Cobalt A36 Boats For Sale

The Cobalt A36 is a 36-foot American-built day boat that merges a coupe-style hardtop with bow rider openness, and it's sold in two configurations: the full coupe A36 and the A36 Bow Rider (A36BR), whose redesigned cabin and bow open up a larger, deeper bow seating area while letting air flow through underway. It suits buyers who want a single large entertaining platform rather than a true cruiser, with the option to close everything off using the supplied full enclosure for cold days or overnight stays. The hull carries a 22-degree deadrise that keeps it settled in rough water, and the 189-gallon fuel tank feeds gas V8 engines that run happily on 87 octane.

Power on the Cobalt A36 comes from twin Volvo Penta V8s based on the 6.2-liter block, offered at 380 horsepower or a 430-horsepower upgrade. With the 430s, top speed runs around 45 knots and cruising range is roughly 225 miles; boats equipped with the 380s top out near 50 mph. Fuel consumption works out to about 1.2 to 1.3 miles per gallon. The twin-engine setup pairs with a Volvo joystick for tight-quarters docking, and the boat handles like a sports car for its size.

The helm is a clean glass cockpit with twin Garmin multifunction displays (12-inch standard, 16-inch optional), a Fusion or Rockford Fosgate head unit with Bluetooth, VHF radio, joystick, and throttles with active trim and cruise control. Supporting systems include the Lenco auto glide, RGB lighting controls, a spotlight remote, generator start/stop, fire suppression, and a Westerbeke generator that runs the air conditioning and cockpit heat. Power management runs through three battery switches (house and two engine) with merge positions, jumper ports, and override switches for navigation lights and bilge pumps, plus two 30-amp shore power inlets and cords.

The deck and cockpit are built around entertaining. A hydraulic swim platform lowers below the waterline for easy boarding and is backed by a ladder, with convertible aft loungers that flip to face forward or lay flat as a sun pad. The cockpit holds an L-shaped lounge with a removable table, in-floor storage sized for fenders and lines, a valuables locker, and a wet bar with refrigerator, sink, electric cooktop or grill, and a fold-up television. A hot-and-cold transom shower, full SeaDek flooring, and a hardtop with sunroof, LED lighting, and built-in speakers round out the topside. Up front, butterfly doors and a sliding center window let the bow stay closed off underway or open into a deep sun pad, with a windlass remote that includes a chain counter and 125 feet of chain.

Below, the A36 has a cabin with seating, a V-berth that slides out to add foot room for two, storage under the cushions and overhead, a Blu-ray television, an electrical panel with battery diagnostics, HVAC, and stereo and shore-power controls. The head sits to port, set up as a changing room with a cushion over the pump-out toilet, a sink, and built-in shelves. The space is designed for occasional overnighting rather than extended cruising.

When shopping for a Cobalt A36 for sale, weigh the engine choice against your speed and range needs, and confirm which options a given listing carries, since the A36 is heavily optioned: Garmin radar (48-mile open array or 24-mile dome), TV antenna, fender cleat reciprocals, the cooktop or grill, and the full enclosure are all add-ons. Used 2022 examples appear on the market, often with documented service histories and verified engine hours, so checking maintenance records and hours is worthwhile before buying.