Cabo 44 HTX Tout

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Cabo’s new 44 HTX represents an embodiment of the term fishability, which makes sense, since she is designed to replace the venerable 45 Express, with more than 130 hulls sold. She does that, but the high quality and comfort of the 44 HTX’s living quarters are a bonus that will trump her angling prowess for owners who also like to cruise.

Fishability first: The 44 HTX barely winced doing 34.8 knots into white-capped three- to five-foot seas, and she topped out at 38 knots. Powered by twin 1,001-horsepower Caterpillar C18 ACERTs, the vessel’s optimum cruise proved to be 27 knots, turning 1860 rpm at 70 percent load.

I was mightily impressed by how well the 44 drifted in the trough. She rocked, to be sure, but with a roll moment and transitions that never challenged my ability to keep my feet. Working a fish, she spun with the authority that comes from excellent balance and big props churning in clean water (see the video below, and our complete photo gallery here).



The 44 HTX’s cockpit has three hatches — two above massive macerated fish boxes and a third for the lazarette. The boxes’ cold plates kept our tuna chilled for three hours without any ice. The centerline transom livewell with aquarium window lets you monitor your baits. And when the hatches fall shut, all you hear is a gentle whoosh rather than a slam.

Cabo prepares the deck for a fighting chair and scallops out the mezzanine deck to make space for a mate to pivot the chair from behind. A bait tray or sailfish pod on the chair back might make space tight. The cockpit bails quickly, and reaching the water to release a fish is doable.

The mezzanine seats five spectators while the battle rages, and it’s fitted with a bait freezer and two additional insulated stowage compartments below.

The starboard-side tackle locker features drawers, complete with weep holes and stops. The former inhibits corrosion; the latter keeps the tackle from dumping onto the sole. The washdown, plus tube stowage for gaffs or mops, reside behind a hatch near the tackle locker.



First revealed on the 44 HTX, the hardtop constitutes the signature element of this yacht’s design. Its rigid enclosure provides climate control, obviating the need to struggle with Isinglass. The side windows slide open and, combined with the hatch overhead, deliver more-than-ample ventilation when you want to give the genset and air conditioning a rest.