Despite a series of home runs with new boats, when it came time to start on the Cabo 43, we went straight back to the test tank. Why? Because improvement is by necessity preceded by change, and at Cabo, improvement is a never ending goal.
Hull Design
Three different hulls were built and run in the test tank at the highly regarded Stevens Test Tank Institute. Three longitudinal centers of gravity and three different displacements were used, resulting in nine different configurations. Strakes were added, analyzed, then removed and further analysis was completed. A total of 184 test runs were made in 5-knot increments up to 40 knots, while spray patterns and running angles were recorded by video and still cameras.
The result? One of the driest and smoothest running hulls found anywhere, in particular on a boat this size. In fact, the 43 runs drier and smoother than many much larger boats, without sacrificing nimble handling, whether at speed or maneuvering into a tight slip. The nimble deep-V hull, has an 18 degree deadrise aft, rides dry and has impressive sea keeping abilities. The 43 rides dry and smooth in a headsea, is stable abeam, and exceptionally agile at high speed. She'll back down quickly, with unmatched control and agility, an invaluable asset when bringing in a large fish. What more can you ask for from a hull?
A very large 43 footer. With optimal hull design and displacement now determined, the design for the balance of the boat commenced. The goal? The biggest feeling, most fully equipped 43 footer on the market. Indeed, she is a very large 43 footer, with accommodations and equipment that you would expect to see only in much larger vessels.
The master stateroom has a roomy forward facing double bed and private head with full shower. An optional home entertainment system makes for great late night movie viewing. The guest cabin has three bunks, with the lower bunk on the starboard side big enough for two, and two additional berths located high on the port and starboard side.
Hanging lockers, vented storage lockers and drawers are numerous and attractively finished inside and out. You'll find top-quality hardware throughout, while joinery and finish work exhibits the ultimate in woodworking craftsmanship.
Innovative use of space is found everywhere, including the location of the optional combo washer/dryer below the companionway steps, which lift up for access. The galley has a Sub-Zero two drawer pull-out refrigerator and a large freezer . Below the galley is a large hold which easily stores provisions, spare parts, or even a collapsed dinghy and outboard motor. The main salon is large and comfortable, with the luxury finish and appointments you would expect from a Cabo Yacht.
There is good under-sofa rod storage, replete with easy pop-up access, saving the trouble of removing any cushions. A Bose Home Theatre system with flat screen TV makes watching a movie aboard as enjoyable as at the silver screen, and standard central vac system means cleaning up the popcorn afterwards is a snap! With a multitude of decorator options, including a wide array of bedding and seating area fabrics, wall coverings, window treatments and flooring, customizing the Cabo 43 to match individual tastes and lifestyles is an integral part of the Cabo ownership experience.
Engine Room
Mechanically, the 43 is everything you expect from a Cabo. The engine room is an easy three steps down from the cockpit, and there's ample room to move around the diesel engines.
Dual fuel filters with a throw valve come as standard equipment. The starboard engine water intake is equipped with a diverter valve, converting it to an emergency bilge pump in the event of severe engine room flooding. Electric fuel primer pumps are standard, and the oil-exchange system services both engines and transmissions, as well as the generator.
Other standard items include a fire suppression system and highwater alarm. Everything is finished in smooth, white linear polyurethane paint, giving it a level of finish that simply isn't found anywhere else but on a Cabo.
Fishability
Like everything on this boat, the cockpit is very large for a 43 footer. At a full 136 square feet, there's plenty of room for a large fishing party of half a dozen or more. Optional helm controls located in the cockpit, however, mean this boat can be fished by a couple. The 50 gallon livewell is located in the transom, and has a unique remote activated drainplug. The backside of the livewell cover doubles as a cutting board. Two 52 gallon insulated fish boxes with inline macerators are located in the sole. Rod holders and fresh and saltwater washdowns are standard. A 50 foot shore power cord uses a Glendinning Cablemaster to automatically store the cord neatly under the deck.
The flying bridge features a comfortable, tournament-style layout with a centerline helm aft overlooking the cockpit. Ladderback helm and companion pedestal chairs built by BlueWater Marine are standard, and there's plenty of room to walk behind the chairs.
Next to the VDO engine gauges is an immense console that can handle a full array of flush mounted, large screen electronics within easy reach of the wheel. Console mounted throttles/shifters are positioned next to the stainless steel wheel. Forward of the helm is a forward facing bench seat with great stowage and a built-in cooler underneath. An additional settee runs fore and aft on the portside.A complete offshore sportfisherman.
