2018 Cobia 277

Description

Cobia designed the 277 CC to plug a hole in its lineup, between its 256 CC and 296 CC center console models. Much like Goldilocks’ too-cold, too-hot porridge predicament, many anglers felt as if Cobia’s 296 CC was too big for near-shore and coastal work, while the 256 CC was too small for the same task. Based on what I found at the 277 CC’s debut at the Miami International Boat Show in February, this boat should be a good size for folks who might ply back bays in the morning and fish coastal wrecks in the afternoon. As Goldilocks would say, it’s “just right.”

While the Cobia 277 CC can handle up to 500 horsepower, the twin Yamaha F200 option is likely to be the most popular.

The 277 CC shares a ton of design cues from its smaller and larger siblings, including a sheer line that rises dramatically to an aggressive bow that has lots of flare to keep things dry. The entry is steep and piercing, but is also graceful and elegant at the same time. Under the waterline is a deep-V hull with 21 degrees of transom deadrise that draws just under two feet (22 inches). That draft will keep you from fishing sorties in water that’s super-skinny, but is plenty shallow for fishing most coastal bays. The 21-degree transom deadrise hints at this boat’s offshore DNA, and should make wreck- and reef-hopping in sloppy water off the coast a breeze.

If you’ve ever hopped aboard or run a Cobia, you know how solid and well built they feel. The 277 CC is no different. Cobias are built using modern techniques that utilize lots of modern materials, including high-density foam coring, multi-directional fiberglass cloths, and vinylester resin. The hull is wood-free. Many of the coring materials are precision fabricated from stock sheets using a three-axis CNC router. A large structural grid made of high-density PVC foam stiffens the whole package and is assembled and laminated to the hull by hand. If the 256 CC and 344 CC models that I’ve run are any gauge, the 277 should be a solid and stiff performer.

Coba uses high-density PVC foam stringers that are hand-laminated to the hull. The result is a stiff and solid-feeling boat.

There are a number of different Yamaha power plant options for the 277 CC—up to a maximum of 500 horsepower—but I think the most popular setup is going to be with two of Yamaha’s F200 2.8-liter, four-cylinder outboards. Those 400 ponies are capable of pushing the 277 CC to 50.1 mph at wide-open throttle (5,900 rpm), where the two outboards consume 38.8 gallons per hour. Back down to nearly half that speed at a nice 26-mph cruise, and the 277 CC becomes extremely efficient, drawing only 11.2 gallons each hour from the 189-gallon fuel tank. That nets around 438 miles of theoretical cruising range, an impressive number for a boat like this.

Performance Data Test conditions: winds 15-20 knots, four POB. Performance data courtesy of Yamaha. RPM MPH GPH MPG 1000 5.5 1.5 3.67 2000 9.3 4.4 2.13 3000 18.9 9.2 2.05 4000 31.6 14.4 2.19 5000 41.6 27.0 1.54 5900 50.1 38.8 1.29 Power Twin Yamaha F200 four-stroke outboards, swinging two 14.25" x 18" three-bladed stainless-steel props.

On deck, the 277 CC is typical Cobia, with lots of high-quality, stainless-steel deck fittings, hatches that operate with precision, and plenty of convertible seating both in the cockpit and up forward. A feature I really loved on the Cobia 344 CC is also on the 277 CC, and I was happy to see it. “It” is an electrically operated bow table, which can lower all the way flush with the deck; raise to form a large casting platform; or be raised even farther to create a sizeable dining table. Even better on the 277 CC was that its action felt faster than the table operation I complained about on the 344 CC. And yes, a lot of folks might think that this is a gimmicky feature, but there’s no table to store, no insert to mess with, and it’s all done with the push of a button. Family fun or serious fishing in one easy, automated step.

Prest-o change-o. The Cobia 277 CC's forward table is electrically operated and can be lowered flat to the deck; raised to form a casting platform; or fully raised to form a dining table.

Like a majority of center-console boats over 20 feet these days, the 277 CC has an under-console compartment with a head and washbasin. The one on the 277 CC is particularly nice, equipped with an electric China bowl head versus a portable MSD, and it also has a drain in the floor, which means you can use the pullout sink faucet for a quick shower or to rinse off a day’s worth of salt spray. Behind the head and washbasin is a vinyl, snap-button access cover that hides the backsides of the electronics and other gear in the console’s dash. That ease of access is nice, but I felt as if the vinyl snap cover was a little cheap for a boat of this caliber.

This boat is certainly comfortable enough to have family and friends aboard, but its reason for existing is primarily for fishing. Of course, I found plenty of features that anglers will enjoy. Something I often find lacking on a lot of “fishing” boats are both livewell and fish locker spaces, but this is one area where every Cobia I’ve ever run excels. There are two, 47-gallon insulated fish boxes with macerated overboard drains in the cockpit, and a beautifully crafted 42-gallon insulated livewell set into the top of the transom. Rod stowage abounds, with room for six rods under the port and starboard gunwales, eight gunwale-mounted holders, and rocket launchers on the hardtop and console seating that are good for nine more places to stow your angling sabers. I also really liked the plethora of tackle boxes and drawers that are built in to the cockpit side of the dual center-console helm seats.

The Cobia 277 CC's dash is expansive, with lots of room for all sorts of fish-finding goodies. Photo by Gary Reich

Finding the fish is half the battle, and with an expansive dash and helm area in the center-console unit, you can put in up to two 12-inch multifunction displays and a host of other electronics to reveal fish in their secret hidey-holes. As with other Cobias, I liked the placement of the engine controls near the stainless-steel, destroyer-style steering wheel. Trim tab actuators, control switches, and Yamaha’s Command Link Plus panel were all within eyeshot and easy to reach. The console-wide stowage area beneath the helm is hidden behind a hatch and a great place to safely stow smartphones, keys, and wallets. Pop a couple of cold ones in the twin inset drink holders, queue up your favorite playlist on the Fusion stereo, and you’re on your way to an afternoon of boating bliss.

Specifications Length 27'7" Beam 9'8" Draft (hull) 1'10" Deadrise 21 degrees Displacement 5,200 lbs Fuel capacity 189 gal.

While there are tons of great things about this boat, I did find a couple of things I’d change. Access to the water for boating larger fish is limited, as it seems to be with lots of boats in this class with twin outboards. There is a transom walkthrough and small platform on the transom, but it’s limited in size. Additionally, the Plexiglas console windshield seemed a bit short and insignificant. If you’re going to use a boat in an offshore chop, it’s awfully nice to have something substantial to brace behind and stay dry. The one on my review boat felt as if it was a bit of an afterthought.

All in all, the Cobia 277 CC held few surprises. It looks and feels as capable and solid as the rest of the company’s center-console lineup. And while I didn’t get a chance to take the 277 CC out on the water and put it through its paces, if it’s anything like the other Cobia boats I’ve run, well, we’re all in for a treat. Oh, and the size? It’s just right.

Disclaimer
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

Additional Contact Information

I can help to assist with financing, insurance, dockage and any marine related services. Please contact me with any questions or to schedule an appointment to view this boat.   

Dan Paolillo ~ 561-779-0603 ~ danp@kamyachtsales.com