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By
DAVID LOCKWOOD
12 November 2007
Everywhere you look in the boating world, the tenet is
bigger is better. Well, almost everywhere. Going against the flow, one
of our longest-serving boatbuilders, International Marine in Melbourne,
has released a compact new Caribbean 24 Flybridge, the smallest boat in
its cruiser range.
Following on from the popular (especially in Melbourne) Bertram
23 released in the mid-1980s, the new 24 FBSF is an entry-level
big boat. Then again it’s also been designed to be trailerable,
mainly in Victoria and with a permit elsewhere where applicable,
so depending on your view - or lack thereof of if you’re stuck
behind the rig on the road - this could be a big boat.
Although Caribbean isn’t known for exploring the boundaries
of boat design, the new 24 has sweet lines and curvaceous or
subtly rounded mouldings. The demo boat also had a few extras to
make it a better fishing boat. This was the dual helm-station
model with optional GP700F Furuno GPS plotter/sounder, GME VHF
radio, flybridge clears, Reelax Reef Rigger outrigger bases and
poles, rocket launcher and rod holders, cockpit carpet and
wrap-around windscreen cover, cockpit cover and extra battery.
As tested, the Caribbean 24 was still full of fishing intent
and, with a single 260 hp (194 kW) small-block 5.0-litre MPI V8
MerCruiser petrol inboard with Alpha one sterndrive leg, it’s no
slouch. The factory is now considering the possibility of a diesel
engine option, but it goes against philosophy behind the Caribbean
24. That is, to create an affordable flybridge fishing and family
cruiser.
The foundations of this boat should prove enduring. Don’t
expect anything too exotic, just lashings of resin and rovings in
a solid GRP hull with glass-encapsulated marine-ply bulkheads,
stringers, interior furniture frames and cabinetry. The only other
material of note is a bit of Starboard plastic for the cabin doors
and infills either side of the engine box.
On the engineering front, there’s nothing too complicated
about the Caribbean 24. You get 12-volt systems with, on the demo
boat, dual batteries. You don’t get Shorepower, nor do you need
it, but a small solar panel with trickle charger might be handy.
There’s a manual marine head (in need of a retrofitted holding
bladder), while the stove is a two-burner number.
The 4.5 square metres of cockpit will please bluewater anglers
and those who like to kick back and entertain on deck. It’s a
deep cockpit, with a good sense of freeboard and stability. There
are full-length sidepockets for gaffs, handlines, paddles and so
on. Importantly, you can get your toes under them and lean
outboard with confidence when fighting a big fish.
A ladder to starboard leads to the flybridge, which has a fixed
bench seat for two or maybe three when running on flat water. The
overhead canvas offers shade, clears keep you dry, and there’s a
rocket launcher for storing your fishing rods. The full-width dash
is accommodating of electronics. But it would be nice to see a
pair of trim tabs.
Though you have stoop when stepping into the saloon, I didn’t
feel as though I would hit my noggin. Headroom is about 180 cm,
with side-opening windows for fresh air. The portside dinette for
two converts to a berth and the seat bases contain storage and an
icebox. Opposite is the galley with two-burner alcohol stove.
The cabin came as a surprise in that it’s truly accommodating
for a couple, with a vee berth with infill measuring about 190 cm,
over a Jabsco manual-pump loo. Storage comes in sidepockets and
there’s good seated headroom. You could easily sleep aboard.
We had testing conditions for the little Caribbean by way of
20-30 knots of westerly wind that would have made the offshore
fishing plain awful. Yet I was pleasantly surprised by the boat’s
ride. It runs nice and level, doesn’t thump but for the
unforeseen landings, and wasn’t wet if you ducked your head
behind the clears.
Low-speed cruise of 15 knots was clocked at 2600rpm, 19.8 knots
long- range smooth cruise came in at 3000rpm, and the boat felt
fast but in control at 23.8 knots at 3000 rpm. Wide-open throttle
of 4000 rpm returned 29.1 knots, so given some fair weather this
little bolter can keep up with the big battlewagons. And it’s
great value at $106,000 as tested. A big little boat, indeed.
lockwood@intercoast.com.au
AT-A-GLANCE
CARIBBEAN 24
Price as tested: Approx $106,000 w/ MerCruiser petrol inboard
engine and optional dual helm-station; GP700F Furuno GPS
plotter/sounder; GME VHF radio; cockpit carpet; flybridge clears;
outriggers with Reelax Reef Rigger bases; wrap-around windscreen
cover; rocket launcher and rod holders; cockpit cover; extra
battery and more
Length Overall: 7.20m plus swim platform and bowsprit
Beam: 2.69 metres
Draft: Approx 0.7 metres
Dead rise: N/A
Weight: 2400kg dry hull only
Berths: Two + one
Fuel: 300 litres
Water: 100 litres
Engine: 260hp (190kW) 5.0L MPI V8 MerCruiser petrol inboard with
Alpha one sterndrive leg
Details: International Marine, 1278 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby,
3179, Vic. Tel (03) 9763 7233.
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Marque Publishing Company
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