Cobalt Unveils 2016 Lineup Targeting Younger Boaters

More than 400 Cobalt Boats dealers gathered at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada last week to see the company’s 2016 model year lineup, including several new models.

All-new for 2016 is the company’s Gateway series of fiberglass runabouts, led by the 23-foot CS3 model featuring a completely new hull and deck design. Targeting younger, more price-sensitive boaters, the CS3 features an island sunpad with port and starboard walk-throughs at the transom.

Also new for 2016 is a Coupe version of the Cobalt A40, first introduced in 2015 as a hardtop model. The Coupe previews a sleek windshield and integrated top design with a sliding sunroof and a retractable shade integrated into the design.

New to the company’s premium bowrider line is the 2016 R30 model with upscale, versatile seating options and generous storage making it perfect for family day trips. The largest model in the company’s bowrider series, the R30 features an electrically actuated swim step at the stern, portside head and changing room compartment, glass cockpit design at the helm, and huge sunpad large enough to accommodate four people.

Cobalt also showed a new Water Sports Edition of its R5 bowrider powered by Volvo Penta’s unique Forward Drive system. The R5 WSS Surf is said to combine all of the advantages of a sterndrive coupled with the wake-making capabilities of Volvo Penta’s forward drive system.

Building on the success of the Market One series of pontoon boats introduced earlier this year, the new ML4 model will be priced aggressively to lure younger buyers.

Cobalt also announced additions to its brand-new Marker One pontoon boat series, first unveiled in early 2015. The all-new ML4 model features new exterior and interior styling with L-shaped lounge seating, and “an aggressive price point” says the company. Engine choices include outboards from Mercury, Yamaha, or Evinrude.