Cobia Boats: Offshore Fishing Boats that Have It All

There’s no denying it, a ton of great center console boats and dual console boats are on the market trying to get your attention. We know. But there’s a catch:

Only one of them Have It All.

Found a model with great fishing features like loads of rod holders and in-floor fish boxes?

Awesome.

Too bad it doesn’t have the standard family-friendly features you also want – like a spacious head, extra storage, bow and cockpit sunshades, comfy seating, and a smooth, dry ride to make everyone feel relaxed and safe.

While other brands force you to accept compromises, Cobia Boats takes a different approach. Cobia lets you truly Have it All.

Whether you want a boat to take your mates offshore fishing, or your family effortlessly and enjoyably to the sandbar or on short cruises, you can do all that and more on the Cobia of your choice.

Comfortable. Reliable. Unforgettable.

Hop onboard with us as we check out what Cobia’s Have it All mantra means and why it matters the next time you go boat shopping.

The Perfect Balance of Fishing Smarts and Family Comfort

All Cobia boats are designed by anglers. Actual anglers.

Not discussion or focus groups.

Not surveys of anglers.

And definitely not internet opinion polls of anglers.

At Cobia, the very people at our plant, sitting behind the computers and designing our boats, are anglers. The engineers making decisions about the ride quality, handling, and fuel efficiency of Cobia boats, are anglers.

The staff testing our boats and taking our boats out on the weekend are anglers.

In other words: Cobia boats truly are designed by anglers.

Equipped for Fishing

That means that every Cobia is designed with all of the fishing features that fishing enthusiasts actually want. Whether that’s thoughtfully placed rod holders, durable stainless steel hardware, abundant rod and tackle storage, an insulated fish box or two, and easy livewell access, every Cobia center console and dual console is a fishing machine.

Cobias offer a variety of standard and optional fishing features to make your fishing trips better than anything else you have experienced on other boats. In addition to Cobia’s famously roomy cockpits, you can look forward to dedicated tackle drawers, gaff storage, large dry storage boxes for your gear and belongings, raw water washdown and freshwater washdown systems, and comfortable helm seats for the trip there and back.

But that doesn’t mean that family fun is out the proverbial window, either.

No Sacrifices on Comfort

Cobia Boats are designed with much more than fishing in mind. Featuring some of the industry’s most user-friendly helms alongside spacious seating and large heads with easy entry, Cobia’s center console boats and Cobia’s range of dual consoles have everything you and your family will need.

User-Friendly Helms

Ease-of-use is central to Cobia’s design philosophy and Cobia helms reflect that commitment flawlessly. Every Cobia helm is thoughtfully designed to put all essential controls right at your fingertips, ensuring maximum convenience and ease of operation. Say goodbye to awkward reaching, leaning, or bending—every function is exactly where you need it, when you need it.

Naturally, we place a premium on component quality because a well-designed helm layout fails if the equipment we choose is not held to the same standard. For that reason, on Cobia Boats you will only find options from top marine manufacturers such as Garmin, Yamaha, Seakeeper, and JL Audio.

Inviting, Thoughtfully-Placed Seating

Cobia boats are designed to ensure your family and friends have comfortable, inviting options to relax and enjoy every moment on the water while still giving you able space to move around when fishing.

The abundant seating onboard – from fold-down cockpit seating to the plush benches in the bow seating areas and wide helm seats on our center console boats – prioritizes everyone’s relaxation, no matter where on deck they choose to spend their time. Buyers can also specify a sunshade fore and aft – it’s the perfect spot for the kids to escape from the day’s heat.

Spacious Heads with Easy Entry

Cobia’s center console heads have become well-known for their easy front entry door. The large separate head compartment inside is big, light, and packed with everything you and your family or friends need for a long day on the water.

Families with young children will especially appreciate the convenience of having an onboard head – and particularly one as easy to access as those on Cobias – and the reduction in toilet break trips back to shore that it enables.

Cobias generally feature an electric head with a macerator as standard features, alongside convenient, quality of life appointments that include a towel rail, a toilet paper holder, and a mirror.

Cobia: Your Partner in Fishing and Family

Unlike many other center console boats on the market, Cobias do not ask you to make any difficult compromises. Especially when it comes to fishing and your family.

