Meet the all-new coastal Cobalt 256
Every so often a new model comes along that changes how you think about a size class. The all-new Cobalt 265 Coastal is one of them. Cobalt calls it “a new perspective on coastal luxury,” and after going through the features and specs, we can see why.ย
It’s a 26-foot luxury outboard boat built for coastal cruising, open-water adventures, and relaxed days at the sandbar. It pairs a deeper-V hull and higher freeboard with the fit, finish, and comfort Cobalt is known for. It has a yacht certified capacity and has an enclosed head compartment, so it works as a day boat for the whole crew.ย
If you’ve been following our 2027 model-year coverage, you know this is a big year for new boats. Here’s a closer look at the 265 Coastal and who it’s built for.ย
Built for Bigger Water: Hull and Rideย
The 265 Coastal has a 21-degree deadrise at the transom and higher freeboard than you’d expect in this size range. A steeper deadrise helps the hull cut through chop instead of slapping over it, and higher sides add a sense of security for everyone aboard, especially kids.ย
Beneath the gelcoat, the construction is what you’d want from a boat that will see open water:ย
- Kevlar-reinforced hullย
- Fiberglass stringer systemย
- Composite floor and composite transomย
- Fiberglass cockpit linerย
- Stainless steel windshield bracesย
Cobalt backs it with a 10/5/3-year warranty protection package. For a boat you plan to keep for years, that’s worth looking at closely.ย
The key numbers:ย
| Specย | 265 Coastalย |
| Length overall (with swim platform)ย | 26′ 8″ย |
| Beamย | 8′ 6″ย |
| Dry weightย | 7,148 lbs.ย |
| Fuel capacityย | 116 gal.ย |
| Fresh waterย | 10 gal.ย |
| Capacityย | Yacht Certifiedย |
| Draft (drive up / down)ย | 22.5″ / 32.5″ย |
The drive-up draft of 22.5 inches helps if you like creeping into shallow coves and sandy beaches. The 116-gallon fuel tank gives you range for a full day of cruising, with plenty left for the trip home.ย
Tower & Shade Options
Towers and shade are where the 265 Coastal gets flexible. Cobalt offers several overhead options, so you can set up the boat for how you use it:ย
- P2 Tower: An electric-folding tower with your choice of Bimini, sunshade, or Ultra-Lite Hardtop. Available in black or white, with optional tower speakers and shade sails.ย
- Coastal Tower with Ultra-Lite Hardtop: A hardtop in black or white with customizable underside accent colors. It’s designed for all-day comfort, with optional tower speakers and bow and stern shade sails.ย
- Luxe Tower: Electric-folding with a standard Bimini, a rearview camera, and RGB lighting.ย
- E3 Tower: A manual-folding tower with a standard Bimini and available board racks. It’s the practical choice.ย
Bridge clearance is 102 inches with the tower up. With the hardtop in its low position, it drops to 69 inches, which helps when you’re clearing a bridge or tucking into a boathouse or covered slip.ย
Docking is easier too. Six fender clips with lines come standard, along with stainless steel bow, midship, and stern cleats, a bow scuff plate, and a motorbox actuator. The swim platform has a flip-down swim step, so getting in and out of the water is easy for kids, grandparents, and the family dog.ย
A Cockpit Made for Companyย
Yacht certified capacity is a lot in a 26-footer, and Cobalt lays it out for lounging. The interior comes in four colorways, and a bow walk-thru door makes it easy to get to the front without climbing over anything. The standard features include:ย
- Sundeck convertible lounger for soaking up the sunย
- Passenger flip-backrest seating system so you can face the action or the viewย
- Del Mar helm captain’s chairย
- Dash storage pocket, a 3.5-gallon trash receptacle, and a 29-quart Cobalt coolerย
You can add a solid teak dinette table or a dinette table with teak accent, plus weighted throw pillows, a bow center cushion insert, sea grass floor covering, and a wood interior accent package (with or without phone chargers). Other options include a transom ice chest, Sof-Trac mats for the cockpit, gunwales, and swim platform, and storage compartment lighting.ย
The Enclosed Headย
An enclosed head compartment is rare in a boat this size. The 265 Coastal includes one with a standard Porta-Potti. Upgrades include a pump-out Porta-Potti, a macerator version, and VacuFlush systems, plus a sink console, a portal light, and a gray water system. It’s one of those features you won’t think about until you need it, and then you’ll be glad it’s there. It helps on long days with guests of all ages.ย
