User:Vc1492a/Cobalt
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Cobalt Boats, [1], is a luxury boat manufacturer that was founded and is currently based in Neodesha, Kansas. The Company was founded by Pack St. Clair in the late 60's, under the business license name of Fiberglass Engineering Inc., and the Tri-Hull models of the 70's established the company as a premier luxury boat manufacturer. The company currently employs an average of 600 associates at the Kansas facility, and builds boats ranging from 20 feet to around 34 feet. Cobalt Boats has recently founded a second company, Cobalt Yachts, [2], under the business license name of Cobalt Yachts, LLC, to build luxury yachts ranging from 36 feet to 55 feet. In total, the model range of the two companies, operating under one common brand, will extend from 20 feet to 55 feet. The largest boat previously produced by the Boats division was 36, and was known as the name 360.
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[edit] The Boats
Cobalt Boats uses a variety of techniques and materials to achieve long lasting quality and excellence. All of the hulls are currently re-enforced with fiberglass stringers, regardless of size, and are made with Kevlar, a material used in military tanks and other vehicles. All upholstery in manufactured in-house, by hand, allowing a truly exceptional product. Leather and Wood trim surround the occupants of the boat with world-class materials, and customers are available to select wood type and upholstery color. A number of color options and engine packages are available for every boat, with engine packages available from Mercury Marine and [Volvo Penta]]. The current 2007 model range includes the 200, 202, 212, 220, 222, 232, 240, 250, 252, 262, 263, 272, 282, 302, 303, 323, and 343.
[edit] Recognition
Cobalt Boats has been largely recognized around the world for their luxury water craft, and currently hold the J.D. Powers and Associates best in class award for customer satisfaction in the Large Runabout category. Cobalt has won the award from the first year it was instituted, 2001. Cobalt is also widely known for the ability of their boats being able to stay very stable and maneuverable in rough water, exceptional build quality, outstanding warranty, and their customer service. The Kansas boat facility has also received an award for Pollution Prevention from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and by The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable in Washington DC.
[edit] Innovations
Cobalt has been in the midst of many firsts in the boating industry. In 1985, Cobalt introduced the extended running platform, which allowed the boats to keep more of the hull on the water for an extended amount of time, and allowed the boats to achieve greater speed and agility. Cobalt was also one of the first companies to produce a Jet Boat, although this endeavor did not last for a long period of time. The boat company was also the first to install a Stainless Steel scuff plate on all of their boats standard; other manufacturers either offer it as an option, or did not offer it at all. All Cobalts also include stainless steel rubrails on the side of the boat, in order to keep contact with docks and other marine objects away from the hull, to preserve the quality and beauty of the boat. Cobalt also uses an all Fiberglass stringer system for all their boats, regardless of size, in order to keep the rigidity of the boat at an all-time high. They also use a special Gel Coat in the building process that creates a very reflective surface on the side of the boat, creating a very striking appearance on the water. Kevlar is also used in the manufacturing process of the boats, to increase strength, and is supplied by Dupont.
A free owner's forum for Cobalt Boats was started on July 6th, 2007 and is expected to gain momentum with participants inquiring about and discussing Cobalt boat models and associated topics. See cobaltboatsforum.com
[edit] Production
Cobalt currently penetrates about 4-5% of the worldwide market, and does not produce enough boats to keep up with demand; for two reasons. The first being the capacity of the manufacturing facility in Kansas, and the other being their philosophy of selling their boats in a small niche of the segment, to a certain type of customer. The 343 is a good example: the boat is a cigarette type boat, featuring a stepped hull, yet with all the luxury amenities of a luxury water craft. Boats in this segment usually offer a lot of speed, but with compromising the quality of the boat. Formula Boats currently builds boats like the 343, and with much greater speed, but without the creature comforts and comfortability of the 343.
[edit] Competition
Even though Cobalt's boats are higher in price and quality of other boats manufacturers in the segment, many have created models designed specifically to compete with Cobalt, and even though Cobalt operates in a niche segment of the class, many have attempted to penetrate this segment. Such Boat manufactures include Regal Boats, [3], and Sea Ray, [4], which produced the 270 Select EX to directly compete with Cobalt's 272.
[edit] Issues
As with other boat manufacturers in the industry today, Cobalt is feeling the effects of a large boating slowdown, in part caused by a slightly weaker market. The 343 has also been criticized for its air intake at the rear of the craft, as many people have had their feet fall into the hole and got cut by the air intake blades. On one occasion, a customer actually needed stitches. The first 343 models produced in Vonore, Tennessee also had a variety of quality issues.
[edit] Economic Impact
Cobalt Boats has a very large economic impact of Neodesha, Kansas. The population of the town is roughly 2,600, with about 23% of the town working for the company. It has allowed the area to grow over the years, and if the company ever left, it would devastate the local community, as many people would have to move to other locations for jobs, and ultimately hurt the town.
--by Valentino Constantinou 18:59, 21 June 2007 (UTC)
