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Cobia 261 CC: 2017 Boat Buyers Guide

A safe, dependable boat that has proved itself credible time and time again.
Cobia 261 CC
LOA: 26’1″ | Beam: 9’3″ | Fuel Capacity: 161 gal. | Dry Weight: 4,850 lb. plus power | Max Horsepower: 400 | Certifications: NMMA Courtesy Cobia

Yes, you can have a handsome, family-friendly, fisher, packed with tournament quality construction and not gasp at the price.

Survey respondents gave Cobia top marks in range, speed and fuel efficiency, a veritable performance triple threat. They liked what the company stands for too, rounding out the top-attribute list with customer service and brand reputation. Construction, safety, available equipment, ride and stability also got high grades.

Cobia, specializing particularly in center console craft (the line includes one bay boat and a dual console), has been part of the Maverick Boat Company for about 10 years, sharing that corporate home with Maverick skiffs, Hewes backcountry boats and Pathfinder bay boats. Cobia’s half-century tradition of building family-friendly boats has been enriched by Maverick’s top-flight production insights and techniques.

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Naval architects’ and designers’ plans come to fruition through automated routing and computer-assisted design (CAD) technology. On the ­boatbuilding floor, all ­fasteners are either through-bolted, seated in screw-retention materials, or both. Cobia makes its own wiring harnesses, specific to each boat. Double hose clamps secure plumbing connections, and through-hulls are made of stainless steel, not plastic.

Cobia calls its boats a pleasing combination of performance, quality and proven workmanship. Those who know the brand agree.

Cobia 261 CC
Recessed grab rails and seat backs that fold into coamings are premium features building value. Courtesy Cobia

261 CC

Big space in a smaller boat — that’s the apparent magic Cobia has performed with its new 261 CC. The 9-foot-3-inch-wide 26-footer boasts 83.5 square feet of cockpit space distributed in fisherman-pleasing ways behind a deluxe tackle station (with premium helm seating) and ahead of the forward-entry console (admitting crew to a step-down head area).

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Up front is split bow seating whose filler, cushions and backrests can be stashed or folded away when not needed, which makes it easy to wage a 360-degree fish fight or easily handle anchoring chores.

Figure on many successful fish fights. The 261 is built for especially for them.

Standard are a pair of ­45-gallon insulated fish boxes within the cockpit, and a 29-gallon livewell. Several rod-holder arrangements are available, with six gunwale rod holders, and undergunwale rod storage is standard too.

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An optional fiberglass hardtop with outriggers, electronics box and spreader lights render the 261 CC a premier fishing machine; you even can add a pair of kingfish rod holders and more.

Powered by a pair of midsize Yamaha outboards or a single 300 hp, the 261 CC is ready to take anglers to far-off places in an elegant, no-bigger-than-it-needs-to-be boat.

More Info: cobiaboats.com

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