When you buy a Cobia, you are buying a boating platform designed to give you the best of both worlds. The perfect balance of fishing smarts and relaxation.

Go with Cobia

Fish offshore or along the beach with family. Head to the sandbar or cruise to your favorite dockside restaurant. Chase game fish far from shore or escape to your secret beach. Whatever adventure you choose, Cobia has you covered.

No matter where you choose to go, you can take your friends, family, and loved ones with you on a Cobia, and you can rest assured that they will feel comfortable, safe, and well taken care of.

Find your nearest authorized Cobia Dealer and book a test ride today. You won’t forget it.

Meet the Anglers Who Create Cobia Boats

We specifically design Cobia Boats to meet the needs of both anglers and families equally. This philosophy ensures that every Cobia buyer gets to Have it All on their boat, without having to accept compromises for the sake of either their passion for fishing or their family’s comfort on board.

Today, we introduce you to some of the team responsible for bringing each Cobia model to life and ensuring that when we say you can Have It All, we actually mean it.

Meet Thomas Baxter – Cobia’s Director of Operations and Jonathan King, our Director of Engineering or in other words, the technical brains behind every boat.

Cobia Boats: Designed by Industry Veterans

Jonathan and Thomas are part of a team of key individuals behind the design, engineering, testing, and marketing of the Cobia Boats model lineup. They have decades of experience between them and they bring all of that together to ensure that every Cobia boat meets all of its customers’ needs and exceeds their expectations.

That process begins in the engineering department, which Jonathan heads up

Introducing Jonathan King

Jonathan hails from the UK. Growing up on the Bristol channel in England’s south west, Jonathan developed a passion for outdoor living and spending time both on and around the water. While attending university in Portsmouth, he became interested in deep sea fishing.

In the early 2000s, he emigrated to the US, settling down in Florida. In addition to doing lots more fishing, Jonathan now also enjoys scuba diving. “My youngest daughter, May, is my dive buddy,” he revealed. “We learned to scuba dive just before Covid and have since been diving in the Middle East and Mexico. We are now doing our nitrox training. We have been able to regularly personally test the ability of Cobia boats to support the many water sports we love.”

Meet Thomas Baxter

Thomas is a manufacturing industry veteran, having spent over twenty years in various manufacturing roles. “I grew up on the water. My parents had a lake cabin in South Dakota so we were there at the cabin every weekend in the summer. We had a little fishing boat and a pontoon boat, and later a wakeboard boat.”

“My weekends are spent offshore putting our Cobia boats through their paces. With over 500 hours on our latest models and experience fishing multiple tournaments, I push our prototypes to ensure they meet our standards. I love running them and my friends enjoy their days on the water. It’s great to come back after a weekend offshore, give real-world feedback, and see those insights shape the next generation of Cobia boats.”

2005: Reimagining, Redesigning & Rebuilding Cobia Boats

In 2005, the Maverick boat group bought Cobia Boats from Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA with a vision of building a range of modern, comfortable family boats packed with fishing smarts and built to the highest engineering and design standards. It was a very unique concept at the time. “We saw a gap in the market because there were lots of well-known brands offering serious offshore fishing boats, and others that were family boats, with none in the middle that did both. So we went after that opportunity, under the Maverick Boat Group’s reputation for build quality and fishing smarts, and managed to find a very unique place in the competitive landscape.”

A Challenging Journey

But getting there would not be easy. “As soon as we brought Cobia on board, we knew that it was a major undertaking. The original models were outdated and they had a poor reputation for quality. They were ‘plain jane’, utilitarian boats with a lot of wood in them. So from day one, we knew we were going to aggressively redesign the whole line up and build them differently.”

Meanwhile, the team had to develop a new reputation in the market, for Cobia boats. “We were focused on developing a strong reputation for quality and about what this boat can do for you.”

20 Years of Evolution

2025 saw the introduction of four new Cobia models. The new boats – the 265 CC, 265 Open, 285 CC and the 285 Open – are perfect representations of how the Cobia Boats brand has evolved in the last 20 years. “We’re continually modernizing our model lineup while utilizing the highest-quality materials and hardware from the industry’s best vendors. These packages come together as a strong, high-quality boat that our customers can be very proud of,” said Jonathan.

