Cobalt Boats for Sale

From water slides to runabouts

Pack St. Clair founded Cobalt in 1968, at 28. He'd gone into fiberglass to build water slides, but insurers soured on them. His first boats were built in Chanute, Kansas, under the name Kustom Craft, until he found the name was already registered.

His first trade show, the 1969 IMTEC, went badly. But he noticed nobody was building yacht-quality runabouts, so he took out an $80,000 loan and started over with two models, built to be the best and most expensive boats of their kind. In 1970 the town of Neodesha gave Cobalt buildings from a closed oil refinery if he would move there. He did, and Cobalt is still there.

Malibu Boats bought Cobalt in 2017 for $130 million, with the deal closing July 6. At the time Cobalt had 24 models in six series, 132 dealers, and about $140 million in yearly sales. Paxson St. Clair, Pack's son, stayed on as president.

What you'll find used

Older Cobalts are mostly sterndrive bowriders and small cruisers with Mercury or Volvo Penta engines. Newer ones include surf boats and outboard models, which Cobalt added before the Malibu sale.

Spec sheet: the R6

The R6 is a good reference point for current Cobalts. Cobalt lists it at 25'9" with the swim platform and an 8'6" beam, so it trailers without a wide-load permit. Dry weight is 5,800 lbs, depending on options. It carries 60 gallons of fuel and 10 gallons of fresh water, and it's rated for 14 people or 2,300 lbs with gear.

Draft is 19 inches with the drive up and 35.5 inches down. Bridge clearance is 61 inches without the bimini and 100 inches with the arch. Cobalt's 2025 product guide mentions the larger Cobalt Glass Cockpit touchscreens, a transom-mounted camera and a built-in security locator.

Motor and Keel lists the 2026 R6 with a Volvo V8-300CE-G DP sterndrive at an MSRP of $164,008. Use that as a ceiling when you look at used prices.

A 5,800 lb boat plus trailer needs a real tow vehicle, so check its rating before you buy.

What to check on a used Cobalt

Sterndrive service. Most used Cobalts have sterndrives. Ask for records on bellows, gimbal bearing, impeller and drive oil. Check the drive oil for water.

Surf system. On a surf model, test the wake-shaping system on both sides and the ballast pumps. Look for leaks around ballast tanks.

Upholstery and trim. Cobalts are sold on fit and finish, so cracked vinyl, faded gelcoat and missing trim pieces cost you at resale. Price them in.

Swim platform and step. Many Cobalts have large or folding swim platforms. Work any moving parts and check the mounts.

Recalls. Check the HIN against the Coast Guard recall list. Most Cobalts run sterndrives, so also give the engine and drive serial numbers to a Volvo Penta or Mercury dealer, whichever brand is fitted, and ask if anything is outstanding.