From The Helm: 2003 Cabo 40 Express Sportfish

In the Northeast, passionate offshore fishermen basically have three choices when it comes to choosing the battlewagon that fits their respective needs – traditional downeast, center console, or sportfish. The waters and weather here rarely provide us with large stretches of perfect conditions, therefore we need boats that can handle what Mother Ocean throws at us and keep us comfortable while raising fish.

When it comes to the sportfish design, there are few manufacturers that can compare to the toughness and fishability of a Cabo Yacht. The birth of Cabo Yachts began, of all places, at high altitude, in the small desert town of Adelanto, California. The first Cabo was the 35 Flybridge, introduced in 1991, which made an instant splash. The 40 was introduced in 2002 and quickly proved to be the pinnacle of design for the pocket battlewagon.

Designed by Michael Peters, she was built from the keel up to be a fishing machine. The 40 is built to fish inshore one day and offshore the next. The shallow draft – 3.5 feet thanks to prop pockets – allows us to troll tube-and-worm rigs along inshore ledges and jig for stripers on the shoals without fear of polishing our propellers. At the same time her 28,000-pound displacement and 15.9-foot beam provides stability to fish the open ocean east of Chatham, Massachusetts in the fall or travel to the edge of the Continental Shelf to fish the canyons.

Performance and Fishability

Carrying 600 gallons of diesel and burning a modest 42 gallons per hour at 27 knots, the Mulberry Canyon has the speed and range to fish anywhere in New England. When trolling for tuna and marlin, at 4.5 knots for squid bars or 8 knots for fancy marlin lures, the boat’s wake presents clean lanes for bait and lure placement. The trolling valves also allow us to drop down slow enough to troll tube-and-worm rigs for stripers.

The MAN engines are smooth running and quiet when in operation. The hydraulic engine hatch makes it very easy to work around and clean the engines during routine maintenance. The pairing of the ZF transmissions and Glendinning controls provides split-second response when docking or backing down hard on a fish.

We employ double spreader Lee’s of Miami outriggers and center rigger for our offshore fishing spreads. The outriggers are perfectly matched to the boat and easy to take down for routine repairs and waxing.

The boat is the perfect fishing platform. The helm and cockpit total over 200 square feet, providing ample space for multiple-hook-up situations as well as extra coolers if needed. To the starboard helm deck area are six tackle drawers for all tackle-related storage needs. The cockpit is lined with seven swivel rod holders, the fighting chair and its rocket launcher accommodate another eight rods, each tower leg handles three rods, and the overhead rocket launcher has another six rod holders, so there is no shortage of rod storage in the back of the boat.

Under the deck to port and starboard are two large coffin boxes that can handle all the day’s catch plus ice, and the livewell in the transom is big enough to handle several dozen pogies or a few good bluefish, as well as doubling as a third fish hold. Additionally, the livewell is wired for light so finding baits at night is not a problem. Also in the cockpit are the bait freezer and rigging station to port and a drink box to starboard.

The side decks and bow rail allow safe passage to the bow for casting at breaking fish and for docking situations. The windlass and anchor are controlled either from the pulpit with electronic foot controls or from the helm with a toggle switch. The custom-molded hardtop easily accommodates the six-man life raft canister, cat 1 EPIRB, and radar. The buggy top in the tower boasts a comfortable seat for two, Furuno RD-30, and electronic controls. The tower/hardtops boast upper and midlevel molded deck lights. The lower level deck lights are LED and adjustable. Additionally the Cabo has two white underwater lights in the transom for nighttime fishing. The tuna door and gate in the transom swing outward and locks in place on the transom for hauling fish aboard and is plenty wide for accommodating large fish – we fit a 497-pound mako through with zero hang ups.

In addition to the life raft and EPIRB, the Mulberry Canyon carries a SOLAS life ring, survival suits, type 1 lifejackets, all necessary flares and distress equipment, an extensive first aid kit, and multiple fire extinguishers through the boat.

Interior

The interior of the Mulberry Canyon makes all guests feel right at home with her many amenities. Hot and cold AC provides the needed air temp for any season. The galley hosts a two-burner stovetop, microwave, two large food storage cabinets, and a refrigerator and freezer below the counter for all perishable goods. The salon area provides seating for five on the large sofa to starboard and a teak dinette table for those midnight canyon dinners. There is also a 19-inch flat screen television and DVD player hooked up to an eardrum-busting sound system. For the overnights, the salon sofa converts to an over-under bunk system for two. In the amidships bilge of the salon, there is additional storage for spare parts and four rods and reels. The full head offers a large shower and full sink top. The water heater provides ample hot water to get the whole crew cleaned and ready for dinner after a successful trip.

The master stateroom has a queen-size bed, three drawers and a cabinet underneath for storage, and two closets for hanging garments. To the port and starboard is rod storage for up to 10 rods – that brings the count to 14 rods in the interior! There is also a television in the state room and separate AC control.

Whether fishing hard in the canyons, flying a kite for bluefin tuna, jigging the current rips for stripers or cruising islands with family, the 40 Cabo Express is a great all-around platform, offering seaworthiness and speed all in one package. Plus, it provides all the necessary comfort and equipment to accommodate everyone’s needs, from hardcore fishermen to pampered guests.