Testing Fishing Performance at Sea

Cobia’s engineering teams regularly and routinely put Cobia’s new models to the test, taking them fishing in all kinds of sea conditions both in the Intracoastal Waterway and in the Gulf Stream. “All of our boats are extensively tested; the engineers go out frequently to put the boats through their paces to ensure that we are building a quality product that will withstand the sea and be a great fishing and family boat,” Thomas said. “When we commission a new prototype, we go out and test it and fish on them; we check things like the placement of rod holders and fish boxes and how these things operate in actual fishing conditions.”

Hundreds of Hours of Testing

In testing, Jonathan’s extensive experience in the automotive industry became key. “I have been able to bring an automotive durability mindset into the engineering process,” he explained. “We have to build it and test it, and we have to make it easy to build.”

“We test the boats in difficult predicaments at sea, like slapping them hard into waves at high speeds, and then listening for rattles or noises afterwards. Our focus during these tests is also on reviewing what makes sense and what doesn’t, and in general, making the boat extremely functional and family-friendly,” he continued. “By the time the final product reaches the customer, with all of the small engineering touches we constantly put in, we can guarantee that it’s a great boat that is head and shoulders above the competition.”

Professional Fishing Feedback

The engineering team also routinely enlists the help of various fishing experts to get their feedback on the boats and their fishability. “We engage local fishing guides to operate and use the boats whenever we create a prototype, so we get that hardcore fishing-focused feedback from those environments. We also have a dealer council of about half a dozen Cobia dealers and avid fishermen who give us feedback from our customers, which we channel into our designs,” said Jonathan.

“A lot of our competitors aren’t considering the things that we are thinking about because they are not fishermen so they don’t know any better.”

Looking ahead, the team was excited about what is coming next for Cobia. “More innovation, more of the comfort, and more of what the customer really needs and wants on a boat. I know what’s coming next and I really love it!” said Thomas.

Schedule A Factory Tour & See Cobia’s Engineering For Yourself

We invite you to meet the Cobia team and experience Cobia’s engineering quality for yourself with a VIP factory tour.

Simply click here to request a factory tour. Tours are conducted on Thursday afternoons by appointment only. We look forward to welcoming you in person!

What to look for when shopping for Dual Console boats

Dual console boats are rapidly growing in popularity with buyers across the spectrum, and there are plenty of good reasons why this is the case.

Balanced Design

Many boat buyers appreciate versatile dual console models which successfully strike a balance between fishing features and social features to make the whole family comfortable.

The dual console range of boats produced by Cobia Boats offers the perfect combination of serious fishing features, outstanding performance, and plenty of seating and amenities for the whole family.

With so many people now turning their attention to dual console boats as an alternative to center console boats, we want to help you choose the best dual console boat for your needs. In this article, we highlight the essential componentry and features you should be looking at when you start browsing dual console boats.

Contact your Local Cobia Dealer Now

Prefer to skip the rest of the article and head straight down to a dealer to browse Cobia’s dual console boats in person? No problem! Click here to instantly find your nearest authorized Cobia boats dealer.

And now, on with the article:

Essential Feature 1: Comfort and Ergonomics

Dual console boats are renowned for their onboard comfort. This comes about thanks to thoughtfully designed layouts and ergonomic designs for all of the onboard facilities. The cockpit layout, seating arrangements, and control placements should all work together to provide a relaxed yet highly functional environment. Check that the boat has at least some or all of the following features:

Head compartment:

Dual console boats frequently offer a head compartment. For families, this means fewer bathroom runs back to the dock, and generally more comfort and convenience for everyone onboard, adults included. Cobia’s dual console boats typically include a fully-finished head with toilet paper holder and a mirror in as standard.

Weather Protection:

A well-designed dual console boat should include features to shield you and your crew from the weather such as a windscreen that closes and a bimini or hard top. This ensures that you remain comfortable in varying weather conditions, whether you’re dealing with the heat of the sun or a sudden downpour.

