Fabbro F45 Cabrio Video Review: Twin V12s, Two Cabins, a Hidden Anchor
By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough8 min read
The Fabbro F45 Cabrio is a 45 ft dayboat built in Spain, and this one runs twin Mercury 600 V12 outboards. We walked a brand new F45 from the swim platform to the guest cabin. The galley sits behind the hardtop so the grill smoke goes straight up, the anchor slides out from behind a lid, and a battery system lets you spend the night at anchor without the generator. Below deck there is an owner's cabin, a guest cabin with twin beds and a head with a separate shower.
A dayboat with room to stay the night
We started at the stern, where the twin V12s hang off the transom and a huge locker sits under the sunbed. The galley is out in the open, behind the hardtop, so the grill smoke never reaches the ceiling. Forward, the deck steps up twice at the bow, and that is what buys the headroom below. Down there we found two cabins, a coffee nook with a fridge and a head with a separate shower.
What stood out on board
- A grill under open skyThe galley sits behind the hardtop, so smoke and grease never hit the ceiling. At the marina it doubles as a privacy wall.
- An anchor you cannot seeIt hides behind a lid at the bow, set at an angle. Push a button and it slides out and drops.
- Quiet nights at anchorA Victron battery system runs the boat at anchor, so you do not need the generator.
- A toy locker under the sunbedWith outboards, the space where Volvo inboards would sit becomes storage for Seabobs and gear.
- Side gates on a 45-footerOne on each side, for stepping onto a dock or into the water.
- A separate door for the ownerA door closes off the owner's cabin from the guest cabin, so parents and kids each get their own space.
Spec sheet at a glance
| Feature | What you get | The benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 45 ft 4 in (13.81 m) | A big deck that is still easy to handle |
| Beam | 13 ft 4 in (4.05 m) | Room for up to 12 guests on deck |
| Draft | 2 ft 4 in (0.70 m) | Shallow enough for sandbars and coves |
| Dry weight | 9.5 t (20,945 lb) | Light enough for outboard power |
| Tanks | 528 gal fuel, 105 gal water (2,000 L, 400 L) | Long days without a fuel stop |
| Power (as filmed) | 2x Mercury Verado 600 V12, 1,200 hp | Triple 600s are an option |
| Quoted speeds | 45 kn top, 25 kn cruise (as quoted on board) | Not measured on camera |
| Listed top speed | 50 kn (listing figures) | The builder quotes over 50 kn with triple 600s |
| Layout | Owner's cabin, twin guest cabin, one head | Sleeps four for a weekend away |
| Helm | 16 in Garmin screens, joystick, Victron system | Easy docking, quiet at anchor |
| Power on board | Cummins Onan generator, battery bank, 150 amp shore power | Run everything without noise at anchor |
| Alternatives | Volvo Penta inboards, enclosed hardtop | Pick outboards or inboards, open or closed |
Stern and engines
This F45 runs twin Mercury 600 V12s. Triple 600s are an option, and Fabbro also offers Volvo Penta inboards for owners who do not want outboards.
- Swim ladder.Drops from the stern for a quick way back on board.
- Toy locker.Under the sunbed, with a hatch to grab Seabobs without lifting the whole lid.
- Shore power.150 amp sockets under covers on both sides.
- Sunbed.With a backrest that reclines for the view aft.
- Shade.An electric or manual Bimini can be added.
Outdoor galley
The galley sits out in the open on purpose. Fabbro wanted the grill smoke and grease to go up into the sky, not into the hardtop, and the unit also screens the aft lounge at the marina.
- Storage.Space below for an ice maker or fridges.
- Fenders.Half-hexagon lockers on both sides.
- Side gates.Close off the cockpit for kids and pets.
- Gunwales.High all the way to the bow.
Cockpit lounge
The cockpit has L-shaped seating with a walkway down the middle, so nobody climbs over the table. The table folds down to open up more space.
- Skylight.A cutout in the hardtop lets light in.
- Audio.Speakers in the ceiling and a subwoofer in the centre.
- Fridge.Under the helm seat, within reach of the lounge.
- Ice maker.Under the helm station.
- Enclosed option.A closed version extends the season in cooler places.
Helm
The windshield runs all the way up to the hardtop, so no wind gets through the gap. The seats hug you like bucket seats, with bolsters on the sides.
- Screens.16 in Garmin displays and an adjustable wheel.
- Power.A Victron energy system and a Cummins Onan generator.
- Docking.A joystick, with a bow thruster as an option.
- Controls.VHF, start keys, USB-C and audio within reach.
- Storage.A drained locker under the floor in front of the seats.
Bow
Two steps lead up to the bow. The sunbed faces forward, a seat faces aft and a removable table sits between them.
- Shade.Carbon fibre poles hold a canvas over the bow.
- Lighting.Pop-up lights and pin lights along the walkways.
- Hidden anchor.Slides out from behind a lid at the push of a button.
- Side gates.Open onto a dock or the water, one on each side.
Below deck
A sliding door closes off the cabin entrance. At the foot of the steps there is a coffee nook with a fridge below, so you do not go up on deck for a drink.
Owner's cabin
- Headroom.Room to stand for a 6 ft 2 in adult.
- Bed.Slightly bigger than a full, with suede and LED lighting around it.
- Work table.Folds out for a laptop or a video call.
- Comfort.A TV, AC controls and light switches by the bed.
Guest cabin
- Beds.Two twin XL beds, wider than standard.
- Headroom.A cutout lets you sit up in bed.
- Privacy.Its own door, apart from the owner's cabin.
Head
- Shower.Separate, with a small bench.
- Light.A side window above the sink.
The F45 Cabrio packs a lot into 45 ft. The grill behind the hardtop, the hidden anchor and the side gates show real thought, and the battery system means quiet nights at anchor. The steps up to the bow pay off below deck, with proper headroom, an owner's cabin with its own door and a guest cabin with twin beds. Twin V12s give plenty of pace, and triple 600s are there if you want more.
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- Presented by
- Heigo Paartalu
- YachtWay Spotlight host
- Filmed by
- YachtWay Studios