Reflex Cobalt FX Reflex’s definition for their FX boats is family excitement and fisherman’s exultation and definitely not fully exotic or frantically expensive. Barry Thompson spent a very enjoyable day playing with a Cobalt FX around Mana Island and came away impressed with the boats handling, he Reflex Cobalt FX isa fun boat without the glitz chat will appeal to the family boatie or fisherman that is looking fora practical, wel-packaged boat. Christchurch-based Re- flex Products Ltd incor- porates all the neces- sary attributes of good design, good looks and g00d construetion in a very useable Kiwi boat and through their agent, Boat City Paraparaumu, have bundled the lot into an affordable package. ‘The Reflex Cobalt FX takes an active ap- proach to the boating Fequizements of many and does well. For a start chere’s the price, Boat City are offering a fully cigged boat, com. plete with canopy, multiroller teiiler and 7Shp Force outboard ride and great value. for $24,980. That makes it one of the least expensive fibreglass boat packages of its size on the market. Base boat price is $14,790. ‘That's good news for boaties who want something that will do | what's asked in average sea condi tions and are not yet ready to in- vest a whole heap more in a boat Reflex boats have a reputation for ! quality finish and con. struction, Even with this price tag no cor- ners are cut when i ‘comes to materials and construction, Backing their prod- uct, Reflex include a five year structural transferable warranty, one of the best in the industry. ‘The Cobalt FX is one of five models in the Reflex range, with four Fisherman 4.75. Camino 5.05, Cobalt 5.35 and the Cantiva 3.65 all available in FX. versions, ‘The Cobalt is based ‘ona well proven 5.5m. hull, with a conven ‘Smooth tines, ‘well priced and ps ‘The big cockpit Is great for "shin. paorewen 23na ae «-Gonal bottom shape and 20 deg / deadrise at the tansom,(20" or 25° transom height), running plank, very full bow, wide flat coamings and double spray rails ‘The combination worksandin the sea conditions 1 experienced off the Kapiti Coast, i rode well. In fact it rode damn well The Cobalt FX is offered with many power options and although we picked the lowest. 75hp, this proved | enough power, | __ Boat City had bolted on a Force 75, an underrated very basic en gine that although lacking the elec: | tronics, oil or fuel injection of | other outboards, has @ reputation | forreliability and being affordable. [ts an ideal combination for family boating, fishing and towing water | toys, Top speed on the MagelJan | GPS, at 5200rpm was 32 knots G7mph), with best cruise | speed in the conditions 24 knots (27.6mphy@ 4000 rpm, With three up and some tweaking, I'm certain speeds around 35 knots @Omph) are achievable, The Force ~5 was fitced | with a 15° Mercury Venge- ance stainless propeller We had perfect testing conditions with a flat calm section along the foreshore, 2.50 Im beam sea out to Mana island a folowing sea behind the island and then a quar- tering sea from the stern most of the way home Overall the hull never faltered and despite getting the prop out ‘ofthe water on more than one oc casion it felt great. In the beam sea Thad the bow up and the tacho sitting on 4500 spm and although | Thad to be ready to twitch the | wheel across some of the deeper | swells.it was fun.easy to drive and | Never fel Fike it would broach or do anything wron; Bigtoward | Re-entry is soft and the Purr hatches eres | (polyurethane foam filled hull) feaue onal eis Keep the hull quick When Reflex boats. the oat is still in the mould the ‘ote underfone areas pumped Wt ui Laren ane ha anne eens tiger | with water there every ke ines. hood it wil lost a slsoeuteter and certain fois ft ster In Therer cab eear stats | the quartering sea on the trip back Samael home he ou remained dy par orwhoryorte from the add spr picked up by fishing. - the wind. 24 promeuen content of the Cohalt FX over the standard model. Apart from the a rest and a cabin window arrangement (three instead of one wrap around),floor level and a few trim details. Econo- mies of production are achieved by building the FX in batches of five or more at a time. ‘The step down into the exbin has been deleted, with the only drawback being you sit with your knees a little more upright, Apart from that there is plenty of head room. Because of this there is no space for underfloor storage