Ergonomic Helm:

The placement and design of the steering and control systems should minimize strain during long cruises and allow for intuitive handling in general. An ergonomically designed helm position will reduce fatigue during long cruises and make it easier to manage complex maneuvers.

Customizable Ammenities:

A dual console boat is all about versatility, and selecting a boat with customizable amenities ensures your vessel perfectly suited to your lifestyle. Whether you’re planning days of offshore fishing, leisurely cruising with family, or hosting dockside gathering, the ability to tailor your boat with options like refrigeration, a well-equipped kitchenette, a grill, and shore power enhances both convenience and comfort.

Essential Feature 2: Fishability and Fishing Features

While dual console boats are designed to make the whole family comfortable, good dual consoles that are worthy of your attention are typically also designed with the serious angler in mind. So whether you are planning some serious offshore fishing or even something more casual, a decent dual console boat will include various essential fishing components. When you start shopping, make sure you consider the following:

Rod and Tackle Storage options:

The last thing any angler wants is to have their rods rolling around or otherwise getting damaged or tangled up when not in use. For that reason, be sure to check that the boat has sufficient rod storage and rod holders for your needs. Cobia dual console boats, for example, come standard with stainless steel gunnel rod holders (including several at the transom) as well as stainless steel thru-hulls.

Fishing Amenities:

Once you land that big catch, you need somewhere to store it and to keep it fresh until you get back to the dock. Therefore, you want to ensure that the boat has insulated fish boxes. The more you plan on fishing, the greater the volume of fish boxes you will need. Cobia Boats are sold with various insulated fish storage boxes included as standard, as well as a livewell.

Essential Feature 3: Robust Engineering

As with buying any other boat, you need to make sure that the boat you are interested in is built to the highest engineering standards. It must be unquestionably capable of taking you and your family or crew out and bringing you all back home safely.

Ideally, you also want a boat that will be able to cope with rough waters at sea, or at the very least large bodies of open water such as lakes.

Whether you are out for some relaxed day cruising, freshwater fishing, or offshore fishing, you deserve complete peace of mind. This is probably particularly true of family boaters who will want to know that their children will be safe while on the boat.

VARIS Construction

The hulls of many Cobia boats are built using our patented VARIS construction technique. This process uses vacuum infusion to precisely control the amount of resin that goes into the build structure. It results in a single, fused hull structure that is incredibly strong and which boasts the highest strength-to-weight ratio possible in fiberglass construction.

The lower resin weight gives you a boat that is more fuel efficient, faster, and with an optimized load-carrying capacity.

Whether cruising or fishing with the family, Cobia’s solid and stiff hull deserves a place on your shopping list.

Conclusion

As a growing number of boaters seek an alternative to center console boats, dual console boats have become more and more popular for their versatility that combines family-friendly appeal with legitimate fishability.

Consequently, the market has seen the entry of several dual console models introduced across the board. While at first glance many of these boats may appear to be similar, most dual consoles are simply not built to the same standards as Cobia’s dual console boats. Nor are they supplied with the same generous level of standard features and technology as Cobia.

If you are planning to buy a dual console boat, Cobia’s range of three dual console boats deserves your attention. The 220 DC, 240 DC, and 280 DC have everything you have been waiting for in a boat, and your nearest authorized Cobia dealer is waiting to introduce you to them in person.

See you on the water!

Cobia’s VARIS Technology: Stronger, Faster, Lighter

Cobia Boats make the perfect family boats and ideal fishing platforms. With their irresistible mix of fishing features and family-friendly amenities, Cobia boats really do offer the opportunity for boaters to Have it All on one boat.

Beneath Cobia boats’ fantastic mix of features is a carefully engineered hull designed to deliver a confident ocean-going ride, spectacular handling, and class-leading fuel efficiency. A particular highlight of Cobia boats is their VARIS hull construction, applicable to all Cobia boats over 26 feet long.

In this blog, we explain what VARIS is, what you can expect from a Cobia boat with a VARIS-built hull, and why a Cobia VARIS hull should be a non-negotiable for your next boat.

What is VARIS?

VARIS is an acronym for Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion System. In simple terms, VARIS is a construction method that is used to make strong, lightweight composite parts. In the boatbuilding industry, it is universally accepted as the very best way to build a boat. At Cobia Boats, VARIS is used in the construction of all Cobia models over 26 feet long.

