Reviews
& Articles 43 Flybridge
Fish-Ability
Salt Water Sportsman Magazine
By Spider Andresen
 My first thought when I took my initial look at Cabo's new 43 was: What
a pretty boat! Somehow, the Cabo design team has managed to blend the
classic, old-style Rybovich/Merritt grace with modem-day lines, and in
the process was able to create an astonishing amount of living space.
Make no mistake, this is a very large 43-footer boasting two staterooms
and two heads - and the guest stateroom actually feels much larger than
the master. The master, though, is indeed bigger, with clever utilization
of space and an en suite head and stall shower. The guest quarters have
three real bunks, with the lower one on the starboard side big enough
for two, and a very cool berth up high on the port side. Hanging lockers,
vented storage lockers and drawers are numerous and attractively finished
inside and out. You'll find that Cabo is still using top-quality hardware
and performing exceptional joinery.
As mentioned, there's lots of innovative use of space. I saw a tab sticking
out of the bottom of the companionway steps,lifted it, and was delighted
to find a combo washer/dryer. It's a little awkward to get at, but-it
works. The galley has a large freezer and a Sub-Zero two drawer pull-out
refrigerator, and below the sole is a cavernous hold into which I could
easily lower myself. The main salon is large and comfortable, with all
the standard accoutrements. There is good under-sofa rod storage, replete
with easy pop-up access without having to remove any cushions, and our
test boat featured a Bose stereo sound system, dinette, flat-screen TV,
central vac, and an icemaker. The electrical panel is superb.
 Access to the engine room from the cockpit is easy, and there was plenty
of room to move around the pair of optional 800-hp MAN diesels. Dual
fuel filters with a throw valve come as standard equipment, as does a
crash valve that converts the starboard engine to an emergency pump via
a bilge pickup protected by a strainer. Electric fuel-primer pumps are
standard, and the oil-exchange system services both engines and transmissions,
as well as the generator. Other standards items include a fire-extinguishing
system and highwater alarm.
The cockpit is 136 square feet of battleground, more space than just
about any other 43 convertible offers. The 40-gallon live well has a
unique remote drain-plug release. The well doubles as a fishbox on days
when you don't want to bring live bait. Two 52-gallon, in-deck fishboxes
are sealed with gaskets and have large macerator pumps for cleanout.
Large, shallow side lockers
are ideal for gaffs, mops, and tag sticks.
The tuna door has a top gate and, in traditional Cabo style, the mounting
hardware and fasteners are massive, of aircraft quality and chrome plated.
The tackle-prep station has a good-size sink and rigging area, and the
deck freezer boasts three cubic feet of space. The lazarette is mammoth
and beautifully finished inside. All fuel shut-offs are mounted at the
top forward end of the lazarette hatch or on the top aft end of the 700-gallon
fuel tank, for easy access. Three tackle drawers and four gunwale rod
holders come standard, as do the coaming bolsters. An aluminum plate
is laminated into the deck for mounting a fighting chair. As always,
Cabo's cleats and deck hardware are larger and of better quality than
need be, and a 24-volt windlass is standard.
The layout of the outsized bridge is typical of a boat in this class,
with plenty of storage space and a neat icebox built into the forward
seat. All switches are mounted above or beside the console for easy access.
The 43's nimble hull lacks strakes and maintains a constant 18 degrees
all the way aft, which provides an unusually dry ride with impressive
seakeeping abilities. We ran our test boat off Cape Cod , Massachusetts
, on a windy day that kicked up moderate seas, and found that it rode
softly on all points of sea. The 43 backed and spun superbly, and with
the power steering was exceptionally agile at high speed. With full fuel
and water, a full tower with enclosure, and four people aboard, it ran
22 knots at 1600 rpm, 27 knots at 1850 rpm, 29 knots at 1950 rpm, and
topped out at 36 knots at 2300 rpm.
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