Cabo Rico 38 - 1982

[lutz33]

Anyone have any knowledge advice on Cabo Rico 38? Wanna use it for some Caribbean cruising, maybe an Atlantic crossing in the future.

Thoughts? On the boat....safe, sturdy, etc

[cabo_sailor]

Wellllll Now! I just happen to have a 1989 CR38.

Pros: Built like a tank
Very sea kindly - gives one a good feel of security
Five foot draft - not too bad
Cutter rig - a personal thing but I like them
Full keel - gives good tracking and a feeling of security in a grounding
Relatively stiff - heels to a point then just hangs there like on tracks
Good ventilation
Excellent factory support
Heaves to easily with just the main
Mine holds 180 gallons of water

Cons: Fuel tankage is not what I would like - 50 gallons
Storage can be a problem - not enough IMO
Cutter rig - you won't point as high as with a sloop rig
There is a LOT of exterior wood to maintain
The discharge hose from the head is real long which can lead to problems
I have a lot of minor gelcoat repairs due to a poor layup job but that is boat specific
The main traveler was not equipped with a pulley system for adjusting the main - I've since fixed that
Did I mention that there is a LOT of exterior wood?
IMO you are paying a premium for the name


General:

I retire in another month and we too plan to spend some time cruising in the Caribbean. Would I do it in this boat? Yep and I'd feel safe doing it. On the other hand, as stated above, you are paying a premium for people to go "oooh ahhh". With a bit more research you might find another boat of the same size such as the Pacific Seacraft 37 that may be just as good and less expensive.

I fell in love with my CR38 when I first saw her - hence that's what we have. Ahhh, who can explain the heart?

Good luck and if you have any more specific questions, go ahead and PM me.

Rich

[lionlast7]

Ah, but the Seacraft 37 is smaller inside than the even Cabo Rico 34 and has much less tankage than either of the Cabos. When I sailed the Seacraft for just a few hours once in 6' seas and she seemed to hobby horse, but I was not really aware of how she was loaded.

[John A]

Cabo sailor is correct!

A CR38 was my first and only boat purchased after sailing all sorts of things in a sailing club and a two year broker search. Mine was a '81.

I lived aboard for 22 yesrs and for nine plus years did a cruise from SF thru the canal and fussed about the Carribbean. I had a great time on a great boat.

Sometime in the '90's Crealock changed the interior, so a 1982 boat reflects the original design.

Lionlast7:

The Seacraft 37 has a wider beam with a cutaway keel with a flatter hullshape.

[Galilee]

Cabo Rico 38 Owners!
I am coming back to my 38 in Port Canaveral at the first of the year and want to remove the previous owner's name from the transom and put the new name on with fleet lettering. What I need to know is what is the dimension of the transom from side to side, that I might have it made proportionally to a correct scale. Could I ask one of the fellow CR38 owners to measure theirs for me and let me know that dimension? Thanks so much.
James (Owner of the Galilee)

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, James.