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September 21, 2007

Oh Cabo!

It pampers the crew, but the Cabo 52 is all fish.

STAYING ALIVE: To keep baits lively, the 75-gallon live well is the proper, roughly oval shape, stands at a convenient height and has a transparent front. The circulation pump is protected by a sea strainer.
HARNESS THE POWER: Cabo wiring is clearly labeled and so precisely routed it is truly a functional work of art.
VANTAGE ADVANTAGE: Three steps above the cockpit, the command deck has a 360-degree panoramic view of the action and traffic.
COLD STORAGE: Large, refrigerated fishboxes in the cockpit sole are plumbed with macerated drains.
SILKY SMOOTH: Equipped with trolling valves, the ZF 2050A transmissions are so smooth you'll have to watch the prop wash to be certain you're in gear.
TINY BUBBLES: The large, slowly rotating props make a clearer prop wash in the bait spread.

BACKSLIDER: Single-lever electronic controls positioned on either side of the control pod allow the helmsman to face the action in the cockpit comfortably.

I've always felt that a 38- to 42-foot boat is optimal for offshore fishing. These boats provide a great balance of comfort, sea-keeping and maneuverability. The Cabo 52 Express has made me enthusiastically add ten feet to the upper limit of that range. This is a fishing platform with everything in the right place and grown man-sized, including details such as the head and shower. Fast and nimble, the Cabo will keep a crew of anglers happy and on the fish.


Length 52' 1" Beam 17' 9"
Draft 4' 2" Deadrise 16°
Fuel 1,400 gals. Price $1,805,000
w/ twin MAN V12-1550CRM diesels

The Cabo 52 can run with the center consoles and back down on fish with better agility. My measured top speed was 41.7 knots and burned 82 gallons per hour per engine. A 30-knot cruise burned 45 gallons per hour per engine with full fuel, water and a crew of four.

How It Fished

Test Conditions
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Sunny 82°
Winds: 8-10 knots Northeast
Seas: 1-2 feet
Target: Dolphin

The trolling wake is so clean that lures run in clear water to within three feet of the transom. The gunwales are high enough to keep you aboard, but it's not a long reach to wire a fish. The 52 maneuvers like a 40-footer. The cockpit is spacious, and the wide transom can handle double and triple hookups when the dolphin come calling. Cabo Yachts; (760) 246-8917;