Boat test for the 2008 Cabo Yachts 38 Flybridge with boat pictures, boat specifications, and boat test results. Includes pricing, videos, engine test reviews, and ratings for the 2008 Cabo Yachts 38 Flybridge.

Of course, even well-designed and -built boats can stand improvement, but the thing that got me was that Renfrow showed me what the company would improve before I got a chance to tell him.

He started off by pointing out the handrail along the flying-bridge helm. The builder noticed the distance from the last ladder step to the optional Bluewater helm chairs leaves a couple of feet without a handhold, so the handrail is being lengthened. Cabo is also converting the saloon's trapezoidal bird's-eye maple and teak saloon table from a fixed one to a rectangular adjustable version that will also add sleeping space. Cabo also thinks a teak veneer would look better under the saloon and galley countertops, and this will be available starting on Hull No. 2. Lastly, it's changing the backrest snaps on the helm benchseat. Instead, a track system will keep the backrests more stable underway and be easier to remove and replace during washdowns.

One place that unfortunately Cabo can't change is the engine space. It's tight. I had to crouch my 5'7" frame to maneuver there, and getting outboard of the big MANs requires climbing over the top of them. The same situation is likely with any engine choice, as all of options are in-line six-cylinder diesels. For example, the standard 600-hp Cummins are not as long as the MANs but just as tall and less than two inches narrower. And the 715-hp Caterpillars are ten inches longer and one inch taller than the MANs.

The 38's big horsepower equals big speed. Try 43.5 mph at WOT.

Nevertheless, the 38 was thoughtfully conceived for serious anglers. She offers comfortable accommodations for six yet can easily be handled by a two-man crew. With her speed, fishability, and sturdy build, she's a true pocket battlewagon for the sophisticated big-game enthusiast.

For more information on Cabo Yachts, including contact information, click here.

SPOTLIGHT ON: ZF Supershift

The close-quarters game just got a lot easier. Engage forward idle, and a traditional marine gear will exert about 325 psi on its clutch plates. Such hefty pressure is often the culprit in the lurch you get when engaging the transmissions, and it can result in idle speeds of 7-plus knots. In contrast, the ZF Supershift transmission offers an "easy dock" feature via a control panel at the helm, which reduces clutch pressure to 35 psi. The result: a smooth and quiet exit from a slip with full steerage and a 4.2-knot idle speed. This is a great tool for those who navigate long no-wake zones.

It's also good when fishing. With standard trolling valves, you have to disengage the valve to get full throttle back in the sticks after a hookup. Supershift's Autotroll function allows you to run at those 5-knot white-marlin speeds like a valve system, but once the throttles pass 60 degrees, you get full clutch pressure, which lets you chase fish faster. Retract the controls back to 60 degrees or less, and the system defaults to trolling mode.—P.S.

ZF Marine

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