Yacht Review: Cabo 48

Source: boatpoint.com.au

Author: Rick Gaffney

Your average production boatbuilder might have sent Preston King and his list of requirements packing – but if history has proven anything, it’s that Cabo Yachts is not your average boatbuilder. Story & Photos: Rick Gaffney

It started out innocently enough as a sea trial of Preston King’s new Cabo 48, Reel Time. It ended up as three stories after Preston’s son Dave landed a 329.5lb broadbill swordfish, winning the Master Angler’s Billfish Tournament. Not a bad way to test a new boat, huh?

Preston King may not be the preferred customer of your average production boatbuilder. Preston had owned a 38 Bertram and a 44 Pacifica – and he knew exactly what he wanted in his new sportsfishing machine when he started talking with his Broker John Buettner at Stan Miller Yachts.

What he wanted was a significantly customised production boat – something that many production boatbuilders would have told him and his broker to seek elsewhere. They might also suggest that he gut and re-configure a production model in a custom yard after they delivered it.

Cabo Yachts is not your average production boatbuilder in so many ways, and making the customer happy seems to carry a whole lot of weight with the company’s management. Cabo Yachts took Preston’s many proposed modifications in stride, and incorporated them into Cabo 48, hull number three. And in doing so, Preston King and Cabo Yachts may have co-created the perfect California-style Cabo – a boat configured to meet the specialised fishing needs of California tournament and offshore anglers.

KING’S WISHLIST
One of the things Preston wanted in his new boat was speed, and Cabo had already figured that out by designing the boat to carry a pair of MAN D2840LE403 1050hp (772kW) engines. Cabo literature suggests a top speed of 40mph with the right load, and we saw every bit of that kind of speed during our four days onboard, seemingly regardless of how we were loaded.

A 50ft boat moving at 30kt-plus is impressive. We did this several times, in differing sea conditions, and it was impressive no matter which way we were going or what the sea state was. The boat was comfortable, quiet and did far less pounding than I would expect for that kind of speed and that size of boat in those sea states.

There was a problem with the MANs on Reel Time when we were onboard – a problem that MAN and Cabo have been grappling with since day one, but nonetheless a problem both parties are certain they will overcome. That problem is that at low rpm, the MANs smoke – and not just a little. Power them up, let the second half of the cylinders fire off, listen to the turbos spool up and presto – very clean exhaust emission, just like you’d expect MANs to deliver. We expect that problem will be long gone by the time you are reading this.

The engineroom that houses these glistening German workhorses is typical Cabo. It is easy to access (walk-in from the centre of the cockpit tackle station), well engineered, everything in its place, exceptional wiring and plumbing runs, clean, white, gel-coated surfaces everywhere, emergency pump-out plumbing provisions valved to engines.

Everything as it should be, but with that typical Cabo emphasis on perfection and the little things that make a big difference. For instance, as you step down into the engineroom, to your left is a rack for two sets of ear-protectors. Everyone needs ’em in an engineroom, and Cabo gives you a convenient place to store them.

The engineroom also housed Preston’s upgrade to the optional Westerbeke 12.6 KW genset with its sound-deadening housing. The standard oil change pump had been relocated at the front of the port engine. Various bait tank pumps were also found neatly plumbed to a manifold, as well as sea cocks for easy access and redundant management of circulating water to the boat’s bow and stern-mounted bait tanks.

There was also a large wetbox custom fitted at the factory to support the array of transducers for the boat’s complex electronics suite, and an array of batteries for the vessel’s custom 4kW inverter system.

SPARK OF INSPIRATION
All the electrical needs of the boat are wired up to one of Cabo’s extraordinarily well-thought-out electrical panels, which was located in a cabinet on the starboard side of the saloon, just inside the entry door from the cockpit. While we again marvelled at the flawless wiring runs and easy-to-understand labelling of Cabo’s parallel AC and DC electrical system management panels, we found a fault here.

After watching Preston King and his teammates have to kneel, squat, bend and/or lie down on the floor to read and change various switch settings and monitor various gauges – several times each day – it occurred to me that mounting an electrical switch panel at knee level in any boat, with the complex electrical systems of this one particularly, was not a good idea.

