In trying economic times, corporations choose one of two reactions: pull back on everything, especially R&D and advertising, or spend more money on both! From what I've seen of past recessions, those companies engaged in the latter seem to emerge healthier. I believe such will be the case with Cabo Yachts. The 52 Flybridge represents both Cabo's newest and largest boat to date.

Performance
The Michael Peters-designed hull found no challenge in the three- to four-foot seas outside Fort Lauderdale's inlet this past May. It ran smooth as silk in the beam seas, and while we backed off the throttles (to 26 knots instead of 32) when heading straight into the waves, the 52 still proved to be a terrific riding hull. For those of us who experienced the original Cabos, the head-sea capability of this new hull has come a very long way. Head-sea performance and dryness have both improved exponentially.

In the troughs, I managed a top speed of 47.7 mph at 2,325 rpm, burning 177 gph — that's fast and not a speed you'll be running too often offshore. A more realistic cruising speed of 31 mph proved the most economical, providing a range of 500 nautical miles, figuring a 73.5 gph consumption rate. If you wanted to drop your speed back to displacement levels, you could make passage to Bermuda strictly on integral fuel capacity.

The Cabo 52 responds to wheel input instantly for small course changes but scribes a fairly wide arc for 180-degree turns. One thing I'd like to see changed, however, is the placement of the engine on/off switches from beneath crossbars of the wheel to underneath the helm pod where they'd be less easily shut off by mistake.

You're unlikely to experience a problem with maneuvering the 52, either fishing or around the docks. You can back down at 7 mph in total control and spin with or without rudder. And if you happen to take water into the cockpit, advancing the throttles forward empties it in an instant.

Drifting beam-to the four-footers showed the Cabo 52 to have a fairly long roll moment but with gentle enough transitions that it didn't feel awkward. Overall, this 52 combines all the best performance features of recent Cabos into a roomier and more luxurious package.

Fishing
I'd hate to think of anyone taking enough fish to fill all the fish     boxes aboard this 52. The 75-gallon transom livewell with Cabo's signature aquarium window also doubles as a fish box. Add to that the two huge in-deck boxes, and you could easily store your limit.
The "Tournament Package" Cabo 52 includes a PipeWelders tower and outriggers, Miya Epoch electric teaser reels over the helm and a bait freezer in the cockpit mezzanine. And have no doubt — all Cabos have a reputation for raising fish.