The Cabo Rico 45 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Cabo Rico 45, a heavy displacement long-keeled cutter, was designed by Bill Crealock and built in the USA by Cabo Rico.

A Cabo Rico 45 sailboat at anchor in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola in the BVIsA Cabo Rico 45 cutter

Published Specification for the Cabo Rico 45

Underwater Configuration: Long Keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 45'0" (13.7m)

Waterline Length: 35'0" (10.7m)

Beam: 13'2" (4.0m)

Draft: 5'6" (1.7m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 35,600lb (16,148kg)

Designer: Bill Crealock

Builder: Cabo Rico

Year First Built: 1995

Published Design Ratios for the Cabo Rico 45

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 19.8

  • Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
  • 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
  • Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 37.9

  • Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
  • Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 371

  • Under 100: Ultralight
  • 100 to 200: Light
  • 200 to 275: Moderate
  • 275 to 350: Heavy
  • Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 46.9

  • Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
  • 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
  • 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
  • 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
  • Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.6

  • Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
  • Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Cabo Rico 45

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 19.8 suggests that, in the right hands, the Cabo Rico 45 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 37.9 means that the xxxxx will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 371, tells us the Cabo Rico 45 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 46.9 suggests that crew comfort of a Cabo Rico 45 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.6 tells us that a Cabo Rico 45 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

Other sailboats in the Cabo Rico range include:


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