Panels mounted on either side of the passageway forward of the saloon might eat up some cabin space, require longer wiring runs and move the switches away from the saloon door and further from the bridge – but they would also allow for standing access to the panel.

Despite our reservations about location, that switch panel was beautifully integrated into Cabo’s signature teak cabinetry with its satin finish and integrated grillwork.

That cabinetry and fine woodwork with its carefully matched grain flowed throughout the saloon and forward into the staterooms and heads seamlessly.

INTERIOR DESIGN
The main saloon is configured with the U-shaped galley forward to port, with Magna Sahara-colored Corian countertops. There are four Sub-Zero drawer-type refrigerators below the dividing counter, a radiant electric stovetop, forward bulkhead-mounted microwave oven, moulded deep sink and tons of storage space in signature Cabo teak-faced cabinetry with pull-out shelves. There are also nicely-configured deep-drawers and practical places to accommodate all your galley necessities.

Aft of the galley is a large L-shaped lounge with a gorgeous birdseye maple and teak-trimmed coffee table at its centre, and to starboard of the galley in the forward corner of the saloon is a narrow dinette table and banquette. On the forward bulkhead over this area, Preston has installed a massive flatscreen video panel that makes watching the vessel’s satellite TV (or videos and DVDs), a pleasure from anywhere in the saloon.

Upholstery touches from the valances and the seating to the throw pillows are beautifully complimentary of the teak cabinetry and maintain the light, airy feeling of the space. Blinds and lighting are recessed but very functional.

A passageway down three steps to the forward living area passes a partially open bunkroom to starboard and the substantial master stateroom to port, amidships. Preston opted to install a large custom freezer under the lower bunk in the starboard stateroom to provide for more long-term storage – especially for those extended fishing trips Southern California fishermen often make. The freezer compressor was worked into the space under the stairs, close to the air-conditioning compressors and another refrigeration compressor that Preston asked Cabo to move out of the engineroom and into the dry storage space under the galley floor.

SHOWER RESHUFFLE
In another unique customisation of the living spaces, Preston opted to have the shower removed from the starboard head compartment, and replaced it with a tall bank of storage cabinets and drawers, facing aft, as part of the forward wall of the starboard stateroom. With typical Cabo aplomb, these were executed in the same grill-face, satin finish, match-grain teak, and look to be part of the original design.

Like virtually all Cabo’s drawers, they open fully. Preston reasoned that one shower was enough for five guys fishing together, and that is located in the master suite head, forward of the master cabin. There are still two separate head compartments with their individual sinks and toilets, and there is also a hot-and-cold shower fixture in the starboard corner of the cockpit (adjacent to the cockpit door).

In deference to the men who predominantly fish these boats, Preston also opted to have the toilets raised onto steps. As a tall guy who has been known to be aim-challenged by boisterous sea conditions, this modification was appreciated – as was the catty-corner placement of the loo in the starboard head compartment, which made it useable in almost any sea state.

The master cabin features a walk-around queen berth with its headboard aft, storage beneath, teak cabinetry, judicious use of fine fabric upholstery and trip, and its own entertainment system (including flatscreen TV and subtle lighting). The ensuite head is forward, and features a beautifully-moulded shower and vanity with Corian countertops, adequate storage for toiletries and supplies, and a very functional shower compartment.

The stock Cabo 48 is designed with an additional queen berth guest stateroom forward, but here again Preston altered Cabo’s plans. He had them install two large bunks (over-and-under) that incorporate a really good idea for any boat – a bunk wing wide enough to store that duffel bag that inevitably ends up buried inaccessibly in a closet, or in everybody’s way on the floor of the stateroom. Need something in the middle of the night and it is right there next to you on the bunk.

Living aboard the Cabo 48 for several days gave me a new appreciation of the extra effort Cabo undertakes to provide functional, practical cabin lighting. Bunk reading lights do not intrude into other people’s sleeping spaces. Multiple switches in every compartment offer an array of lighting options. The lighting onboard is very well engineered and user friendly.