oF a fuel tank under the cockpit sole, ‘One of the trademarks ofall Re- flex boats is the enormous moulded grp forward hatch, held place with a simple shock cord. Anchoring is carried out standing in the opening, with the internal self draining anchor well easily accessible, Sitting headroom is good and the cabin windows are all nicely placed at eye level Having no rear bulkhead means the boat hasan open feel and there is no division berween those working in the cockpit and others who _Want to relax on one of the two internal 1.8m squabs. Cabin storage is provided with two very wide side trays that double as with comfortable backrests and also space under both A stripped out boat like the Cobalt FX lends tse to fishing and diving, so its stabil uncluttered, practical.cockpitarea are important for divers and fishing berths Avice feature is the patterned vinyl squab covering which gives ‘look of fabric, but with the dura bility and wearability of vinyl. As ‘thisis a boat that is simply cleaned by attacking it with 2 hose from stem to stern, the last thing you want is waterlogged squabs. Even the optional slip-on vinyl seat cushions in the cockpit are de- signed to be removed, or if you do ct them wet you can simply slip ‘out the foam cushion to dry: Stand ard cockpit layout is twin lift-lok swivelling rotational moulded bucket seats and removable att jump seats. found the dri q alittle too far forward when stand ing to drive, but this can easily be WHAT'S INSIDE? individually adjusted to suit each The Reflex Cobalt FX internal lay: owner's wants. outismuch the sime asthe stanc-+ "The Cobalt’s sereen does @ ard Cobalt. its just that there are good job when seated to drive fewer tack ons and itis $2200 less offering plenty of protection and expensive Inghamassuresme that when standing you look straight there is no reduction in material over the top. The facia in our tesboar was equipped with just the minimum...tacho and speedo, although a trim luge might be a nice adel 1 novice igh fiddle eal stops nick-nacks sting off the area that is also suitable ling electronics, grab handle would be for anyone sitting down the back, who may find it uncomfortable wi no handt-hotds anywhere. If you are sitting in the rear seats, clip-on or permanent backrests would be a worth while addition, The Cobalt’s wide side decks offer plenty of space for rod holders and as well as being a first choice for lisherman.A standard feature isa double rod rack on the starboard side and provision for another to port. Underneath the aft deck there is room for two tote tanks, cach in their own moulded stands, separated by a centrally mounted bat- tery and bilge pump. If you feel the need to carry more fuel then an optional back to back seat base is designed to cuter for extra tote tanks. Conclusion Juse when you thought you had to buy a second had boat bee you dint have enough change foc a new onc: song comes the Retlex Cobalt Pe ackage ‘The Cobat, designed over four yeas ago by fan Ingham been very successful and ak though the EX version hs only been around since Octobe 1996.1 already proving more opie than the standard ver Son = hardly surprisingly ven the value the Fx oer tes 4 boat that wil appeal to those who appreciate qualty and handling hetore lt and ghmour Sigested factory options such is boarding platform (S260, bowsprt (8190) a pole (S340) and bow exe ($590) ab low you to tatloc your Cobalt PX wo your needs For value H's 4 dsinitly package thats har tobe ¥ rmancewvering | os in you as | good visibity | forward through the wide canopy opening. REFLEX COBALT FX HULL ENGINE No: otc Cabot Mate: Fore ice: stared i. 7 ie As Tests $2490 ede! cP Dasignr: Wan ghem Cyinder yp: tee Matera: so NocRAt 5500 Type cabinrunabout Propelee: 15° Vengeance Wk: 5350 Fela Pre: 8118 Beare 235m Hu Confguatin: media do 68 Taner Doadise at arson: 2009» lark Nake: une Travertie Weg gs Brake: 0 Engine Capacty Tio hp Suspersion pings ower Opons ‘utter onl Fotos atrotr Fas Capaay ite tanis Feats: submesbl gts, wine, Cock LOA Jeeey wre Capiitoa: NawuracTURER PERFORMANCE Ptr Prous id PO.80 1004, Cistiuch, 2500 rpm @ 21 als (2.0 mph) 08-384 a4, Fax 032849258 Gin @ iro tes so suerueoay 400 pm @ 28 rok (922 mph) sie 500s @ 20 nos 5.0 gn) Boal Cy Prapreumu, Men Bd Wor 5200 r@ 32 acl (87 Omph). Pepataun Pho, ax 298 6728 ‘STANDARO EQUIPMENT °° Deck harcare, rial rod as OPTION ONTESTGOKT (Canopy (oat Cy Pack) ropes 25