SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 3.2 3.7 1.6 2.0 2.3 306.9 353.1 1 65
1500 5.6 6.4 2.9 1.9 2.2 296.9 341.6 1 73
2000 6.6 7.6 4.5 1.5 1.7 225.7 259.7 4 76
2500 10.9 12.6 7.4 1.5 1.7 229.0 263.6 5 82
3000 15.3 17.7 9.5 1.6 1.9 249.9 287.6 6 84
3500 22.8 26.3 14.0 1.6 1.9 252.2 290.3 5 88
4000 26.4 30.4 15.9 1.7 1.9 256.8 295.5 3 85
4500 31.4 36.1 21.9 1.4 1.6 221.7 255.2 2 89
5000 35.8 41.2 31.6 1.1 1.3 175.4 201.8 2 88
5500 40.6 46.8 36.4 1.1 1.3 172.8 198.8 2 90
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDHigh Points
XStandard hardtop can be equipped
with an optional electric shade to
protect the cockpit.
XWraparound windshield and wind
dam at the walk-through can be
closed to protect the cockpit.
XRocket launchers on the hardtop
superstructure keep rods handy
but out of the way for cruising.
XCustom colors and two-tone
hardtop colors are available.Specs
· LOA: 27'7" · BEAM: 9'8" · DRY
WEIGHT: 5,680 lb. · SEATING/WEIGHT
CAPACITY: Yacht Certifi ed · FUEL
CAPACITY: 172 gal.How We Tested
ENGINE: Dual Yamaha V-6 3.3L
outboards
DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/Reliance
14.25" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel
GEAR RATIO: 2.00:1
FUEL LOAD: 60 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 400 lb.
Price
$159,591
(base with test power)COBIA
280 DC
and all the rod storage in the hardtop. The
livewell is ample with solid aeration, and
fi sh boxes keep the catch iced for the table.
Dual-console fans tend to be omnivo-
rous consumers of the outdoor experience,
so the 280’s freshwater washdown and
bow boarding ladder will be important
standards for chilling on the sandbar and
rinsing down after beach volleyball.
For long-term beauty, the DC is
trimmed in stainless-steel rub rails, stain-
less anchor-plate protection and highly
polished cleats. Each hinge and latch is
also of polished stainless steel and fash-
ioned in durable weights for long life.
Good looks, good fi shing, durable con-
struction and plush lounging are on the
table with the 280 DC.Dual consoles may be the fastest-growing
segment of saltwater fi shing boats. The
Cobia 280 DC off ers up a platter full of
standard features and, for the more re-
fi ned palate, a buff et of options that make
this dual console more exciting.
Dual consoles increasingly get the nod
from saltwater boaters because of the crea-
ture comforts they aff ord. Plenty of shade
on this one comes from a standard hard-
top plus an optional electrically deployed
sunshade for the aft cockpit — shade is no
longer a scarce commodity at sea.
Add full curtains to enclose the cockpit.
Close the wind-dam door to the bow seat-
ing area and you have the perfect medley
of features for extended-season boating.
Open it back up and the bow-area lounges
allow sunbathers and casual anglers to
coast along while the fi shing team tends
the lines. The upholstery is plush, with
thick padding and multiple textures and
colors of vinyl to complement the hullcolor scheme you select.
For all-day comfort, there is a head
in the port console. And there’s plenty of
dry storage in the starboard console, plus
access to the electronics.
An entertainment galley aft of the skip-
per’s seat can be optionally garnished with
an electric grill and refrigerator. There is
ample seating, including a foldaway tran-
som seat and another in the starboard
coaming. A large cooler under the portside
seat adds refreshment storage, and the
hinged top pulls forward, dropping away
from the opening to ease access.
If you’re fi shing, and you’ll want to
from this capable vessel, you’ll appreciate
the standard rod holders in the gunwalesPHOTOS: COURTESY COBIA BOATSCOBIA BOATS
Fort Pierce, Florida; 877-242-4238; cobiaboats.comC
FISHING BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTS
BOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 136 | BOATINGMAG.COM