How does VARIS work?

In simple terms, here is how VARIS works:

1. Dry Materials in a Mold: First, dry layers of fiberglass fibers are arranged inside a mold.
2. Sealing the Mold: Next, the mold is covered with a plastic film and sealed tightly to prevent any air or other elements from entering or exiting.
3. Applying a Vacuum: Then, a vacuum pump is used to remove all the air from inside the sealed mold.
4. Drawing in the Resin: With the air removed, resin (a liquid adhesive) is drawn into the mold by the vacuum, flowing through the fiber layers and filling every gap.
5. Curing: Finally, the resin and fibers harden together, forming a strong and lightweight composite part.

What Are the Benefits of VARIS in Boatbuilding?

There are several good reasons why we utilize the VARIS process to build many of our hulls:

• Enhanced Strength-to-Weight Ratio: VARIS allows for the ideal fiber-to-resin ratio, resulting in hulls that are both strong and lightweight.
• Uniform Resin Distribution: The vacuum ensures even saturation of the glass fibers, which leads to consistent material properties and reduces weak spots.
• Reduced Material Waste: VARIS uses only the necessary amount of resin, lowering waste and potentially reducing overall material impact.
• Improved Quality and Consistency: The controlled environment minimizes human error, leading to repeatable, consistently high-quality hulls.
• Environmental Benefits: With optimized resin use and fewer volatile emissions, VARIS is a more environmentally friendly production method compared to traditional techniques.

Benefits of a VARIS Hull for the Boat Owner

While VARIS has many benefits for our production processes, its benefits for our customers are more important. VARIS hulls are simply better in so many ways:

They are incredibly strong: VARIS-built hulls have the highest strength-to-weight ratio possible in fiberglass construction. This is crucial given the longer-range trips that Cobia’s bigger boats typically undertake, and the heavier engine loads they carry.

They are more fuel-efficient: The improved structural integrity and high fiber-to-resin ratio resulting from the VARIS process create a lighter hull that doesn’t sacrifice strength. Additionally, the hull maintains its shape under stress, which reduces unnecessary flexing or vibration that can increase drag.

They boast optimized load-carrying capacity: The even distribution of resin through the hull minimizes or even eliminates weak spots, while also enhancing the structural integrity of the hull. All of this means the hull can better withstand loads and stresses.

Cobia Boats with VARIS Hulls

The hulls of all Cobia Boats models over 26 feet are built with the VARIS method. Check out these two examples from the Cobia catalog:

Cobia 280 DC

The Cobia 280 DC is designed to maximize every trip you take, whether fishing, cruising, or spending time at the sandbar. This dual console’s standard features include a hideaway bow ladder, a fully featured kitchenette, a hardtop with an optional electric cockpit sunshade, and a walk-down head. A 25-gallon livewell, standard rod storage, and an expansive cockpit appeal to the serious angler.

When the fishing is finished, the cockpit and helm area can be transformed into an elegant seating and lounging area for up to 10 passengers. All seating, including the additional bow lounges, have standard USB outlets and cup holders close by, and there’s even a standard stern table and optional bow table, both of which can be completely stowed away. Add to all this its superb inshore and offshore running performance and the 280 DC will make you and your passengers smile every time you hit the water.

Browse the 280 DC in more detail on its product page here.

Cobia 285 CC Open

Launched in 2025, the all-new 285 Open by Cobia Boats is designed for both the avid family angler and the dedicated tournament-driven angler. With an increased focus on an open space layout for full walk-up access to the bow and stern, the 285 Open takes fishing features even a step further by adding two additional cockpit insulated fish boxes with macerated overboard drains, standard kite rod holders, and an optional deep drop set-up that includes reinforced gunnel boards and electric reel outlets.

Additional upgrades include a Garmin Force Kraken trolling motor and enhanced JL Audio sound system packages with 10” subwoofers and up to 10 speakers that are strategically positioned to optimize the sound no matter where you are sitting, standing or fishing from on the boat.

View the new 285 CC Open in more detail here.

