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Y Knot · 07-10-2015, 02:34

Morning/evening all!

I'm thinking of getting a Cabo Rico 38, and as they are not so common over here, I'm UK based, I thought I would ask advice from over there. Is there anything in particular that I should look out for if it comes to a survey? Is there any positive or negative feedback from any owners out there?

The westerbeke engine is a new one to me. Are they reliable, and are parts readily available? This is the original engine on a 1985 boat, so should I be planning on replacing it soon?

Anything anybody wants to chip in with, I'm all ears!

Jeff Bird · 07-10-2015, 02:58

Hello and welcome Y Knot.

I don't know much about those boats myself. Here's the Youtube channel of someone that owns one.

https://www.youtube.com/user/dubaidd1/videos

Here's an article about them.

http://www.boatus.com/boatreviews/sail/caborico28.asp

**HappyMdRSailor** · 07-10-2015, 05:23

Helluva sturdy boat, I almost bought one...

Regular poster here has a 38... I'll point him to the thread!

Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Profile: cabo_sailor

phorvati · 07-10-2015, 06:56

I have W40 4-108. Westerbeake and perkins are usually same block. Check the block and head stamp. Block is likely based on BMC/leyland block. I get most of my core engine parts and gaskets at tractor stores. If you do a little homework you can find cross reference of expensive westerbeake marine part numbers to either slightly cheaper perkins or Massey/Ferguson or BMC/layland parts. Like fuel, Injection pump, and main rebuild parts. Obviously, some stuff is not identical, as tractor's heat exchanger is air cooled and perkins has different heat exchanger topology.

zboss · 07-10-2015, 11:22

We have a Cabo Rico 38.

There are few things that you can point to on a Cabo Rico as problematic as they are almost all customized to some degree. Like any boat of that age you should look for wet decks. The forepeak around the bowsprit is often not good due to the bolts that go through the bowsprit and into the deck, allowing moisture to enter. I would not buy a CR (or any other boat) with a teak deck.

The chain plates should have been replaced by now - there was some issues with the original ones. We did this ourselves with new ones we had fabricated. Maybe a couple hundred for the plates and bolts.

Almost all westerbekes that old (we have an 87) have oil leaks and may have lost some compression. We are delaying replacing ours because it just keeps going. We periodically add oil and wipe oil from the bilge. The actual block is either a Mitsubishi or a Perkins depending on the age. Both have a wide dealer network. I will not lie - the parts are generally expensive.

We are probably over due for a cleaning or replacement of the fuel injectors and a valve job.

When we do finally set off over the horizon we are likely to change the engine out for a Beta Marine. That would set us back about $15K USD or so.

Besides that you will find the same issues with all old boats - fridge insulation being bad, hoses needing replacing, port holes crazed or delaminating, etc..

barnakiel · 07-10-2015, 11:33

I only have experience with small Westerbekes that drive Westerbeke gensets. I think they are Mitsubishi block. The engine is light, shaky and noisy and prone to corrosion (heat exchanger area). It requires preheating or else it refuses to start.

As long as yours works fine probably keep it and maintain it well. Replace when starts giving serious problems or else dead.

CR 38 very fine boats. I had my eyes on a Tiburon once but she was too far geographically.

b.