Cobia 265 CC Open | Salt Water Sportsman

My instant thought after I first noticed the brand new Cobia 265 CC Open was “I want extra rods!” There have been so many rod holders, together with non-obligatory leaning submit rod holders, non-obligatory kingfish rod holders, and non-obligatory kite rod holders that I felt just like the poor child on the town.  

However much more than that, when you walked via any big-box fishing-gear retailer from Bass Professional to West Marine and checked off each attainable fishing goody that you just’d like, effectively, it’s already on board the Cobia 265 CC Open.  

The 30-gallon livewell, two ­insulated 46-gallon fish packing containers, sort out ­packing containers, bait reducing board, hullside door sufficiently big to drag in an enormous ­tuna or a good greater diver, and the fresh- and saltwater washdowns all come normal. It is a turnkey fish warrior.

However wait, anglers have households. So, the 265 takes care of them fairly properly, thanks. Contained in the front-opening console, the spacious head has 6 ft of headroom, a freshwater sink, a mirror, bathe and an accessible Jabsco ­china ­rest room—all essential for a day outing. Stir within the seating within the bow with intelligent foldaway backrests that additionally permits for simple entry to the anchor locker or to struggle a fish across the forepeak. Toss within the JL Audio that may rock you, USB retailers in every single place, cup holders as plentiful as rod holders, and a fold-down rear sofa for Aunt Edna.

The helm is equally spectacular, protected by an built-in hardtop body with a tempered glass enclosure, full wiper, and an electric-­opening vent for warm days. The sprint simply handles a pair of Garmin 16-inch multifunction shows, and the row of toggles for the varied programs are lit for night time working. A giant glove field hides all of the glasses and sunscreen, one other is overhead within the hardtop, and there are too many lockers, bins and drawers to depend. I discovered two ranges of underdash footrests for the skipper, and a considerate contact is the angled flat outboard of the sprint for the companion to brace a proper foot in lumpy situations.  

However you’re questioning, because the Brits say, “Wot’ll she do?” We examined with the accessible twin Yamaha 200s (twin 150s and 250s are additionally accessible decisions), which is able to get you offshore at simply over 50 mph (at 5,400 rpm) whereas sipping ­gas at 38.3 gph for higher than 1 mpg with the hammer down. Drop again to 4,000 rpm, and also you’re nonetheless at a snug quick cruise of ­almost 35 mph, reaching 2 mpg. I whipped out my sound meter and located that on the 35 mph cruise, we had simply 85 decibels (on the A scale), which made conversations lots simple.  

Velocity doesn’t let you know every little thing, however the 21-degree transom deadrise of this deep-V tells you numerous. The 265 easily cleaves the water, with a tough chine and two full-length strakes throwing spray to the perimeters reasonably than again in your face.  

And the 265 was simply plain enjoyable to drive. The cops frown on spinning doughnuts on metropolis streets, however as soon as I’d wrapped a fist across the brody knob on the stainless steel wheel, it was Dunkin’ time on the water. Cranked arduous over, the 265 by no means misplaced its poise, by no means cavitated, and appeared to ask, “Is that every one you bought?” Wind chop, large wakes from passing yachts—nothing fazed it.

And the hull development is rock-solid, that includes Cobia’s proprietary VARIS (Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion System) to create an built-in wood-free stringer system, so there are not any creaks, even when working arduous in seas. And your service tech will love the straightforward entry to every little thing from batteries to plumbing.

So, what about ­fishability? Begin on the stern, the place a sealed door (no cockpit water when backing down arduous) makes easy accessibility to the full-width transom platform, with hidden outboard rigging so snapper anglers can drop baits straight down. The cockpit has all of the fishing wants behind the helm seating, with a ­intelligent pullout reducing board, sort out lockers, a cooler, and a glove field with a cellphone charger.

Have to chase a fish spherical and spherical? The large aspect decks make this each simple and safe, and that aspect door with husky hinges (an non-obligatory detachable ladder can be accessible) opens inward over the starboard fish field, so you possibly can drop that large one straight in. You’ll discover the faux-teak decking cool on naked tootsies (our take a look at day was 100 levels F) and properly grippy.  

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All of the hatches have deep gutters for rain or energetic washdowns, and the lockers ahead boast watertight seals. Have to sight-cast a tarpon? A detachable casting platform locks into place to create a foredeck and, even higher, has devoted out-of-the-way storage. Our take a look at boat had the non-obligatory Garmin Power Kraken bow-mounted trolling motor that stowed neatly to the port aspect of the bow, with sufficient size to supply totally submerged no-splash working, and a sonar transducer that painted an ultra-high-res picture on the Garmin MFD. 

It is a pleasant boat for devoted anglers or household, with high quality development and dozens of considerate particulars.      

My most important takeaway from the Cobia 265 CC Open: I want to purchase extra rods!

Specs

Cobia Boats – Fort Pierce, Florida; cobiaboats.com