Conclusion

Buying a boat need not be a difficult decision navigated by complicated lists of pros and cons of each model. Simply choose one of our Cobia Boat models and Have it All.

Our buyers love the fact that Cobia boats are high-quality fishing and family boats. And if you opt for one of our 26′ and up models, you will quickly notice the difference made by our VARIS hull construction. These high-performance fiberglass hulls are optimized for a smooth, solid ride, fuel efficiency, and thrilling, confident handling.

Ready to Have it All and experience the VARIS difference for yourself? Contact your nearest authorized Cobia Boats dealer today. They are standing by to introduce you to Cobia in person.

3 Things to Look For In a Center Console Boat

Center console boats continue to be one of the most popular hull layouts on the market. If you are one of the many people looking to buy your first center console boat, we want to help you make the right decision so that you get the best boat for your needs and your money.

Browse the Cobia Lineup

Don’t feel like reading any further? Then all you need to know is that the Cobia lineup of nine center console boats is perfect for your needs. Whether you are looking at center console boats for family cruises or offshore fishing trips, or even simply to spend time at the local sandbar with your friends, Cobia’s center console boats allow you to Have it All. Browse the Cobia Center Console boats lineup here.

To ensure that you can identify the boats that are worthy of your attention, time, and – most importantly – money, this article spotlights Three Things To Look For in a center console boat. And it starts with the hull itself:

1: Robust Hull Design and Construction

The fact is that not all center console boats are created equal. Given that you are trusting both your own and your family or crew’s life to your boat, it pays to make sure that the hull of the boat you’re interested in is engineered and built to the highest possible standards.

As the foundation of any boat, the hull’s engineering and design also directly impact the boat’s performance, stability, and fuel efficiency. Cobia boat hulls are engineered with advanced hull designs including many that feature a twin-stepped hull that perfectly balance performance and stability.

VARIS Construction

The hulls on select Cobia models are built using our patented, proprietary VARIS system. VARIS is a vacuum-assisted resin infusion hull manufacturing process that results in a strong, lightweight, and environmentally friendlier hull structure.

VARIS-built hulls are also more fuel-efficient, faster, and benefit from optimized load-carrying capacity. Captains appreciate Cobia’s solid, stiff VARIS hulls for their ability to cleanly punch through waves instead of absorbing their impact, making for a more comfortable ride overall.

2: Family-Friendly Features

When your boat is not heading offshore to be a hardcore fishing machine, chances are you are spending time onboard with your family and friends. So while some center console boats nowadays cater to anglers, it is seldom true that families and their needs are equally well taken care of.

Sufficient Seating

Check the seating arrangements and examine whether the boat has sufficient seating. Is there enough room for all of the people who will typically be on board and room for the angling you plan to do?

Sit on the chairs or benches – are they comfortable?

A complete, well-thought-out deck design will incorporate a flexible seating arrangement with cockpit benches that can fold away to create space for fishing or fold back out when additional seating is required. Bow seating should be comfortable and thoughtfully designed.

Head as Standard

A key family-friendly feature that most Cobia boats include as standard, is a comfortable, private head compartment. Cobia recognizes the importance of ensuring that families are properly accommodated on board so for that reason, an electric head, toilet roll holder, and mirror are all included as standard, with some models also including a towel rail. Fresh water flushing is an available option in some models, for captains who would prefer that. Unlike so many of our competitors, a Cobia will not force you to deal with the inconvenience of a portable head.

3: Reliable Power with User-Friendly Controls

Over the past few years, various new outboard engine brands have entered the market. These often promise you the world, for a price that often seems too good to be true.

You don’t want to be far offshore on your way home while trying to evade an incoming rain storm, only to discover that your new outboards have suffered a major mechanical failure.

Cobia: Powered by Yamaha

For that reason, Cobia Center console boats are powered by Yamaha four-stroke outboard motors. Yamaha is a veteran outboard manufacturer, with decades of outboard manufacturing experience behind it. And its distribution network is vast, ensuring that your engines have full support wherever you find yourself with your boat.

The Yamaha outboard packages available with Cobia boats come with Yamaha’s Helm Master EX system. Helpfully, auto Pilot and joystick control are among the user-friendly control options available for the Helm Master EX system. Joystick control makes close-quarters maneuvers – such as when docking or around the boat ramp – easy and stress-free.

