding step. You pull a spring-loaded catch that allows the centre section of the swim platform to swing up and out, making a step down into the water. It’s great for reboarding, or as a place to sit and cool off in the water.

The swim platform can include stereo speakers and remote, a light-up “R8” crest, non-slip cushioned flooring and more. The walk-through is on starboard and has floor lighting and available shower to rinse off. Another cool addition on the test boat was the underwater lighting—a great feature for an after-dark dip.

The R8 sterndrive version has what they call the “Rumble Seat”, a large flip-back convertible stern seat lounger with pop-up backrest. People can face aft to watch riders or face forward when cruising. You can also just stretch out and tan. It’s very versatile, and the top lifts electrically for access to the engine. There’s lots of space for the service techs to get in—always appreciated!

More transom details include speakers on the transom as well as the handsome Cobalt R8 crest, which is available in a light up version.

The richly upholstered interior with French stitched seams starts at the stern and runs all the way forward to the bow. The cushions help silence the engine, and Cobalt includes gaskets under the hatch lids to block sound and water.

To starboard, by the walk-through, the step-in lifts to reveal a sink and faucet. Ahead is a locker that accommodates a cooler for bringing food and drinks onboard, which can also house a big sub-woofer. There was no cooking facility on the test boat, but owners could mount a gas BBQ on the swim platform for picnic lunches. There is a trash-locker in the step-through.

Up the port side of the interior is a big side seat that connects to the companion seat, making a C-shape. This puts guests facing inward for a social setting. There are six drink holders on the port side, more on starboard. A mount is included for a removable table. The port side seat lid lifts on gas struts, revealing a deep locker for bulky items. This could easily hold your BBQ, for example. Skis and boards are accommodated in lockers in the centre of the floor. Cobalt includes floor lighting in several places for safety at night, right up to the bow.

The companion seat is almost double-wide, and again, the backrest can face forward or back. Plus, this seat has a flip-up bolster so you can better see over the windshield at night.

The helm seat wit flip-up bolster is beautifully upholstered. The steering tilts, there is a unique polished floor section with rubber inserts for the driver, and straight ahead are twin Garmin displays.

STAINLESS STEEL HARDWARE

It’s worth a separate mention that Cobalt fits this boat out with beautiful polished stainless-steel hardware, starting with rails on the edge of the swim platform that swimmers can reach from the water. There are well-placed cleats and chafe guards, and the boat includes four fender clips. These clever pieces let you hang a fender in seconds. To remove it, push the button in and it slides out. Great feature!

The R8 also gets a standard ski pylon. Our test boat had the folding Bimini roof, so the pylon is where you would attach a tow rope, but many buyers will get one of the optional arches that can be electrically operated, fitted with speakers, board racks and various Biminis or sunshades.

Stainless steel rails and handholds are everywhere you would want them, continuing all the way to the bow area and to the scuff plate where the anchor shank passes through the stem. The electric windlass is in the anchor locker, and that lid is on a gas strut like most of the other doors and hatches.

A very convenient wireless cell phone charger beside the helm.

ALL DAY COMFORT

The port side console is large because it was designed to house the head compartment. This is comfortably spacious and has a Porta-Potti standard, but you can upgrade to a porcelain bowl with macerator and holding tank. The console swings open for access. Step down and you have comfortable sitting height, a sink, light and opening porthole.

The helm is really special, with a stainless-steel floor plate and a Del Mar Helm Captains chair that was beautifully upholstered and, on the test boat, electrically adjustable for reach and height. The wheel tilts, and the controls are all well-located and intuitive.

The seating position was comfortable and provided excellent outward vision as well as plenty of foot room. The instrument binnacle has a French-stitched brow shading the twin 8-inch Garmin multi-function displays. Depth sounder and water temperature are included. You can display your engine instruments on one side and cartography or wake-sports settings on the other.

The bow area is a highlight with armrests for added comfort. The starboard side is a single forward-facing seat, while a filler cushion turns the port side into a wrap around sun lounge. There is big storage in the helm console plus more storage under the seats.

A row of lighted and clearly marked switches control most important functions, and the Volvo Penta controls are very comfortable to use. With the 380hp Volvo Penta power choice, you get their Eletronic Vessel Control (EVC) system with Power Trim Assist (PTA) and Cruise Control. When engaged, the system will trim the drive to the optimum position automatically. Power steering makes driving light and precise. The performance was very impressive. The Volvo Penta V8 380 is one of the new aluminum V8s, based on the highly successful General Motors Gen-V block and incorporating a combination of technical features, including direct fuel injection, providing better low-end torque and fuel efficiency.

Closed-loop fresh-water cooling is standard, and the engine has variable valve timing to optimize torque across the full acceleration range.

PERFORMANCE

The Volvo Penta 380 is a gem, with great thrust and performance and unobtrusive but rich sound, and adds to the R8’s appeal. The boat has very little bow rise when accelerating; the deep vee hull just picks up speed. The driver’s view is always clear, and you can select your speed for passenger comfort, wake sports towing, or just a 50mph blast across the bay. This is a very versatile boat!

We learned that another Cobalt dealer found their R8 hit a top speed of 50mph at 6,050rpm and recorded 0 to plane 5.0 seconds.

The entire rumble seat lifts for easy access to the engine. There’s also a divider on the port side for lines or fenders. Also, notice several drink holders and power points on the interior panels. The boat is very well equipped!

The stern drive versions give you the big and unobstructed swim platform, but you could also choose single or twin outboard power. Boating magazine reported an R8 with twin Yamaha 300’s topping out at 64mph. That’s almost too fast for typical family use, but the point is that the hull is so well designed that the R8 can make those speeds.

With a mile long list of options on this handsome and spacious dayboat, you and your Cobalt dealer can spec’ out the exact boat you want.