The Cabo Rico 45 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The sailing press gave positive reviews to the Cabo Rico 45, praising its quality construction, beautiful woodwork, comfortable accommodation, good sailing performance and offshore capability. Some examples of reviews are:

• "The Cabo Rico 45 is one of those rare boats that can make you fall in love with sailing all over again" (Sailing Magazine, March 1998);

• "The Cabo Rico 45 is an elegant bluewater cruiser that offers comfort, performance and style in a proven design" (Blue Water Sailing, July/August 2000);

• "The Cabo Rico 45 is a boat that will take you anywhere you want to go in safety and comfort" (Cruising World, November 2000).

The Cabo Rico 45 is not currently in production. The last hull was built in 2007, according to the Cabo Rico owners association. The total number of hulls built is not clear, but it is estimated to be around 10 to 15.

The builders of the Cabo Rico 45 are Cabo Rico Yachts, a company that was founded by John Schofield in Costa Rica in 1971. The company started with the Tiburon 36, designed by W.B. Crealock, and then expanded its product line with other models designed by Crealock or Chuck Paine. The company was bought by Edi and Fraser Smith in 1987 and continued to produce quality cruising sailboats until the recession of 2007, when it filed for bankruptcy. The company is currently doing business in Costa Rica as CR Marine S.A.

The Cabo Rico 45 is a boat that can be compared to other sailboats in its class, such as the Valiant 42, the Tayana 48, the Hylas 46, the Island Packet 440 and the Pacific Seacraft 44. These boats are all similar in size, displacement, design and purpose, but they have some differences in features, performance and price. Some of the advantages of the Cabo Rico 45 over its competitors are:

• Its semi-custom nature that allows for more personalization and flexibility;

• Its midship engine installation that improves weight distribution and space utilization;

• Its full keel with a cutaway forefoot that enhances stability and tracking;

• Its beautiful and durable woodwork that adds warmth and elegance.

Some common problems with the Cabo Rico 45 are:

• The long shaft run that requires a jackshaft and a thrust bearing, which can be a source of noise, vibration and maintenance issues;

• The limited availability of spare parts and service for the boat, especially outside of Costa Rica, due to the low production and the bankruptcy of the company;

• The high price of the boat, both new and used, compared to other similar boats in its class;

• The moderate to heavy displacement that reduces its speed and agility, especially in light winds.

The designer of the Cabo Rico 45 is W.B. Crealock, a renowned naval architect who has created many other sailboats, especially for Pacific Seacraft and Cabo Rico. Some of his most famous designs are:

• The Pacific Seacraft 34, 37, 40 and 44, which are all cutter-rigged cruising boats with canoe sterns and full keels;

• The Cabo Rico 38, which is a similar boat to the Cabo Rico 45 but smaller and more popular;

• The Cabo Rico Northeast 400, which is a modernized version of the Cabo Rico 42 with a pilothouse and a fin keel;

• The Cabo Rico Tiburon 36, which is the first boat he designed for Cabo Rico and the predecessor of the Cabo Rico 38.