Spotlight: 2019 Cobalt 23SC

Cobalt's third outboard engined model is priced from $134,000. It will feature at a special presentation at Martha Cove Marina on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula on March 16-17.

The Cobalt 23SC follows the arrival of the Cobalt 25SC, the first outboard-powered model in the US boat-maker’s line-up in more than 30 years and launched in late 2017, and the 30SC launched ealy in 2018.

The arrival of lighter, more powerful outboard engines has allowed Cobalt to offer its traditionally stern drive boats with an outboard engine option, bringing benefits including the ability to raise the engine out of the water when not in use. It also helps with servicing and maintenance, which can often be carried out on-water.

The boat that will launch the model in Australia will come fitted with a 250hp Yamaha F250XCA outboard engine with fly-by-wire controls.

The Cobalt 23SC bowrider uses a 21-degree deadrise at the transom, with a fine forefoot and aggressive chines to help it plane easily and turn with precision. Its stability at rest comes via a wide 2.59-metre beam.

Just like the stern drive models, the Cobalt 23SC is built in layers including a composite transom, fibreglass stringers and cockpit deck liner, and Kevlar reinforcing in the hull. The windscreen includes a stainless steel frame.

The Cobalt 23SC drops the onboard engine bay that traditionally houses a stern drive engine for a pod on which the outboard engine mounts, which is integrated into the swim platform located behind the oversize convertible sun pad. Moving the engine outboard opens up family space in the 23SC’s interior – you can move from the rear of the boat to the front via a starboard walkway closed off via a walk-through windscreen and wind deflector.

Interior features include optional plush clip-in carpets, plenty of concealed storage, and a day head in front of the copilot’s cockpit seat.

The helm seat sits before a console featuring a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cowling, in tis instance featuring optional dual 7.0-inch Garmin 7607 touchscreens with satellite navigation functions and real-time engine information. The helm also has a remote control for the Rockford Fosgate audio system, while a bimini shades the area.

The bow lounge features flip-down armrests, concealed mood lighting and USB charging ports.

Down at the transom, the launch Cobalt 23SC features a freshwater shower, while the swim deck incorporates an extendable swim platform. If you prefer to nose the bow of the 23SC into the beach, the bow also contains a concealed stainless steel boarding ladder.

Specifications
Model: Cobalt 23SC
Length: 7.06m
Beam: 2.59m
Deadrise: 21 degrees (transom)
Weight: 1905kg (dry)
Draft: 0.97m (engine down); 0.5m (engine up)
Fuel capacity: 223L
Water capacity: 37.8L
Holding tank: 37.8L
Bridge clearance: 1.5m (without bimini); 2.46m (with tower or arch)
Passengers: 12

Priced from: $134,000

Standard equipment includes: starboard cockpit seat; stainless switches, gloss black dash console with stainless accents; hour meter, colour-matched aluminium dash panels; custom-stitched instrument cluster cowling; 12-volt socket; six-speaker audio system with Bluetooth and remote; head with chemical toilet; passenger seat flipping backrest; clip-in bow and cockpit carpet; cockpit rubbish bin; walk-through transom; dual-width helm seat; aft sun bed with adjustable backrest; starboard swim step; stainless steel rail; stainless bow boarding ladder; fire extinguisher; trim tabs with indicators.

Optional equipment (on launch boat) includes: Seastar hydraulic steering; swim platform extension; dual batteries; Rockford Fosgate audio; twin Garmin Glass Cockpit touchscreens; porcelain electrically operated head; folding arch; salt water package, portside boarding ladder; bow and transom showers; portal light in head; 12-volt air compressor.