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Beyond the InterfaceThe technical word is "interface," those sensory exchanges between boat and owner, those points of contact so fundamental to the enjoyment of a day on the water, so critical to the determination of a boat's long-term value. Glance at any of the cockpit photography a few pages along, and witness the full effect of a Cobalt interior in the altogether. Better yet, cruise a Cobalt at first opportunity for some meaningful, memorable interfacing of your own.
Start at the helm, where strength meets stylish strength. Rock-solid fiberglass substructure rides beneath upholstered good looks, as optional woods wait to dress the helm's metal panels. The instrumentation and its mountings borrow from aircraft and the jewelry designers alike. Switching is sure, firm, and right there. The flip-lip seat, that grand old Cobalt invention now being copied here and there, introduces cockpit seating whose layout welcomes, whose firmness supports all day long, whose flexibility adapts to exactly who and how many have come aboard. All Cobalt upholstery is now two-toned, bow to stern, every model -- 200 to 343, and again this year Cobalt upholstery involves the fingers. Buttersoft and bullstrong, as tactile as they're easy on the eye, the vinyls here are never expanded, always double-fastened with both glues and staples, and stitched with meticulous precision. Underfoot, the carpet is snap-down/snap-out, rubber-backed, backed again with skip resistant no-flex flooring under all, and heavy. Heavy far beyond any marine standard. Fast forward now to Cobalt audio and video systems, to the music and movies waiting to make good afternoons more melodic, good evenings more dramatic. Six waterproof speakers position themselves strategically, aiming tunes to maximum entertainment effect; Sonys are standard, Kickers optional. Standard too are iPod® and MP3 ports, remote controls mounted at the helm and optionally at the transom, and - on some boats - DVD packages. For boaters really ready to rock, there are optional subwoofers, tower speakers with power amps, and the million or so musical and informational choices that are XM satellite radio. Cobalt has covered the interfacial bases, it would seem, sufficient to the Cindy Hawley seal of approval. Straight, smooth, uniform, and very, very good looking.
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