2006 Cobalt Boats COBALT 220, 2006 Cobalt
https://cobaltboats.com/art/brochures/Cobalt_2006.pdf
DRIVING PLEASURE
Despite being a mere 22-footer, the Cobalt feels seaworthy, safe and smooth. Its handling is a shining example of what boatbuilders strive to achieve when they use monocoque construction methods.
In other words, nothing moves, squeaks, rattles or reverberates. In fact, in some ways the Cobalt 220 feels like a bluewater boat when driven into the fray.
Put through its paces, the Cobalt 220 delivered an exhilarating tour of not only the harbour, but also the more open expanses between the Heads known as The Sound. Contained by comfortable helms seats, with clear vision ahead, the boat allows drivers to venture places where other fat-bodied bowriders would shudder to go. And at speed, too.
Among the features of the hull is an extended running surface. The aft sections of hull either side of the motor provide lift, stability at rest and underway - and buoyancy for the big-block V8 and weight of the crew seated on the rear lounge. At 2.62m wide, it's also a beamy boat that requires a permit to tow (check state regulations). Dry weight is 1890kg, to which you will also need to add the weight of the trailer.
Measuring 24ft overall, including big boarding platform, the Cobalt 220 hull carries 20° of deadrise. This qualifies it as a deep-vee; however, I have driven more deeply veed hulls that weren't so smooth. Which is why I attribute the boat's performance as much to the monocoque construction as to the hull shape.
Cobalt uses a fibreglass stringer system attached to the hull with Plexus - an eight-layer lamination process that overlaps at the chines and keel - and additional Kevlar reinforcing. Aside from a barrier coat to help prevent osmosis, the boat is converted with something called Spraycor. This material supposedly increases stiffness as well as providing sound deadening.
A composite lay-up is used for the high-load transom, and walls of the liner feature Nida-core - a kind of high-tech honeycomb material. All the deck gear is stainless steel and through-bolted to aluminium plates. Even the bimini framework and adjustors are stainless steel. No straps whatsoever.
The Cobalt 220 is water tested and backed by a 10-year transferable hull and deck warranty. You get five years on most of the engineering including the motor and electronics, and two years on the finish - which includes an upholstered dash, flip-up bolsters on the seats, composite seat bases, leather-wrapped wheel, big stainless-steel scuff plate in the bow and built-in headlights.
All the seating, be it in the bow or the sunpad over the transom, is sculptured in such a way as to provide terrific support when cruising. There are stainless-steel grabrails, bump-free mouldings and lots of thick but accommodating stitched vinyl. No staples to be seen.
Being a deep hull contributes to the sense of security when crossing steep boat wake. Taken slow or fast, the boat doesn't ship water. Seated up front or behind, you feel as though you're in the saddle on the Cobalt 220 as opposed to riding bareback.
