With the 40 Hardtop Express, Cabo took all of the best attributes of their express fleet and combined them into one model. Optional pod drives provide the efficiency and maneuverability that make the 40 Hardtop Express one of the most quick and nimble express boats on the market.
GHOST is an example of a 40HTX that has never been fished and is cruise ready, but can easily be updated for todays fishing.
Performance
The capstone of the Hardtop Express model is the inclusion of an integrated hardtop - a feature that has proven wildly popular with serious anglers. Powered by CMD Zeus Pod Drives, this Michael Peters blue-water hull design provides the strength and stability you expect from CABO.
Why Pods? The benefits of Cummins Zeus pods include significantly improved fuel efficiency, enhanced performance and handling due to steerable thrust and joystick control, and increased onboard space because the engines are mounted further aft. Additionally, the design offers reduced noise and vibration.
Performance and handling
- Enhanced maneuverability: The pods can turn and articulate independently, providing intuitive, joystick-driven control for docking and slow-speed maneuvers.
- Improved high-speed handling: The steerable thrust offers more precise control at higher speeds.
- Faster speeds: The more hydrodynamic design can lead to increased cruise and top speeds compared to traditional shaft drives.
Efficiency and space
- Fuel economy: Pod drives can improve fuel efficiency by 15-30% or more.
- Increased onboard space: By moving the engines further aft, more space is freed up for use as a mid-cabin, stateroom, or storage.
Fishability
Careful planning and forethought go into the placement of every element in the cockpit - especially essentials such as the bait tank, tackle center and rod storage. Mezzanine seating provides a comfortable perch while watching the spread, or creek cruising with friends and family. Insulated fishboxes are molded into the sole and equipped with in-line macerators but double as storage and coolers. Full-length piano hinges and rubber gaskets allow for a tight seal, to keep your catch fresher longer. Lures and rigging equipment are neatly organized in a custom-designed tackle center at the rigging station which serves just as well for cruising gear.
Accommodations
The cabin of the 40 Hardtop Express showcases graceful spaciousness and refined comfort, which belie the boat's world class fishability. A starboard settee seats six and converts to upper and lower bunks when it's time to recharge overnight. Forward, the master stateroom features a large island double berth with ample drawer and locker space. The galley is fully equipped for fine cuisine, or just for feeding a hungry crew. A cedar- lined hanging closet provides additional stowage and, because CABO is fishing, lockers located port and starboard can hold up to ten rods.
