Caribiana Sea Skiffs Yachts Review

Caribiana was started by the husband and wife team of Lynn Rabren and his wife, Joanne McDonnough. Sadly, after Hurricane Katrina they were forced to stop production of their highly appreciated and admired sea skiffs. Luckily the story does not end there; the striking lines of the Caribiana Sea Skiff, got boating enthusiast and business man, Curt Morse’s attention. Morris had seen a Caribiana skiff in the waters of Florida and immediately fell in love. After spending time with the former owners, they agreed to sell him the company while remaining on board in the businesses to carry on the tradition of building fine skiffs. Caribiana skiffs are designed to honor the shape and style of the traditional work boats of the Caribbean. They are masterfully crafted with construction speaking to an earlier time. Caribiana are heralded for their versatility and style.

Caribiana Sea Skiffs are going strong today, offering a 23 foot skiff with many options. Each Caribiana is custom built in Pensacola, Florida. The finest materials are used in building such as aged teak wood. Other parts including floorboards and hull seats are custom made by local builders to suit the customer’s needs. The turnaround time depends on the customer’s requirements. You can get a custom built Caribiana in anywhere from 8 to 16 weeks. These custom-made vessels are very economical to run, Morse say; whereas he once used a 200-horse-power engine to drive his previous 23-foot boat, his Caribiana can reach 30 mph with a 60-horse-power engine a result of the slender hull, measuring 6.5 feet in width. The business is run family style and offers a very exclusive service. After someone buys a Caribiana, Morse will himself trailer it and hand deliver it. Morse has also been known to take potential customers out himself aboard his own vessel to share the experience. Caribianas are reviewed as a cherished, dry and stable skiff.

Pricing

Caribiana skiffs sell in the $20,000 range depending on options.

Pros

• Caribiana skiffs are custom designed
• Caribiana skiffs are very economical to buy and run
• Caribiana are hand delivered
• Quick turn around time

Cons

• Caribiana are small boats made for day cruising only
• Caribiana skiffs are slower running boats

Featured Models

Caribiana offers a 23 foot skiff with various options.

Conclusion

Caribiana skiffs are a simple vessel. They make one model, the 23 footer. They are economical and are hand delivered. If a versatile day cruiser or work boat is what you seek, you can’t go wrong with a Caribiana Skiff. Based in design on the traditional Caribbean worker’s boat, Caribiana Skiffs have a flavor of the Caribbean in their style. This romantic cultural design is part of what creates the allure of these vessels. Some of the options included in the skiffs are; teak floorboards, bronze hardware, rope inlay handrails and teak helm seat. The sleek design of Caribiana Skiffs, make them economical to power requiring only a small engine to get some good speed. In reviews, Caibiana skiffs were labeled a very stable ride even in choppy seas and seemed to elicit a real love affair with owners. The ride is dry and the lines are romantic, Caribbean romantic. With the reasonable price tag the Caribiana Skiff is must have in the 20 foot work-boat genre.