Cobalt boats launch a serious assault in Australia

The famous Cobalt boat brand from Kansas, USA, is ramping up its presence in Australia, with a new national importer, dealer, dedicated showroom and increased fleet of 2017 models arriving on the Gold Coast.

One of the most successful family boatbuilders worldwide, Cobalt has partnered with Australian boating identity Brett Thurley to create a new distributorship with ambitions to grow its brand's presence and dealer network in Australia.

The new entity, Cobalt Australia, is owned by Mr Thurley and already up and running. The Gold-Coast-based business will now oversee the branding, marketing, dealer appointments and boat show strategy for Cobalt Australia-wide. 

ROLLS ROYCE OF SPORTSBOATS
Considered the Rolls Royce of sportsboats, runabout and wakeboats, each Cobalt is built around a sweet performing deep-vee hull and engine combination. Available in outboard and sterndrive configurations, the Cobalts are renowned for their especially sweet ride and top-notch build quality.

Mr Thurley said the first of the 2017 Cobalts he would be marketing arrives in Australia next month (November 2016) and will be on display at his new Cobalt showroom at Coomera.

The initial order includes the athletic 200 and 220 sports bowrider, R3 wide-beam luxury bowrider (opening photo), cool retro CS3, R5 surf with ballast and trim control, A25 with deep-vee 21 degree hull for a 'Bentley' ride, and exceptional 26 SD summer lifestyle platform with pickle-fork bow.

Every new 2017 Cobalt will be sold with a five-year engine warranty, 10-year structural warranty, and three-year component warranty, which have been significantly increased and are among the strongest and longest in the business.

Cobalt Boats of Queensland will be marketing the full range of Cobalt vessels which stretches from 20 to 45 feet. There will be family runabouts, cuddy cabin cruisers as well as wake-surf boats, plus a new outboard runabout range debuting in 2017.

"They are one of the few boat manufacturing companies that actually increased its market share during the GFC and we are privileged to be representing them in this county," Mr Thurley adds.

THE COBALT CONNECTION
Cobalt boats have always enjoyed a loyal international following as well as holding the number one position in the highly competitive 22ft to 30ft domestic American boat market.

But for Cobalt Australia’s managing director, Brett Thurley, Cobalt is a natural fit. The accomplished waterskier and performance-boat enthusiast has owned three of the prestige Cobalts over the years.

"I have a relationship with Cobalt dating back over 20 years when I worked and lived in the US.

"I have seen the company and their boats go from strength to strength and more importantly watched how they treat their staff, dealers and clients.

"They have no peer in the industry in my opinion," Mr Thurley says.

GOLD COAST SHOWROOM
The brand's big relaunch in Australia includes the Cobalt Boats of Queensland retail dealership at Gold Coast City Marina, where a purpose-built new Cobalt indoor showroom will display the latest 2017 models.

The new Queensland dealership will include on-water demonstration, dry storage, and in-water berthing facilities at the marina, said Thurley.

"A huge thanks to Trent and Pat Gay and the team at GCCM for supporting the launch of Cobalt here at the marina, so we can professionally present and support the brand with both Volvo and MerCruiser corporate offices and service agents located here on site as well," he said.

"Cobalt is a private family-owned company based in Kansas that has been operating for nearly 50 years and their boats are considered the Roll's Royce's of their niche of the market.

"They are stylish, perform brilliantly and are beautifully finished and they have a strong following both here and overseas.

"The two main areas of superior quality are, in my opinion, the engineering of the initial designs and the longevity and stability of their south east Kansas workforce."

NATIONAL COBALT DEALERS
Cobalt has been represented in Australia by Dennis and Tracey Souvleris at JD’s Boat Shed for many years and they are familiar to many Cobalt owners. They will continue to grow their business in the NSW market, said Mr Thurley.

"Dennis and Tracey have done a great job building the brand so far in Australia and we look forward to expanding that base throughout Queensland and beyond," he said.

Mr Thurley is currently assessing dealer applications in Victoria and Western Australia and will announce appointments later this year in those markets.

More from Cobalt of Australia, Managing Director Brett Thurley. Phone: (07) 55194 019. Email: brett@cobaltqld.com.au. See www.cobaltboats.com.