While other builders have sought to increase their sales with larger and larger boats, many have found it refreshing to see the innovation and creativity Cabo Yachts has brought to bear in developing a complete offshore sportfisherman capable of extended offshore trips yet still manageable for a couple to operate.
The Cabo 43 does it all.
Draft: 4 ft. 4 in.
Beam: 15 ft. 1 in.
Displacement: 33500
Fuel tank capacity: 700
Water tank capacity: 100
Standard features:
Hull
Boot striping choice of colors
Bottom paint, complete preparation 2 coats epoxy, 2 coats anti-fouling paint; black, standard
Core-cell core from chine to sheer, vacuum-bagged
Hull, inside finished white
Molded fiberglass construction using premium vinylester resins and biaxial stitched fabric reinforcement; ISO/NPG gelcoat finish
Solid fiberglass bottom construction
Stainless steel rub strip on face of white high-density PVC rub rail
Trim tabs, fully recessed
Deck
Anchor roller assembly, custom, recessed, stainless steel
Bow cleats, 12" stainless steel
Bow pulpit, integral molded fiberglass
Deck rails, custom, aluminum, East Coast-style
Deck surface, molded-in, non-skid
Molded fiberglass using polyester resin, biaxial stitched fabric reinforcement and vacuum-bagged Core-cell and
Baltec construction
Molded-in white gelcoat finish
Spring line cleats (4), custom 10"
Stern cleats, 12" stainless steel
Stern hawse pipes, stainless steel
Windlass, heavy-duty, DC electric, remote at bridge and deck switches
Cockpit
Access door to engine room with ladder from cockpit
Aluminum reinforcing plate installed for mounting fighting chair
Bait prep center, port, sink, rigging board and tackle storage, fitted with custom lid, gas spring, full-length stainless steel piano hinge and custom latch
Bait tank, 48-gallons, molded into transom
Courtesy lighting under gunwales and flybridge overhang
Fish boxes (2), large capacity, insulated, macerator pump-out system
Gunwale padding, high-density foam, white vinyl covered
Hatches, lazarette and fish boxes, heavy-duty, gasketed seals, drains, gutters and full-length stainless steel
piano hinge and custom latch
Hose and pistol-grip nozzle
Icebox, fitted with custom gasketed lid, gas spring actuator, full-length stainless steel piano hinge and custom latch
Rod-gaff racks, port and starboard
Rod holders (5)
Scuppers, self-bailing
Storage, boxes under gunwale
Transom door with top gate, extreme-duty, polished stainless steel hardware
Washdowns, fresh-and saltwater
Flybridge
Bench seat, forward of console, cushions, storage and insulated drink box
Bridge ladder, safety rails to match deck rails, custom-welded with 5 rocket launchers
Compass, with light, flush-mounted
Configuration, tournament-style
Electronics console, custom-molded
Engine instrument panel, custom, electronic display, polished stainless steel
Fire and bilge water level alarms, audible
Helm and companion chairs, Blue Water, pedestal-mounted, adjustable
Helm wheel, stainless steel
Palm Beach pod, mounted, single lever electronic controls
Rocket launchers, bridge rail, (5)
Stereo speakers with volume control
Storage, lockers, forward
Storage, cabinet at helm
Switch panels, custom, stainless steel
Mechanical
Bilge, aft, white linear polyurethane finish
Bilge pumps (5), four automatic/manual, one automatic
Bonding system with transom zinc plate
Double constant torque stainless steel clamps on engine exhaust hoses
Double hose clamps on all hose fittings, stainless steel
Dual engine room circulation fans, AC
Electric fuel priming pumps
Electronic controls, with trolling valves, engine synchronizer and backup
Emergency bilge pump diverter on one engine
Engine alarm system
Engine room, white gelcoat finished
Engine room blowers (2), DC
Fire extinguishing system, automatic
Freshwater cooling, main engines
Freshwater hose bib
Freshwater pump, AC, with backup DC pump
Fuel filters, with water separators, main engines and generator, large capacity
Fuel lines, metal braided, fire-retardant
Fuel tank, fiberglass, fire-retardant
High water bilge alarms (3)
Holding tank, 28 gal., warning lights, macerator and dockside discharge
