Cobalt vs Sea Ray

[liquid]

Well said Bob. By nature I'm a researcher. I research and then I research some more. When I'm all done and have made my decision I do a little more research... just ask my wife about our last refrigerator purchase.

At any rate I had been looking for a boat for the past decade. I owned (still own) a very cool Century ('86 5 meter Riviera) that is very sleek with a low profile that was great for the lake we have a place on and perfectly suitable for the wife and I. Add two little boys and a growing number of nieces and nephews and we needed space and an open bow.

I have always scoured boattrader and local marinas/dealers for exactly the right boat/price. I narrowed it down to Sea Rays, Chaps, Formulas, Bryants and Cobalts - believing the Cobalt was always going to be just too pricey for the name.

After ridiculous research an early 2000's Cobalt was so superior to even the newer model Sea Rays. I narrowed my search to either stealing a newer Glastron/Ray/Chap from someone who had to sell or finding a clean Cobalt. I can honestly say the 2002 190 I found pristine I'd put up against any newer (2010 +) model of the above.

Every day I look at boats still. 0 regrets about my purchase and there is zero doubt in my mind the next boat will be another Cobalt... May add a Master Craft or Malibu depending on how inclined to watersports the boys get.

[Big Block Power]

The jury made a ruling!
http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/2017/06/j ... lt-patent/

[Tuscany]

2.69 million is pocket change for Brunswick. I would have expected a larger number.
What would have been a kick in the nuts with a pointy boot would have been a cease and desist, which did not happen.
Well worth the price if I were Sea-Ray. They will appeal it for a few more years and eventually pay up, but meanwhile they will sell a lot more boats with the step.

[Big Block Power]

Yea I thought the same thing. Chump change. But now Cobalt will go after all the ones that were sold. It didn't say they have to stop but I bet it does somewhere. John where are you on this?

[liquid]

That's absurd. John - chime in!

[Big Block Power]

You know he can't be using his boat we've yet to see a picture of it this year

[liquid]

Seriously, how can we even know if he still has a boat?

[Big Block Power]

Seriously not even sure he has a computer anymore.

[Tuscany]

IMO, The clear winner here was Sea Ray.
Anything other than a cease and desist, along with a cash damage settlement of 20 million+ individual boat fines was a total loss for Cobalt.
Expect other boat manufacturers to follow with the step since this doesn't seem to be patent protection with teeth.

[Ytmsn]

That's kinda what I was thinking. I bet Cobalts legal fees was higher than the judgement.

[liquid]

Seriously not even sure he has a computer anymore.

[jhnmdahl]

Sorry guys - work's been hectic. Problem with computing damages is, their invention is really the latch mechanism and not the step itself, the royalty base will be somewhat limited. But, a finding of willfulness means they can be tripled post-trial, and it's really a shot across the bow telling people they will sue to protect their patents and the distinctiveness of Cobalt boats, even if the award isn't all that huge.

[liquid]

He's alive! We were worried about you pal.

[jhnmdahl]

If there aren't Russian spammers flooding the forum, I'm at least checking in every couple days

[Big Block Power]

Were holding the fort down for you. Thanks for what you do on the other side as well. Get your boat out though.