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Brief Summary
Cobalt blends performance and luxury in its boats and that is clearly seen here with the 360. She’s an exciting express cruiser that makes a great weekender by combining performance and overnighting accommodations for four.
Key Features
- Good performance and handling abilities
- Nimble and turns better than some boats half her size
- A wet bar with sink
- Large swim platform with walk-thru transom
- Aluminum pointed radar arch
- Handsomely appointed interior finished in cherrywood
- CD stereo along with DVD and flat screen TV for entertaining
Considerations
- Low cabin headroom
- Aft cabin is on the small side for two adults
Test Results
RPM | MPH | Knots | GPH | MPG | NMPG | STAT. MILE | NM | dBa |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
600 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 1.72 | 1.5 | 269 | 234 | 69 |
1000 | 6.7 | 5.8 | 4.1 | 1.63 | 1.42 | 256 | 223 | 71 |
1500 | 9.4 | 8.1 | 7.5 | 1.25 | 1.08 | 195 | 170 | 75 |
2000 | 11.3 | 9.8 | 13.1 | 0.86 | 0.75 | 134 | 117 | 84 |
2500 | 17.9 | 15.5 | 20.6 | 0.87 | 0.75 | 136 | 118 | 84 |
3000 | 27.2 | 23.6 | 21.2 | 1.28 | 1.11 | 201 | 174 | 84 |
3500 | 36.2 | 31.4 | 27.6 | 1.31 | 1.14 | 205 | 178 | 84 |
4000 | 42.9 | 37.3 | 38.9 | 1.1 | 0.96 | 173 | 150 | 86 |
4500 | 47.8 | 41.6 | 55.8 | 0.86 | 0.74 | 134 | 117 | 88 |
4800 | 49.8 | 43.3 | 59.3 | 0.84 | 0.73 | 132 | 114 | 88 |
Specifications
Length Overall | 36' 0'' |
---|---|
Beam | 10' 6'' |
Dry Weight | 13, 700 lbs. |
Draft | 2' 3'' |
Deadrise/Transom | 20 deg. |
Max Headroom | N/A |
Bridge Clearance | 9' 6'' |
Fuel Capacity | 174 gal. |
Water Capacity | 35 gal. |
Acceleration Times & Conditions
Time to Plane | 6.0 sec. |
---|---|
0 to 30 | 9.2 sec. |
Ratio | 1.81 :1 |
Props | 22 ss |
Load | 2 persons, 1/3 fuel, no water, min. gear |
Climate | 75 deg., 60% humid.; wind: calm; seas: 1' chop |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
2 x 375-hp MerCruiser 496 MAG Sterndrives |
---|---|
Std. Power |
2 x 260-hp MerCruiser 5.0 L Alpha |
Opt. Power |
2 x 300 MerCruiser 350 Mag MPI 2 x 425-hp MerCruiser 496 Mag HO Bravo 1 2 x 225-hp Volvo Penta 4.3 GXi SX 2 x 375-hp Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi DP |
Warranty
Deck Warranty Extended | 10-Years |
---|---|
Engine Warranty Extended | 5-Year |
Gelcoat Warranty Extended | 2-Year |
Hull Warranty Extended | 10-Year |
Captain's Report
Learn More
Watch Our Video
Cobalt's 360 Blends Performance and Luxury
Tested by Capt. Ron Svoboda
The largest boat in the Cobalt line is the 360. She is geared toward customers seeking the best that the cruising and performance boating worlds have to offer. By combining world-class quality and exciting performance, the engineers at Cobalt have truly developed a vessel with few compromises. This luxury performance cruiser combines contemporary styling, innovation and extensive attention to details.
The Walk-Thru
As we begin our tour of the 360, we find a large swim platform and a centerline transom walk-thru, both can be finished with optional teak. Flanking the port and starboard sides are sun lounges, drink holders and small storage hatches. Inside two of the hatches are waterproof stereo speakers, innovatively mounted to the under side of the hatch. When open, these speakers provide those aft in the water the opportunity to enjoy the music of the day.
Moving forward into the 360’s cockpit, we find a large U-shaped settee to starboard and a smaller L-shaped settee to port. Just forward is a wet-bar with sink and storage cabinets below. Below all the cushions in the cockpit is storage space for large items such as safety gear or fenders.
The Helm
The starboard side helm is impressive with its array of gauges, controls and electronic instrumentation. The helm is almost two-thirds the width of the vessel and provides enough room for two at the captain’s chair. The dash is finished in jet black with leatherette and real Bubinga wood accents. Everything is well laid out, easy to read and easy to use. Kiekhaefer controls come standard on this boat.
For 2003, the 360 is equipped with optional ZF electronic engine controls for the throttles and drives. These control units are among the latest ‘fly-by-wire’ technologies making their way to the consumer market place. The amazing ease of use does take some getting used to, since most of the other controls on the water these days require a heavy hand to strong arm the controls to perform. Another subtlety at the helm is the pop-out step and sure-footed access to the foredeck. Here you will find rubberized traction leading to the wide, folding glass windshield. Finishing off the cockpit amenities is a molded fiberglass radar arch to provide you with all the space you’ll need for antennas and for securing the convertible top.
Below Deck
Access through the companionway is via a sliding, smoked acrylic door. A few steps down and you’re in the 360’s cabin, where the decor is that of a fine, European motor yacht. One of the trademarks of Cobalt’s quality is their attention to detail. This is apparent in the cabin, where the handsomely appointed interior is finished in cherry wood and supple tan leather upholstery.
One of the first things to catch your eye below deck is the 360’s galley, which is located to port. A beautiful Zodiac counter top is complimented by a polished stainless steel sink and faucet. Neatly concealed behind the cherry cabinet doors is a microwave oven and a refrigerator below.
Forward is a V-shaped, leather settee and cherry wood dining table. There is lots of room here to relax, or to enjoy your gourmet meals. This area converts into the main berth with the addition of three filler cushions. A CD stereo provides the cabin ambiance, along with a DVD player and flat screen TV monitor. These are located in a starboard side cabinet that also houses a cedar lined hanging closet and two drawers for your wardrobe items.
Directly aft of this cabinet is the head. Here you have a Vacu-flush toilet, vanity with sink, and shower. The 360’s layout includes an aft cabin for your guests or children. It has a deep, double berth, but may be a bit claustrophobic for some of us.
The Business End
Back at the helm, we put the 360 through its paces. Cobalt offers several gasoline engine packages from either Volvo Penta or MerCruiser. If you wish to go with diesel engines, then you can choose from either MerCruiser or Volvo Penta power plants. Whether you choose gas or diesel, the stern drive configuration provides good space management and makes minor maintenance a breeze.
Performance and handling are remarkable for a boat of this size. There is some prop slip half way through the acceleration curve, but once on plane, the ride is excellent. The 360 is nimble and carves turns better than some sportboats that are half her size. With the effortless electronic throttles and superb power steering, we performed slaloms during the test at full throttle using literally one finger to steer.
The Cobalt 360 is a fine blend of performance and luxury. The only compromises I found were that the cabin headroom was awkward for us tall folks, and that the aft cabin could really only be enjoyed by children. But after driving this boat I quickly forgot about those things.
Cobalt is top of the line in quality, and you will pay for it. But your resale value will also be higher, and your problems should be far less. Someone once said, "you never regret buying the best."