Cobalt Boats for Sale

Cobalt Boats: what to know

Cobalt build sterndrive bowriders and day boats in Kansas and have spent decades at the top of every owner satisfaction survey in the category. They are the boat people buy when the fit and the finish matter as much as the length, and they are priced to match.

What to check before you buy

• On a sterndrive, the bellows and the gimbal bearing are service items. Ask when they were last done.
• Their upholstery and hardware outlast most of the market, so tired trim on a Cobalt usually means the boat had a hard life rather than a long one.
• Check the transom and the engine bay for any smell of fuel, and run the blower before you start it.
• They hold value strongly, so compare a used one against a new plainer boat before assuming used is cheaper.

Common questions

Are Cobalt boats worth the money?

If you care about how a boat is finished, yes: the joinery, the upholstery and the hardware are a visible step above most of the category. If you mainly want length and seating for the money, you will get more of both elsewhere.

Sterndrive or outboard on a Cobalt?

They have built both. A sterndrive gives the clean transom and the big swim platform that people buy Cobalts for; an outboard is easier to service and better in salt. On fresh water it usually comes down to price and taste.

How long do Cobalts last?

The hull and the joinery routinely outlive the engine. On any boat over ten years old, budget for the power and the systems rather than worrying about the structure.