Cobaltchat.com

Blame it on BU!
Most Cobalts not being made in Kansas anymore!
Sad Day. Maybe I'm late to this party but just found out.

Didn't Cobalt try this? Believe they were making Marker One boats in TN for a bit but decided that the quality of the boats produced in Kansas was far superior? Think they told us that during the factory tour?

End of an Era.

FormulaChat.com?

NautiGirl wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 8:31 pm Didn't Cobalt try this? Believe they were making Marker One boats in TN for a bit but decided that the quality of the boats produced in Kansas was far superior? Think they told us that during the factory tour?

End of an Era.

FormulaChat.com?

Agree. Time to update your signature!

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yes...so very sad. End of an era but the writing was on the wall.

Big Block Power wrote: Fri May 10, 2024 7:15 am

NautiGirl wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 8:31 pm Didn't Cobalt try this? Believe they were making Marker One boats in TN for a bit but decided that the quality of the boats produced in Kansas was far superior? Think they told us that during the factory tour?

End of an Era.

FormulaChat.com?

Agree. Time to update your signature!

Nothing is official other than we currently do not own a boat. It's a wonderful feeling really. Don't tell Katie I said that.

Big Block Power wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 8:19 pm Blame it on BU!
Most Cobalts not being made in Kansas anymore!
Sad Day. Maybe I'm late to this party but just found out.

say WUT!!

NautiGirl wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 8:31 pm

FormulaChat.com?

There is a Formula Boats forum and I've visited it on occasion as I do love their boats as much as Cobalt. Very little activity in that forum though.

CobaltDeadHead wrote: Mon May 13, 2024 4:56 pm

NautiGirl wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 8:31 pm

FormulaChat.com?

There is a Formula Boats forum and I've visited it on occasion as I do love their boats as much as Cobalt. Very little activity in that forum though.

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True...plus more of a closer family feel here....and FChat does not have as many pics!

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So where did the manufacturing move to?

Norris_Boating wrote: Tue May 14, 2024 7:06 am So where did the manufacturing move to?

A lot of surf and ski boats seem to be made in Tennessee, and I'm guessing they're consolidating there.

There are a lot of boat builders / boat building talent in TN - location on the TN river and distribution to the eastern US along with the business friendly nature of TN are factors.

Malibu
SeaRay
MasterCraft
to name a few of the big ones.

billk2632 wrote: Tue May 14, 2024 9:11 am There are a lot of boat builders / boat building talent in TN - location on the TN river and distribution to the eastern US along with the business friendly nature of TN are factors.

Malibu
SeaRay
MasterCraft
to name a few of the big ones.

I think those things are the biggest factors for sure. Not that here in KS, we aren't friendly to businesses, but we don't have near the things to offer as TN or many other states do. There is virtually no visiting tax revenue, so money for thinks like roads/state and county services, and even tax incentives, are all paid for (for the most part) by residents of KS. That coupled with the fact that Fredonia is a small town, even for KS standards, and I honestly surprised Cobalt has been able to stick around as long as they have. The only real thing going for it is fairly low cost of living / doing business, and location to several small to medium sized lakes.

Move surf boat production to Tennessee

Keep standard bowrider production back where it all began and offer a different series for non-surf

Win/win for all

TN state income tax: 0.
KS state income tax: up to 5.7%.

billk2632 wrote: Tue May 14, 2024 9:11 am There are a lot of boat builders / boat building talent in TN - location on the TN river and distribution to the eastern US along with the business friendly nature of TN are factors.

Malibu
SeaRay
MasterCraft
to name a few of the big ones.

I think Bryant is made in Tennessee also.