Stateroom duvets and pillow shams all provide subtle, sophisticated, yet not garish fabric touches to complement the light teak interior. Closets are all cedar lined, and you will not find an unfinished surface anywhere, no matter how deep you dig.

VIRTUALLY PERFECT
We started our Cabo 48 virtual tour in the engineroom, and walked through the cockpit to describe the interior, without recognising that the cockpit is the primary work platform of any sportsfishing machine – and Cabo’s design team got nearly everything right in this important area.

The forward cockpit bulkhead supports the rigging area with tackle storage, drawers, prep sink, refrigerated day box and room for the optional bait freezer, neatly moulded to incorporate the engineroom access door with no break in continuity.

Two substantial fishboxes are normally moulded into the 48’s cockpit sole with macerators plumbed to their discharge drains, full-length piano hinges, gas struts and rubber sealing gaskets. Like most doors and hatches on a Cabo, these won’t rattle, slam or leak, and they are substantial enough for a lifetime of pounding and being trod upon. Preston had Cabo convert one of the fishboxes into an additional under-cockpit storage space.

Padded bolsters surround the cockpit, including the 100-gallon glassfront baitwell Preston asked Cabo to custom build into the mid-transom, replacing the smaller, standard baitwell. Preston also opted for under-gunwale tackle cabinets to be removed, and in their place he added exposed and accessible gaff and tagpole racks, under the covering boards.

A remarkably broad sidedeck leads forward to the bow and Preston opted for Cabo’s extraordinary polished stainless-steel “West Coast rail set”, which runs far enough aft and high enough to allow for safe passage by a hooked-up angler with only one free hand. The rail also sweeps around the bow pulpit with both a double band on top and a toe-band at foot height to make it a lot more angler-friendly for West Coast-style bow casting. Cabo’s welding work is as good or better than the kind of work you formerly were only able to obtain after market.

The foredeck included an optional dingy davit and a welded stainless-steel dingy rack bearing a hard-bottomed inflatable with outboard. Forward of that were the twin bow bait tanks and bait tubes, rigged with rodholders and fully plumbed to circulate and keep bait healthy and ready to cast toward any surface-feeding gamefish.

Preston had also specified a Liberty Maxwell 24V anchor windlass in deference to the California angler’s need to anchor regularly, and he equipped it with 350ft of 5/16in, high-tensile chain and both bow and bridge controls.

ACE IN THE HOLE
By saving the description of the flybridge until this point in the story, I may have saved the best for last. As you climb the stainless-steel ladder out of the forward port corner of the cockpit, up onto the flybridge, it is quickly apparent that this simple structure was very functionally engineered. From the starboard-material treads to the broad stainless-steel handrails, it is both utilitarian and safe – and it is easy to descend facing either forward or aft.

On the bridge, Cabo’s functional use of the available space is immediately apparent. Fore-and-aft bench seat runs along the portside; there is a forward-facing bench seat on the front face of the command console, and there is a huge flat space provided on the console face, surrounding the Rybovich-style steering and control pod.

Aft of the console, Preston opted for a pair of Stidd helm chairs (these are heaven for comfort), and in the console he found room to mount some 20 (that’s right, 20!) different electronics displays and panels. It looks a bit like shuttle launch control in Houston, but of course there is a reason behind each piece.

Before mounting this amazing electronics array, Preston asked Cabo to paint the console face black. Note to all manufacturers: the huge flybridge console faces of today’s sportsfishing machines are giant light-reflectors. White gelcoat is not a good choice for these vision-killing surfaces.

Reel Time’s command electronics console included everything but the kitchen sink. There is a pair of MAN Marine Diesel display monitors (mostly redundant because of Cabo’s excellent gauge cluster in the pod). There are Glendinning’s electronic control displays. There are two Furuno 10in Navnet displays (for the radar, four transducer frequencies and GPS/plotter with C-Map NT). There are a pair of Northstar plotter displays (including the incredibly bright/readable 10in display on Northstar 957), and a pair of Taiyo ADF radios, a Simrad autopilot display and an ACR searchlight control panel.