Conclusion

Shopping for a center console boat can seem overwhelming. With the huge – and growing – number of options available on the market, it can be difficult to separate the models that are really worth your attention from those that aren’t.

Whether you want a center console to take offshore as your personal fishing machine, or whether you prefer a center console with a more social deck design and family-friendly features, Cobia’s range of center console boats has a model that allows you to Have it All. You will not have to choose between fishing and family.

There is an authorized Cobia Boats dealer near you and they are looking forward to introducing you to the range of Cobia Center consoles in person. Contact them today.

Have it All With the 280 Dual Console by Cobia Boats

Whether you’re a fishing family, a cruising couple, or just a group of friends looking to spend some time fishing or hanging out at the sandbar, the Cobia 280 Dual Console needs to be on your wishlist the next time you’re ready to upgrade. Packed with fishing features while combining comfort, functionality, excellent handling, and performance on the water, this 28-foot dual console by Cobia is ready to impress.

In this article, we check out three standout reasons why the Cobia 280 Dual Console should be at the top of your shortlist if you’re in the market for a versatile, dependable, high-quality dual console boat.

1. Unmatched Versatility and Space for the Whole Crew

Few things ruin an onboard experience faster than feeling like you’re always in someone else’s way. Whether you’ve dealt with cramped quarters before or not, one of the first things you’ll notice when stepping aboard the Cobia 280 Dual Console is its impressive, open layout that gives you room to move with ease.The Cobia 280 DC’s ample open deck space and thoughtfully designed seating ensure that your crew is comfortably accommodated on the water, giving everyone the space to relax and enjoy their time onboard.

Bow Seating and Lounge Options

The bow seating on the 280 Dual Console is perfect for kicking back under the sun. Plush upholstery, backrests, and cup holders let passengers relax while storage compartments are provided underneath for towels, life jackets, or any other gear you want to keep handy. An optional removable table makes the bow area a great spot for refreshments or a quick lunch at anchor.

Meanwhile, back in the cockpit, a roomy fold-down bench on the transom and a table come standard, allowing you to quickly turn the cockpit into a relaxing waterfront picnic space. And if you need extra seating, fold-down side seating is available as an option. A double lounge seat alongside the helm is a standard feature too, below which is an insulated cooler for keeping your drinks and snacks fresh all day long.

Family-Friendly Comfort

Dual console boats are especially appealing to families because they typically feature additional seating and easy-to-access storage compartments for items like kids’ toys, snacks, or extra clothes. The Cobia 280 DC takes family time on board a step further with a well-appointed head compartment (an electric head with a macerator is standard) under the passenger console. This convenient feature means you can spend more time enjoying the water and less time heading back to the dock for bathroom breaks – something that families with children will appreciate, particularly on extended outings.

Wash it Down

Fresh and raw water washdown systems are standard on the 280 Dual Console ensuring that everyone can take a refreshing shower and rinse the salt off after a swim, staying fresh and relaxed while onboard. The raw water system, meanwhile, makes it easy to keep the deck and other exterior surfaces clean of spills, fish guts, and everything else.

Convertible and Flexible

From sunrise fishing trips to sunset cruises, the 280 DC’s layout adapts to your plans. The rear seating folds away to create more space for fishing, while its wraparound windshield protects from wind and spray when cruising at higher speeds. Built-in storage spaces throughout the boat and the integrated cooler in the port lounge mean you can stow away refreshments, rods, tackle boxes, water toys, or safety gear without cluttering the deck. This thoughtful design means you’ll be prepared for whatever the day brings – whether that’s chasing game fish or enjoying a sunset cocktail.

Speaking of relaxing at anchor: Unlike many of its competitors, this 28-foot dual console comes standard with a boarding ladder hidden in the bow, making it easier and safer than ever before to access your favorite secret beaches.

A fiberglass hardtop is included as standard too, giving the whole family an escape from the hot sun during those long days out. An optional electric cockpit sunshade adds even more protection.

