Luxury Yacht & Speed Boat

Perhaps you’ve noticed, as I have, that one of the features particularly intrig­uing to many electronics shoppers these days are those slick virtual engine-gauge screens you can pull up on many a multifunction display (MFD). Never mind for a moment that most of those MFDs can’t yet connect to many engine models; instead, imagine how those screens would look if you ran a company that makes umpteen real ma­rine engine gauges every year.

Many of its current gauges—there are some 10,000 models if you count all the available colors and the various brand names they’re sold un­der—feature a little data LCD in addi­tion to a traditional pin and dial. Moreover, the company’s MG2000 sys­tem includes a powerful microprocessor that’s built into a gauge: like casing and able to talk with all sorts of engine con­trol modules (ECMs), then mix the data with other inputs to do calculations like fuel flow, and finally rebroadcast every­thing to a network of less-intelligent gauges. Read the rest of this entry »

A portable oil-changer is basically a five- gallon plastic bucket with a pump mounted on top; the pump sucks up old lube oil through a cocktail-straw-size tube via the dipstick hole and dumps it into the pail.

I used one of these for a couple of years on my GM-powered Hatteras, and it worked fine, albeit slowly—very slowly. If you’re talking twin engines plus gears, plus a genset, pack a lunch when you change your oil, because you’re going to be there a while.

A better solution is to invest in a built-in oil-change system, comprising a reversible electric pump and a manifold of valves plumbed to your engine crankcases, trans­missions, and genset. You pump the used oil into a container, and then move the exhaust hose into a five-gallon pail of fresh oil (where it now becomes the supply hose), re­verse the pump, and refill. The oil is quickly pumped out and in via the oil pan drain, rather than through the dipstick tube. You’ll also have to find a place to dispose of the old oil properly—ask your marina manager or even your dockmates for their advice.

Reverse, X-Change-R, and Jabsco sell oil- change systems to suit multi-engine setups. Installation is straightforward, but drains each engine before pulling the oil-pan plug, or you’ll have an EPA-size cleanup job. I’d bite the bullet and pay the yard—its mechanics are skinnier.

Sometimes less is more, especially if doing less means doing it better. A case in point is the layout of Cheoy Lee’s 78 Sport Motoryacht. Rather than maximizing the number of guest staterooms, the sav­vy builder opted for just three. But each one is so generously proportioned that it’s like every stateroom is a master suite. All three extend full-beam, the master offering a king berths while the two guest suites offer queens. For extra privacy, the forward stateroom is accessed via its own stairway alongside the lower helm. Even the crew stateroom is exceptional; full-beam at the stern with upper and lower berths, a dinette, and a private head with separate shower. Read the rest of this entry »

Mika Orlando went from owning a CABO 31 to a CABO 40 to a CABO 52 Express in just three years. “CABOs have amazing fish- catching ability,” says Mika. “On our second time out during a tournament, we were still just dialing in our new CABO 52 Express and we caught and released a 300-lb. blue marlin!”

Top quality power.
Quality on the CABO 52 begins in the engine room. MAN V12-1550CRM, 1528 HPm, V¬12 common rail injection, turbocharged and after-cooled marine diesel engines nestle into the glistening white gelcoat finished engine spaces, with plumbing, wiring, shafting and control cables neatly run, secured and easily accessed. Power options range from 1500 HPm MTU V-10′s to 1675 HPm Caterpillar C32′s. Read the rest of this entry »

Introducing the CABO 38 Express:
CABO broke the rules and opted to build the 38 with all of the high tech laminating techniques used in their larger boats. The hull and deck on the 38 are constructed using the highest quality vinylester resins and closed cell polyurethane foam core, vacuum bagged for maximum strength and to minimize the performance robbing weight associated with standard lamination techniques used by other builders of boats in this size range. Look at the performance chart below The 38 has a cruising speed over 30 knots equipped with standard Caterpillar 710 HPm diesel engines and the top speed is expected to exceed 37 knots with optional MAN common rail 800 HPm engines. Actual speeds attained with each engine package will be posted on CABO’s website as soon as all sea trials are completed. Read the rest of this entry »