Peter Hrones – COBLI Co-founder
BEHIND THE BRAND
Peter Hrones has been at the forefront of shared boat ownership in Australia for over two decades. Learn about the history that led to the launch of COBLI in 2020.
Two decades of history
In 2001, Hrones launched one of the country’s first boat syndication programs, pioneering the concept when the idea was still in its infancy. Over time, he refined the model, learning firsthand what worked and what didn’t. One key takeaway was that traditional syndicates, often with up to 10 owners per boat, came with challenges—too many people sharing one vessel often led to scheduling conflicts and a lack of exclusivity.
“The problem with large syndicates is that they become complicated, with too many owners competing for usage. I knew there had to be a better way,” Peter explains.
A VISION COME TO LIFE
With this vision, Peter and John Cowpe co-founded COBLI in 2020, rethinking the approach to shared ownership. COBLI limits the number of owners per boat, offering a premium experience with more flexibility, availability, and a seamless walk-on, walk-off service.
“COBLI is designed for those who want the joys of boat ownership without the headaches. By keeping the number of owners smaller, we ensure a first-class experience where people can truly enjoy their time on the water,” Peter says.
Known for his ability to anticipate market trends and introduce innovative solutions, Peter saw that Australian boaters were looking for a simpler, more luxurious way to own a boat—without the commitment of full ownership. COBLI delivers exactly that, pairing high-end yachts with a fully managed service team that takes care of everything behind the scenes.
“Australians love boating, but they don’t want the stress of maintenance and logistics. That’s where COBLI steps in—it’s about pure enjoyment on the water,” Peter adds.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
Beyond business, Peter has always had a deep personal connection to boating. In 2008, he embarked on a transformative sailing adventure with his family, reinforcing his belief in the magic of life on the water. Today, he continues to enjoy twilight sailing on his Saffier 33, weekly tennis matches with past and present colleagues, and his growing passion for golf.
LATEST FROM THE BOAT SHARE BLOG
Lagoon 42 Owner Review
Vic says, “I just love that you can walk-on walk-off and not have to worry about all of the maintenance and all the little details are looked after so it’s really a pleasure to have this as an opportunity for our family.”
Lagoon 42 Tweed to Sydney
The Lagoon 42, “Spaceboy” is part of Cobli our syndication company – her 3-year program sees the vessel in the Whitsundays for 3 months over the winter.
Team members sailed from Tweed to Sydney to deliver the boat to its owners for summer.
Lagoon 42 Gold Coast to Whitsundays
As you probably know part of COBLI’s Lagoon 42 offering has the vessel in the Whitsundays between July and September. Here is the story from the delivery.
