Cobia might not have the cult-like following of Aquasport or Mako, but the builder has been producing boats for 60 years.
Cobias were originally built by Southern Fiber Glass Products of Orlando, Florida, in the late ’50s. In 1993, Yamaha Marine purchased the company and added new models to the lineup. In 2005, Maverick Boat Group — the Fort Pierce, Florida, builder of Maverick, Hewes and Pathfinder boats — bought Cobia, and the brand underwent a transformation with a new product lineup.
Today, the Cobia fleet includes nine center consoles and dual consoles that range from the 201 CC to the new 350 CC flagship.
The 350 CC rides a twin-step, deep-vee hull that will run offshore with the herd. Powered by triple Yamaha F300s, the boat has a top end of 54 knots fully loaded (11,500 pounds), according to Cobia. But speed is only part of the equation. Cobia says that at 3,500 rpm, the boat cruises at 29 knots while burning 22.9 gph — not bad for a triple-engine 35-footer. Twin Yamaha XF425 outboards are an option.
The 350 CC carries its 11-foot, 2-inch beam well forward, providing plenty of fishing room and space for an oversized console, a walk-in head, a spacious berth and an interior that includes faux wood cabinetry, a sink, a shower, and stowage for rods and gear. The battery switches, breaker panel and helm electrics are accessible from inside the console.
The helm area is protected by an expansive hardtop with a glass windshield. The hardtop has recessed lighting, an electronics box and ventilated PFD stowage located above the three Llebroc helm seats with flip-up bolsters. The dash has room for a pair of 24-inch multifunction displays, and the switch panels and engine controls are easily accessible.
The bow area includes seating molded into the front of the console, with a pair of insulated coolers beneath it, and forward-facing lounges with foldaway backrests that integrate into a U-shaped lounge with stowage. An electrically actuated table stows in the deck and can be partially raised to form a casting platform, or turned into a sunpad with a snap-in cushion. There is additional seating in the cockpit, including a flip-down transom bench.
Like all the boats coming out of the Maverick facilities, the 350 CC has no shortage of fishing features, including dual 42-gallon, pressurized live wells in the transom with raw-water feeds from a sea chest in the lazarette. The boat also has two in-deck fishboxes, a tackle and rigging station abaft the helm seats, and rod holders in the gunwales, on the hardtop and alongside the rigging station, in addition to lockable rod stowage below deck.
Outfitted with outriggers and a center rigger, the 350 CC trolls like a bigger boat and flies kites easily. The cockpit has a dive door on the starboard side and an access door to the transom. The stern seat lifts to create wide-open access to the bilge to access pumps, fuel filters and raw-water pickups. The battery bank resides in a watertight compartment beneath the helm seats.
Cobia didn’t miss a trick with the 350 CC. It’s well-designed — with anglers in mind — and the build quality is superb. Check out the entire Cobia fleet here.
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