2. Exceptional Fishability

The Cobia 280 Dual Console lives up to Cobia’s promise that owners of Cobia boats genuinely can Have it All. While the 280 DC is a fantastic family cruiser, it is also designed to thoroughly meet the needs of anglers.

Well-Equipped Cockpit

For fishing enthusiasts, the open cockpit is the most critical section of the boat, and the 280 DC delivers with stainless steel rod holders strategically placed along the gunwales, under-gunwale rod storage, and additional rod holders in the transom. This layout allows multiple anglers to fish simultaneously without tangling lines or stepping over gear.

The large open cockpit also provides a fantastic, stable area that is ideal for fighting fish. The 280 DC’s wide 9’06” beam helps keep rolling movement to a minimum and reduces motion sickness, which is great for a more comfortable fishing experience and safety!

Convenient Tackle and Gear Storage

Built-in tackle stations keep your lures, lines, and tools organized and within easy reach. For serious offshore trips, there’s ample room to bring everything you might need, from cast nets to extra tackle boxes. Storage compartments are integrated seamlessly, ensuring that you don’t waste time rummaging around looking for that perfect lure when the fish are biting.

Livewells and Fish Boxes

If you plan to target bigger species, the 280 DC is equipped with two spacious 41-gallon insulated fish boxes and a 25-gallon livewell all as standard, ensuring that your bait stays lively and your catches stay fresh on ice for hours of fishing without worry.

3. Durability with an Exceptional Ride

When heading out to sea – whether offshore and far over the horizon or to the sandbar – you need your boat to be durable and absolutely reliable. No matter how spacious or feature-rich a boat might be, none of that matters if it cannot take you out and bring you home safely and securely in diverse water conditions.

For those reasons, Cobia’s engineers ensure that every Cobia boat delivers a smooth, dry, and rock-solid ride in many different sea conditions, without sacrificing safety or the hull’s durability. Here is how:

Cobia’s Proven Hull Design

Cobia’s boatbuilding heritage lies in designing hulls that maximize both speed and stability. The 280 DC’s variable deadrise hull provides enough sharp entry to cut through choppy seas, while a slightly flatter section towards the stern enhances stability at rest. This design keeps you confidently on plane when cruising at anywhere from moderate to high speeds, delivering a ride that feels both nimble and reassuring.

Solid Construction

From the transom to the bow, the 280 DC is built to take you offshore without breaking a sweat thanks to Cobia’s very stringent quality standards. For example, the stringer systems are engineered for structural integrity, minimizing flexing in rough water. Additionally, high-quality gelcoat and corrosion-resistant hardware help the boat retain its sleek appearance and functional reliability season after season.

VARIS Construction

A particular highlight is Cobia’s VARIS construction technique, employed in the construction of all Cobia models over 26 feet long. The VARIS – Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion System – process is a technique that uses vacuum pressure to drive resin into a laminate. The VARIS technique, which is unique to Cobia, precisely controls the amount of resin in the structure being built, while also being more environmentally and worker-friendly. VARIS delivers incredibly strong hulls, boasting the highest strength-to-weight ratio possible in fiberglass construction.

Not yet convinced by the features we have provided above?

Here are some of these great optional features and accessories you can specify when you buy a 280 DC:

Stereo system: A premium JL Audio marine stereo with eight JL Audio speakers.

Hull color accents: Choose from seven striking hull color accents to make your boat match your personal style.

Engine options: Power for the 280 DC comes from twin Yamaha outboard engines in your choice of either the Yamaha F300XSB (4.2L V6, 300hp) or the Yamaha 200XSA (200hp), which are both available in black or white.

Electrical: A Four-bank battery charger with an inlet is optional, ensuring that you have all the necessary power.

Conclusion: A True All-Rounder

This 280 DC from Cobia is truly the embodiment of our ‘Have it All’ ethos. Featuring plenty of room for all of your family, friends, or fishing crew, as well as family-friendly features all wrapped in our VARIS-built hull, this 28-foot dual console will give you and your family or friends the freedom to head out and go anywhere your heart desires.

Ready to build your dream boat and experience how Cobia really lets you Have it All? Build Your Boat on our website and when you’re done, Find your local Cobia Boats dealer to arrange a sea trial.