A Modern Helmย
The helm has dual Garmin touchscreens. Standard is a dual 9-inch Garmin glass cockpit, with digital information and easy access to essential boating controls. If you like a bigger view, you can step up to dual 12-inch Garmin displays. A Garmin marine electronics setup puts navigation, depth, and engine data in one place.ย
The rest of the dash is just as thoughtful. You get dual 12-volt accessory plugs, illuminated stainless steel switches, a digital hour meter, a depth and water temperature package, a composite helm eyebrow with custom stitching, and a color-matched leather steering wheel. Options include a wireless phone charger with holder, XM Weather, a Garmin passenger helm watch, an electric helm seat, and a stainless steel steering wheel.ย
For docking confidence, the options include a bow thruster, Power Poles, Pro Control trim tabs, and an all-chain windlass with anchor. Cobalt’s gallery also shows a joystick docking control at the helm. If easy docking matters to you, ask us which controls come with the engine package you’re considering.ย
Power: Mercury or Yamaha, up to 400 Horsepowerย
The 265 Coastal is an outboard boat, and Cobalt offers two respected engine families. You can choose from Mercury Verado or Yamaha power:ย
Mercury Verado (black or white, with PAS):ย
- 300 hpย
- 350 hp V10ย
- 400 hp V10ย
Yamaha (white):ย
- F300 XCA, 300 hpย
- F350 XSA, 350 hpย
- Twin F200 XCA, 400 hpย
You can learn more about each engine family at Mercury Marine and Yamaha Outboards. The twin-engine Yamaha setup gives you the redundancy some offshore boaters like. A single-engine setup keeps things simpler on the water and at the shop. Both work well, and the right choice depends on where you boat and how you use the boat. For Mercury engines, Active Trim and a Reverso engine flush are available as options.ย
Sound and Lightingย
Premium sound comes standard, with transom speakers, an arch speaker cover, a dash stereo remote, and an iPod/USB/MP3 port. If you want more, you can step up to the Harman Kardon Platinum Audio system, which has 8-inch speakers, a 12-inch subwoofer, and dedicated amplification. You can also choose from Platinum or Premium packages with transom and arch speakers, and add satellite radio.ย
After sunset, RGB accent lighting with multiple user-adjustable modes lets you set the mood in the cockpit. Add underwater RGB lighting, swim platform transom lighting, and stainless steel docking lights, and the 265 Coastal looks as good at the dock at night as it does on the water during the day.ย
Made for Fishing and Water Sports
The Coastal name points to saltwater, but this boat isn’t one-dimensional. The options include gunwale rod holders, arch rod holders, and a transom shower for rinsing off. If you’re more interested in tubing and watersports, you can add a stainless steel ski pylon or wakeboard racks from several makers. A bow boarding ladder makes it easy to climb back aboard after a beach stop.
That mix of uses is the point. The 265 Coastal is a family boat, a fishing boat, a sandbar boat, and a cruising boat, all at once.ย
Who Is the Cobalt 265 Coastal For?ย
This boat suits you if:ย
- You want a bigger-water boat without going to 30+ feet. The deadrise and freeboard give you coastal capability in a 26-foot package.ย
- You entertain often. Seating for 14, a dinette, premium audio, and RGB lighting make hosting easy.ย
- You want real onboard amenities. An enclosed head and a cooler make long days more comfortable.ย
- You value flexibility. Four tower options and a long options list let you build the boat to match how you boat.ย
See It for Yourselfย
Specs only tell part of the story. The best way to understand a boat is to step aboard, sit at the helm, and walk the deck. You can explore the Cobalt 265 Coastal on Cobalt’s website, watch the product tour videos, or use Cobalt’s Design Your Dream tool to build your own.ย
When you’re ready, contact the our team to talk through options, financing, and delivery timing. Our certified technicians and customer service team are here before and after the sale, and we’d love to help you find the right boat for your family.ย
