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John's Journal... Entry 98, Day 3

The Caribiana Boats

click to enlargeEDITOR'S NOTE: Former T.V. producer Joanne McDonough and her videographer husband Lynn Rabren of Orange Beach, Alabama, live their dreams by conducting private nature tours for visitors to the Gulf Shores area and by selling their custom-built Caribiana boats as fast as they can build them. This week, we'll talk to Joanne and learn how they've started their businesses, why they've chosen to design and build their own boats, and what passengers can expect to see and do on their island cruises.

Question: What makes the Caribiana different from any other boat?
Answer: I believe our boats are different mainly because of their versatility. The Caribiana doesn't draw very much water -- only 14 inches running with the engine trimmed. The boat itself only draws 10 inches, but we also can travel out in the Gulf of Mexico comfortably and safely and handle any kind of swell.

Question: What is the boat made of?
Answer: She's made of fiberglass.

click to enlargeQuestion: What is the origin of the design?
Answer: You'll see hulls that look like the Caribiana's all over the world. My husband and I came across the design while we were in the Caribbean and really enjoyed the ride. We decided to make our own version of it.

Question: So the boat's design originated in the Caribbean?
Answer: Mostly the design is from the Caribbean, but you may see variations of this hull all over Indonesia, Greece, Italy, etc. The hull is actually based on an ancient design.

Question: Why did you decide to build this boat?
Answer: We were looking for a boat that was versatile enough to go in shallow water and beach very easily but that also could go into the Gulf of Mexico and trailer around the country into a variety of marine environments.

Question: How wide is the Caribiana at its beam?
Answer: 6-1/2 feet.

Question: Why do you have such a narrow boat?
Answer: Because she is long and lean, she can be pushed with low horsepower -- about 50 horsepower -- at roughly 30 miles an hour. She's also very lightweight and offers a smooth ride.

click to enlargeQuestion: What do you use the boat for primarily?
Answer: The beauty of this boat is that she can be used for whatever purpose you want. Actually, Caribiana builds 20-foot and 23-foot sea skiffs. We use them for fishing and pulling kids on inner tubes. Of course, we also use them for our island-cruise business.

Question: Why is the boat good for nature cruises?
Answer: The boat is great for nature cruises because you're very close to the water. Too, she can go in very shallow places without causing much wake. All of our boats have 4-stroke engines on them, so they're extremely fuel-efficient. They don't put any oil into the water or smoke into the air.

Question: How fuel-efficient are they?
Answer: The 23-foot boat with a Honda 50 gets 8 to 10 miles per gallon. We burn less than 3 gallons of fuel per hour.

Question: How many passengers do you carry on your tours?
Answer: We take a maximum of six passengers.

Question: How many people do you take on fishing cruises?
Answer: We haven't done fishing cruises.

click to enlargeQuestion: Could you take three or four out at a time?
Answer: I think we'd rather keep the number to two or three people.

Question: How much does the boat cost?
Answer: The Cruise Bell 23 Coaster starts at $16,600. And then you choose your engine and add your trailer. The total package is about $25,500. Question: Is that the boat delivered from the factory? Answer: Yes, and depending on where you are in the country, we'll deliver it to you for a freight charge. Our 20-footer starts at $10,600. And the package with the 4-stroke engine is $18,900.

For more information about Caribiana, visit the website at www.caribiana.com, or, call (888) 203-4883 or (334) 981-4442.

To learn more about the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area -- restaurants, attractions, birding opportunities, hotels, condos, fishing captains -- call the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (AGCCVB) at (800) 745-7263, or visit the website at www.gulfshores.com.

TOMORROW: Orange Beach's Flora and Fauna

 

 

 

Check back each day this week for more about Caribiana Island Cruises ...

Day 1 -Caribiana Island Cruises
Day 2 -How Caribiana Island Cruises Began
Day 3 -The Caribiana Boats
Day 4 -Orange Beach's Flora and Fauna
Day 5 -The Sand Islands

John's Journal