Power & Motoryacht – September 2019

NEW BOATS

N

ostalgia is a funny thing. When
we think of the past, usually
it’s rendered in a rosy tint too
illustrious to ever have been true.
And yet we pine, and reminisce,
and stare into the prop wash. We imagine an
impossibly large fi sh that got away, or that
unblemished little boat we had to sell. Like
such cherished memories, the return of Cabo
Yachts owes a debt to nostalgia. Stoked by the
forces of consumer research, market share
analysis and dealer input, the new 41, which
debuted early this year, is the builder’s fi rst
new model in over six years.
In reviving the ineff ectual brand, Hatteras
Yachts is betting on familiarity and brand
loyalty. When the company bought Cabo in
2006, they did so with the goal of continuing
the populist appeal and legacy of the
California-based builder famous for its line
of express-style sportfi shermen in the 36- to
52-foot range. And they did, for a time. But
aft er production was moved to New Bern,
North Carolina (where then-Brunswick-
owned Hatteras Yachts was located), it didn’t

take long for it to grind to a halt thanks to the

recession and prioritizing the introduction

of new Hatteras models.

Pre-recession, most anglers can remember

being impressed aft er owning or seeing a

Cabo in action when the brand was white

hot, throughout the late ‘90s and early

aughts. Aft er its lengthy hiatus, Hatteras

conducted discussions with Cabo customers

and dealers. Th ey were surprised by what

they learned: all these years later, the brand

ranked second overall in brand reputation,

quality and construction when compared

to the competition. In 2017, such feedback

led Hatteras Yachts CEO Kelly Grindle

to announce “the market conditions are

right to bring back the proven Cabo line of

hardcore fi shing boats.” Shortly thereaft er,

the design process on the 41 began.

Th e 41 has been built with the Cabo 40 of

old in mind, and the Michael Peters deep-V

off shore hull harkens back while also looking

forward. Feedback from focus groups

centered on wanting a small inboard diesel

sportfi sh with the same dry ride and amenities

of a much bigger boat: i.e., air-conditioning,

a galley, a large stateroom and full-size head.

Th e lower arrangement layout, helm deck

and cockpit were also tweaked, with slight

improvements to the riding surface. What

has been retained is the small but mighty

bluewater ethos and a lift -up helm deck that

provides access to the engines: twin 626-hp

Volvo Penta D11s that come standard, with

upgrades for 670-hp and 725-hp engines,

as well as various horsepower options with

Cummins QSM11s. Th e design also includes

room for a Seakeeper 6, full custom tower

and outriggers.

“Th e Cabo buyer is someone who wants

an overall better fi shing experience, but still

maintains the versatility and fl exibility to take

family out for the day in comfort,” said Hatteras

Director of Marketing Joe Cacopardo. “And

unlike many competitors in this size range,

the salon, galley and stateroom off er more

comfort and the cockpit arrangement is well-

suited for big game fi shing.”

When I fi rst came across Hull No. 1 at

the Miami boat show, she had been cruised

Stoked by the forces of consumer research, market share analysis, dealer input and

a near-universal appeal, Cabo is back.

Cabo 41

LOA: 42'10"

Beam: 15'9"

Draft: 3'5"

Displ. (light): 31,000 lbs.

Fuel: 550 gal.

Water: 95 gal.

Standard Power: 2/625-hp Volvo

Penta D11s

Price: Upon Request

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