The following review was written by John Page Williams, Editor-at-large, Chesapeake Bay Magazine. John, senior naturalist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has been a regular contributor to Chesapeake Bay Magazine for 30 years, specializing in environmental issues, nature, wildlife, fishing and boats. He has been testing new and used boats for the magazine's Time-Tested and New Boat News departments since 1998.

FEBRUARY 2010

Length overall  30' 2" Beam  9' 5"  Draft  3' 1"  Deadrise  21 degrees Weight 7,350 lb Fuel 125 gals/ Water 18 gals Waste 18 gals Base Price  $134,125

Cobalt has refined its already-classic 29-foot bowrider to make even more efficient use of space. New features include an L-shaped bow settee that provides comfortable rear-facing seating as well as two forward-facing lounges; pillow seat-backs in the spacious cockpit; and retractable docklines for convenience. From almost any other builder, these features would sound like gimmicks, but Cobalt makes all three practical. Cobalt Boats, Neodesha, Kan., 800-468-5764; www.cobaltboats.com