Price improvement: now asking $579,999. The 2013 Cabo 40 HTX is one of the most popular models out on the water and is the best-priced on the market at $579,999. She won’t last long. She underwent her 1000 hour service, As you can see, the bottom paint has been applied. Both pod drives were removed the 1000 hour O-ring kits, studs nuts and washers and filters also fluids replaced. The propellers were shined up and balanced. She was buffed and waxed inside and out ready for her new owner.
The luxury interior of the 40 Hardtop Express (HTX) suggests champagne, prawns, classical music, monogrammed dock-siders and day cruising. Graham from Game and Leisure Boats even admitted that the Stidd helm chairs are the price of a small car! You can imagine my surprise when we purred away from the dock, jumped to the plane and blasted out of the Gold Coast Seaway at 30 eye-watering knots. This girl had some serious power hidden away.
There?s a lot of boat tucked away for a 40-footer, especially down below. Classically styled, the lower decks feature a luxury L-shaped lounge, bedding fit for a king, large kitchen, practical head and lots of storage. No matter where you looked there was a new cupboard, hatch or hidden nook with an abundance of space.
When I first ventured into the cabin I was immediately surprised by its depth. The extra headroom, something which is common to the range, gives the perception of space. No doubt this goes down well in Texas but even here in Queensland, a few larger-than-life gents will appreciate a boat which has made allowances for real-sized people.
The aforementioned luxury L-shaped lounge is the first thing you come across on entry and it?s big enough for all the troops. Double points also for not obstructing your path to the rest of the cabin. Wall-mounted opposite, is a flatscreen TV, perfect for nights onboard.
To be fair, a full complement eating dinner in the cabin would be a tricky proposition, as the table wouldn?t really be suitable for more than two people at a time. The kitchen on the other hand is big enough for four burly blokes to make peanut butter sandwiches side-by-side ? or maybe a handful of chefs shucking oysters.
Back out on the deck sore necks from watching lures will be a thing of the past with another winning feature, an aft facing bench seat complete with foldout footrest ? and yes, it does have plenty of drinkholders.
And as the pictures hereabouts show, the test boat also boasted a stunning teak gamechair. But without the tower and outriggers to complete the set I?d say it?s just taking up precious deck space.
Particularly importantly, a whopping 181lt bait tank is located slap, bang in the middle of the transom (adjacent to the door). While you may think it will get in the way, it actually doesn?t protrude much and suits the boat nicely. An internal LED light looks pretty swish and it also makes short work of finding your live bait in the dark.