That list does not include everything on the console by the way, and the electronics package – which was superbly installed by Bill Jahn of Crew West Marine Electronics – also included three pieces mounted in the overhead. There were also various remotes throughout the vessel to keep the crew informed while below, and to keep the skipper entertained while he is at the helm (satellite TV could be monitored on several of the helm displays). Redundancies were every where, and many of the electronics integrated seamlessly.

FACE OF THE FUTURE
The console face also included a large touch-screen computer monitor for the Micad vessel management system. If it worked as advertised (keep track of anchor chain as you lower the anchor then work out an anchor watch based on depth and scope integrating transducer input, monitor all engine functions et cetera ad infinitum) it could be a real gem.

Unfortunately, it managed only a few of its lauded functions while we were onboard, and seemed to be a work in progress.

The Cabo 48’s flybridge is big, functional (good sight-lines front, back and all around) comfortable, utilitarian, and Preston made his even more functional by opting to let Steve DeGroot work his unique combination of engineering and art into the bridge surround rails and hardtop.

Cabo’s stainless steel welding is flawless, but DeGroot marries form and function when he welds the stainless support structure for his custom-configured hardtops. All wiring, antennas, outrigger mounts and electronics are integrated into the design – and when he is done, lines are both clean and obstructed, and aesthetically pleasing. Steve added the handrails to Cabo’s flybridge ladder, then flowed them smoothly up and all the way around the bridge – and then up into the moulded hardtop – with near seamless welding.

EZ2CY clear curtains finish DeGroot’s custom top installation with amazingly unobtrusive protection from the elements, and the aft bridge rail incorporates umpteen rocket-launcher-type rodholders for the usual California arsenal of casting, trolling and bait rods.

FINISHING TOUCHES
Preston finished Reel Time’s customisation by having Gary Miltemore come up with an integrated colour and striping theme. The red and blue striping at the boot-stripe and on the base of the flybridge are an improvement on simple, stock, one-colour striping, and give the boat a sleeker look.

From the dock, my first impression was what a spectacular difference a foot of length had made to the profile of the new Cabo 48. It seems so much sleeker and elongated than the Cabo 47. In that elongated space, Cabo has fitted more interior, more accommodations and more of what owners of smaller vessels seem to want to move up into.

On the whole, the new Cabo 48 is one very impressive boat – and like most Cabo’s, we found little to fault beyond the placement of the electrical panel and a couple of moulded cabinet doors on the flybridge that seemed to have a slightly different white gel-coat finish than the surrounding bridge mouldings.

With almost four full days on board, it was one of the most complete sea trials we have ever performed. Whether we were catching bait, casting to a striped marlin, battling an obtuse swordfish, sitting at anchor, or running back out to Catalina the day after the tournament to pick up a box of swordfish steaks while watching football on that four-foot wide flatpanel screen, the boat was constantly impressive.

As the hours passed, my mind would often wander to catch one or another aspect of Cabo’s superb engineering, or to the amazing performance of the package as a whole. And more than once I marvelled at the partnership between the owner and this production boatbuilder that resulted in Cabo 48, hull number three – Preston King’s perfect sportsfisher, Reel Time.

BOAT SPECIFICATIONS

Cabo 48 Price as tested US$1,245,000

Options fitted Electronics, hardtop rails, striping

Priced from US$1,014,407

GENERAL

Material: Solid fibreglass bottom and foam topsides

Type: Modified deep-vee

LOA: 15.4m (50’7″)

Beam: 4.8m (15’8″)

Draft; 1.2m (4’0″)

Deadrise: 11.5° at transom

Weight (dry): 20412kg (45000lb)

CAPACITIES

Berths: Six

Fuel: 3406lt (900 USgal)

Water: 378lt (100 USgal)

ENGINE Model: MAN D2840LE403

Type: Twin V-10 turbo-diesels

Rated hp (ea): 1050

Displacement (ea): 18.3lt

Weight (ea): 1915kg (4213lb) (dry)

Gearbox (make/ratio): ZF550 1.757:1

Propellers: 28×42.5 Federal CX-500 five-blade