Cobalt Boats
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Leisure motorboats |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Pack St. Clair |
| Headquarters | Neodesha , United States |
| Products | Motorboats (speedboats, cruisers, runabouts, sterndrive vessels, surf boats, outboard models) |
| Parent | Malibu Boats |
Cobalt Boats, LLC is a United States-based producer of leisure motorboats, established in 1968 and later incorporated into Malibu Boats in 2017.
Company profile
Originating in Neodesha, Kansas under the leadership of Pack St. Clair, Cobalt Boats initially focused on premium speedboats such as compact cruisers, runabouts, and a range of sterndrive vessels from mid- to large-size. Over time, the company broadened its portfolio to include surf boats, outboard models, and larger family-oriented cruisers. During the 1970s, Cobalt gained recognition for its elegant tri-hull designs and sustained expansion throughout the 1980s. Their product lineup spans from nineteen to forty feet in length, featuring sterndrives powered by Mercury or Volvo engines.
Emphasizing precise craftsmanship and engineering superiority, Cobalt built its brand around exceptional quality rather than competitive pricing. Customer feedback consistently placed their boats among the top performers in various key metrics. Manufacturing processes incorporated hulls strengthened with Kevlar and fiberglass stringers for durability. Buyers could select from customization options including leather upholstery and wood accents, paired with engine configurations from Mercury Marine and Volvo Penta. The company retained full control over design and tooling internally, providing a comprehensive selection of engines and outdrives tailored to each model.
By 2017, Cobalt was producing upwards of 2,000 units annually at its Neodesha manufacturing plant. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, net revenues approached $140 million derived from sales of 24 distinct boat models via a dealer network encompassing 132 locations across the United States, Canada, and international markets.
Intellectual property
Cobalt owns significant intellectual property rights highlighted by a successful patent infringement case against Brunswick Corporation, the parent company of Sea Ray Boats, concerning its innovative "'retractable swim step.'" This feature is a partially submerged platform at the stern designed to facilitate easy water entry. The patent protects a "spring-biased locking mechanism" essential to the swim step's operation. This patent was upheld through inter partes review procedures, and the infringement decision was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in September 2017.
Acquisition by Malibu Boats
In July 2017, rival firm Malibu Boats completed a $130 million acquisition of Cobalt Boats. The transaction preserved Cobalt’s manufacturing activities in Neodesha, Kansas, while appointing CEO Paxson St. Clair to Malibu’s board of directors. Malibu had sought this acquisition for several years and committed to sustaining the Cobalt brand alongside maintaining substantial operations in Neodesha.