Cobalt yacht is a luxurious wonder on the water

By BRIAN WALKER

Hagadone News Network

COEUR d'ALENE — If riding in luxury floats your boat — or at least piques your dreams — Hagadone Marine Center will boast the cream of the waterscape at the Spokane Boat Show.

A 2017 Cobalt A40 Coupe yacht that retails for $862,849 has arrived here fresh from Cobalt's manufacturing facility in Neodesha, Kan.

"It will be the most expensive boat ever displayed at the show," said Paul Nielsen, Hagadone Marine Group's director of sales, referring to the 63rd annual event. "It will also be the largest Cobalt ever displayed."

"We have just one on our lake (Coeur d'Alene) that we sold last year."

The features are mind-boggling: air conditioning, heating, electric barbecue grill, wood flooring, satellite TVs, moonroof, premium sound, sleeping quarters, sunpads with recliners, joystick drive system, digital throttle, glass cockpit and of course, weighted pillows that have no chance of flying out.

"It's completely self-contained," Nielsen said.

Simply put, Nielsen refers to the 40-foot, 800-horsepower cruiser that seats 15 comfortably as a "condo on the water."

To put the price tag into perspective, the average Cobalt, one of the premier brands of fiberglass boats in the world, sells for around $80,000.

Nielsen has another way of looking at the cost.

"Nine hundred thousand dollars sounds like a lot, but try finding a condo on the north end of the lake with amenities of more than $1 million and still having to buy a boat," he said.

Nielsen can't wait to show the yacht off at the show, which runs Saturday through Feb. 4 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center.

"It certainly shows our level of excellence and commitment to the Cobalt brand," he said.

The yacht is just the eighth of its type to hit the market.

Nielsen said he wouldn't be surprised if Hagadone Marine Center sells a couple more of the cruisers this year considering the boat market is sizzling. The company had record sales in 2016 and is expecting another record year this year.

"We definitely have folks who are interested already," he said.

Hagadone Marine is anticipating selling its 1,000th Cobalt boat this year.

Craig Brosenne, the marine group's general manager, said the A40 yacht will travel up to 48 mph. But, in this case, he said speed and power don't translate to noise.

"When you get on the lake it's remarkable how quiet it is," he said. "The diesel is so quiet. A lot of big boats have power but are loud."

Nielsen said the cruiser is ideal for most large lakes in the region and its low profile and bridge clearance of 13 feet, 9 inches allows for travel under structures such as the bridge at Sandpoint.

Nielsen expects the yacht will be a great conversation piece to get boaters' blood pumping about the upcoming season.

"Interest rates are good so you can get a payment that's reasonable and have an awesome boat," he said, referring to boat sales in general. "The economy is stronger, Kootenai County is the fastest-growing area in the state and the lakes are the draw."

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If you go

The 63rd annual Spokane Boat Show will be held Saturday through Feb. 4 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Monday through next Friday; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Feb. 4. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12 to 17 and children under 12 are free. Parking is free and there are no advance ticket sales.