Mufflers, fiberglass, backwash surge tube
Oil change system, main engines, generator and transmissions
Propeller shafts, double taper, couplers, high-strength stainless steel
Propellers, 4-blade nibral
Rudders, bronze, high-strength, high-load bearings (low friction, precise control)
Sea cocks, UL approved for marine application, bronze, fitted on all thru-hulls below waterline
Power steering
Stuffing boxes, drip-less lip seal type
Water heater, 11-gallon, AC, stainless steel
Water intake scoops, bronze, high-speed, with integral seawater strainers
Electrical
10-kW freshwater-cooled diesel generator with seawater strainer, remote start and digital panel, water lift muffler, safety shutdown system, sound enclosure
50' shore cord, Glendinning Cable Master, 220V, 50-amp
Battery charger, 50-amp, automatic, with thermal cut out
Battery on/off switches, vapor-proof
Bonded electrical system
Cable TV hookup
Distribution panel, custom, AC electrical, with line voltage and load meter, reverse polarity light
Distribution panel, custom, DC electrical, with battery voltage and load meter
Electronic supply at helm, 24-V DC and 12-V DC at 50 amps
Horn, dual air trumpet
Lights, engine room, AC and DC
Lights, interior, AC and DC
Lights, navigation, international, uninstalled for future mounting on arch, hardtop or tower
Receptacles, GFI protected throughout boat
Telephone shore connection with (1) outlet, salon
Washer/dryer combination unit
Main Cabin
AC duplex outlet/GFI protected
Access hatch to below deck equipment
Air conditioning/heating, 16,000 BTU, dual zone
Bose Lifestyle 38 surround sound stereo system, AM/FM/CD/DVD
TV, flat screen
Carpet, removable, deep-pile
Forward stateroom, vacuum
Dining table, teak with birdseye maple inlay
Fabrics and coverings, fine selection throughout
Interior wood, teak, satin finish
Latches, positive, cabinet doors and drawers
Lighting, recessed halogen
Lighting, indirect, AC/DC
Mini-blinds, custom, throughout
Salon windows, fixed, tinted
Settee, port
Galley
AC duplex outlet/GFI protected
Cook top, ceramic, two-burner, recessed with Corian cover
Corian countertop with custom Corian sea rails
Refrigerator/Freezer, Sub-Zero, 2 drawers, AC
Garbage disposal
Latches, positive, cabinet doors and drawers
Microwave/convection oven
Storage, compartments and drawers throughout
Storage, under-galley compartment, large
Undercabinet lighting, recessed halogen
Ventilation fan
Water guage
Master Stateroom
AC duplex outlet with clock/GFI protected
Adjoining private head with shower stall
Air conditioning/heating controls
Berth, double, island style, 5" mattress, bunkcover, shams
Carpet
Latches, positive, cabinet doors and drawers
Lighting, recessed halogen
Lighting, reading, DC
Storage, locker, hanging, cedar-lined, starboard
Storage, under berth, accessed through gas-assisted lift
Flat screen TV
Master Head Compartment
AC duplex outlet/GFI protected
Corian countertop
Exhaust blower
Head, Sealand Vacuflush, electric
Latches, positive, cabinet doors and drawers
Lighting, recessed halogen
Lighting, vanity
Shower stall, separate, automatic sump pump
Vanity, Corian-framed with sliding mirror doors
Towel rack
Toiletry storage cabinet
Forward Stateroom
AC duplex outlet/GFI protected
Access to anchor rope/chain locker
Adjoining head with shower stall
Berths, 3 single, 5" mattresses, bunkcovers
Foredeck hatch with retractable shade
Latches, positive, cabinet doors and drawers
Lighting, recessed halogen, AC and DC
Lighting, reading, DC
Storage, locker, hanging, cedar-lined, port and starboard
Storage, drawer units under bunk
Storage, rod lockers, up to 8 rods
Head Compartment/ Guest
AC duplex outlet/GFI protected
Corian countertop
Head, Sealand Vacuflush, electric
Latches, positive, cabinet doors and drawers
Lighting, recessed, AC
Lighting, vanity
Shower, faucet, pullout
Vanity storage cabinet, Corian-framed with sliding mirror doors
Sink, with storage cabinet
Safety Equipment
Anchor, 25' chain, 250' rode, life jackets, throwable P.F.D., fire extinguisher, docklines, fenders, distress signaling device, flashlight, emergency horn, first aid kit, bell
