Reviews
& Articles 35 Express
Cabo 35 Express
Marlin
By Dean Travis Clarke
Back in April, 1992, one of our writers said
after testing the Cabo 35, "[It's] the best-built sportfisher that
I've been aboard in decades, custom or production, bar none." That's
one powerful statement-no room for misinterpretation.
Now Cabo has an express configuration, and it's every bit as impressive
in styling, execution and performance as the original flybridge version.
Many years ago, the owners of Cat Harbor Boats owned another company:
Pacific Seacraft, which made (dare I say it?) sailboats. But before you
turn the page, these sailboats were acknowledged to be the finest round-the-world
cruisers available.
They don't make sailboats anymore, but the Cabo ownership's attention
to detail and the refusal to compromise on quality in any facet of production
has carried over to make the Cabo 35 Express the superior offshore fishing
boat it is.
The 81-square-foot cockpit offers a bait-prep center, tackle storage,
your choice of baitwell sizes, all pumps and lighting equipped, and fishboxes-each
about six cubic feet. The stainless rails and fittings are unlike any
you'll find except on megayachts, and virtually every hinge is through-bolted
rather that just screwed in. Of course there are padded coamings, rod
storage, fresh and saltwater washdowns, bait freezer, and the list goes
on.
Also like Cabo's flybridge model, every wire bundle, every fitting and
through-hull is marked and identified in the engine room. There is plenty
of working pace both inboard and outboard of the engines and every fill
point is easily accessible.
 Engine packages range from the standard Crusader 454 gas to four flavors
of Caterpillars: 3208 T and TAs in 320 hp, 350 hp, 375 hp and 435 hp.
Reliable independent sources (not the factory) put the top end with the
twin 435s at almost 40 mph. With a fuel capacity of 430 gallons, and
counting a cruise speed of about 27 mph, the Cabo provides a range (with
10-percent fudge factor) of over 325 nautical miles.
On the diesel packages, there are fuel pressure gauges mounted on each
fuel filter to alert you to replacement times. The fuel and water tanks
are easily opened and cleaned out-a wonderful ability after the dockboy
puts the diesel nozzle in your water tank or vice versa.
The Cabo is built using only the highest quality vinylester resins for
greater protection against osmotic blistering. The fiberglass is bi-directional
stitched fabric-solid glass in the bottom, Airex foam core in the topsides,
and end-grain balsa core in the decks to eliminate weight above the center
of gravity without sacrificing structural integrity.
At speed, the Cabo is dry as a bone. The reverse chine combined with
prop pockets and a deadrise on the high side of a modified vee make the
Cabo sallow-water capable, extremely steady slow-trolling or drifting
in a beam sea, and provides clean water alleys in the wake a trolling
speed. And though the Cabo spins on a dime and backs like a demon, it
can also be fished like a center console outboard. The access to the
bow is wide enough so getting there's a breeze.
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