Veteran Has Been Revamped
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday October 4, 1996
Caribbean has a reputation for reliability but, as DAVID LOCKWOOD reports, until now style has proved elusive.
THERE are no postcard sunsets, swaying palm trees or pina coladas pouring out of this Caribbean. Worlds away under a dark cloud near Melbourne, the builders of Caribbean boats haven't been so lucky. America Bertram has pulled its weighty name from under the feet of the local marine marque. Caribbean Bertrams are now just Caribbeans, and now some believe they are only half the boats they could be.
Yet it makes not a ripple of difference on the water. Bertram or no Bertram badge, Caribbean cruisers are the same trusty sea boats they always were. And paradoxically, that is their problem - they have remained too much the same, and for too long. Caribbean's builder, International Marine, hasn't so much rested on its laurels as drifted into a decade-long, deep sleep of simply going through the motions of boat-building with little view to the future.
That was until the new Caribbean 26 Flybridge Pro Fisherman sauntered into the Sydney Boat Show boasting a decidedly flash interior for the veteran boatbuilder.
Using curvaceous moulded fibreglass, lively fabrics and tighter, trimmer upholstery, the new 26 marks a step away from the traditional Caribbean teak interior towards the brave new world of moulded fibreglass. Significantly, it retains its timeless, trusty, deep-vee hull - the very foundation on which the company built its reputation.
It began with the 26 in 1989, and a creditable 300 have been sold since. But even this model is a mere update of the Caribbean Bertram 25, the classic Australian convertible cruiser. Built from 1964 to 1989, more than 2,000 25s were sold.
The 25- and 26-foot flybridge cruisers have proved incredibly enduring. Hull integrity and offshore performance are again behind the new 26 Pro Fisherman, which is a flybridge pocket game-fisher bred for hunting big fish a long way from shore.
Despite its obvious game-fishing intent, the boat's new lay-out - inspired by Sydney dealer Sylvania Marina - is also superior for socialising. It runs rings around the existing 26 Flybridge Sport Fisherman and 26 Cruiser models.
With a more open-plan approach, generous L-shaped lounges, only a small table to port, and no aft saloon bulkhead, the new Pro Fisherman is a lot more convivial. The saloon seating means you are protected from the sun, well-ventilated via the open bulkhead and never far from the cockpit should that trophy fish strike.
A party of five can socialise comfortably inside the new 26 while admiring the lures being trolled astern. The starboard-side lounge is even long enough for a weary hand to stretch out, while sliding alloy windows give that all-important cross-flow ventilation. Headroom exists to trot down the centreline.
Saloon storage abounds with big open holds behind and under the lounges and along the companionway leading into the forepeak cabin. And there's room to swing game rods from the ceiling on custom-made hangers without cramping sitting room.
Couples will find the forepeak cabin with vee-berth sufficient for overnighting. That weary crew member may even slip from the saloon onto the double berth in the bow for a catfish nap.
Storage in the cabin is in side pockets and under the bunks, where there is also a manual pump-out head. However, the cabin footwell could do with a drain plug so ambient water can be directed to the bilge.
Day-boating facilities mark the junction of the saloon and cockpit. There is a modern, moulded sink unit to port with a tackle drawer underneath and a cutting-board lid above. A deep icebox for bait and/or beer is located opposite, under the ladder leading to the flybridge. The icebox needs an overboard drain.
While both modern, moulded storage units appear well made, they need handholds so you can lift their heavy lids.
Cockpit side pockets are full-length and lined, so you can store long-handed gaffs and tag poles. The side-pockets have been lifted off the floor so you can squeeze your toes underneath and comfortably lean outboard with padded fascias pampering your thighs. On the negative side, above-deck cleats in the aft quarters should be recessed to avoid fouling fish lines.
Grab rails, wide gunwales alongside the cabin superstructure and a high bow-rail make the journey to the foredeck secure for a mere 26-footer. But make certain the outrigger bases are mounted off the cabin sides and not the gunwales, which are also nice and wide for accommodating recessed rod holders.
The 26's deep hull is unlikely to ship water aboard. It's also beautifully stable at rest because the twin engines and crew weight are kept low. But you pay with a blocky, transverse engine box emanating from the transom which will confine you to fishing from the stern quarters and along the gunwales. Some hardcore game-fishers may even ditch the marlin board for a clearer view over the transom.
Under the engine box is a weird place for the battery isolating switch, although it does encourage routine inspection of the bilge. Here also hide twin 190 hp V6 4.3 LX MerCruiser petrol stern-drive engines, running Alpha One legs. Sound-proofing could be improved.
Yet the way the 26 hull streaks to a top speed of around 36 knots needs no improvement. More importantly, 3,200 rpm has the beautifully balanced boat reeling in the sea miles at a steady 24.5 knots. At this cruise speed, the motors drink a respectable 35 litres an hour from the 550 litre fuel tank, says Sylvania Marina's Nathan Ghosn, who had a hand in the design of the new 26.
Commanding the boat from the bridge - the only helm station - has you questioning the value of a lower helm station which clutters the saloon in a pocket game boat. From up top, you gain a clear view of the road, while resting on a two-person bench seat fixed behind a simple moulded-fibreglass helm module.
The moulding and dash have been designed for only basic engine instrumentation, compass on a dedicated binnacle, dual controls and a stainless wheel linked to hydraulic steering. Thus, deep-water depth sounder and GPS chart plotter will have to be custom-fitted.
The basic 26 Pro Fisherman is good buying at $87,000, excluding options on the test boat of outriggers and rocket launcher.
Both the 26's predictable, sea-kindly performance and its overdue rejuvenated interior are cause for celebration ... perhaps a pina colada inside the new Caribbean at sunset after a big day's big-game fishing, isn't so out of place after all.
© 1996 Sydney Morning Herald
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