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Along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, a company’s vivid cruisers bring colorful people together.
Caribiana sea skiffs merge
contemporary materials and
traditional craftsmanship. Inset: With
a wave of a salt water–dipped palm
frond, company cofounder Lynn
Rabren offers the blessing at the
10th anniversary gathering of proud
Caribiana owners.
onboard bash
lender skiffs painted
blue, green, and red
slip easily onto the
sands of Pirate’s Cove. The
side-by-side hulls create a
vibrant rainbow, brightening
an already sunny day. “There’s
another one coming!” squeals
9-year-old Tristan Hazebrook.
As the unofficial greeter of
the Caribiana boat reunion,
she rushes to the water’s edge
to wave in newcomers. Her
mom, Lucy, says, “Tristan’s
been riding Caribianas since
she was a baby.”
Lucky girl. These teak-
trimmed boats represent the
best of coastal cruising. While
traveling the world producing
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PHoToGrAPHy By rALPH AnderSon
onboard bash
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TV shows, Lynn rabren and
wife Joanne mcdonough
became enamored of the
Caribbean’s classically lined
workboats. unable to find a
similar model in the American
market, the duo decided to
start an Alabama-based business.
“When Lynn and I met, he
was in Los Angeles and I was
in new york,” says Joanne.
“But he’s a Southern son, and
he really wanted to show me
the Gulf. It blew my mind that
this existed here: the white
sand, the bays, the bayou.”
This area also boasts a
strong boatbuilding heritage.
After extensive research, the
couple joined with local
craftsmen to make a mold.
The result: a stylish, versatile
skiff that’s easy to maintain
and inexpensive to operate.
“Before we knew it there
were six sold,” says Joanne.
“Word got out.”
Today, on the reunion’s
10th anniversary, people who’ve
heard the word embrace each
“It’s the perfect blend of old-school design
and modern functionality,” says Chappy Hardy.
“You can play bridge and talk while the
Caribiana is going 30 miles per hour.”
An elegant yet unpretentious
style keeps owners close to
nature. Some clients transition from
large yachts, wanting to simplify their
lives. “We’ve had smaller boats and
bigger boats,” says Dave Hull, “but
this is the best.” That loyalty keeps
folks coming to reunion celebrations,
where they admire the boats and line
up for catered roast pig (near right).
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other with open arms. Some
pitch umbrellas in the sand, sit,
and listen to the lapping waves.
others play volleyball or swim.
Strangers from all walks of life
and all parts of the country
become friends, united by a
passion for this distinctive boat.
A musician from Trinidad
and Tobago sets the mood with
a steel pan. His island rendition
of Sinatra’s “my Way” might
as well describe the process of
buying a Caribiana. “All of
the options were created by
early customers,” says Joanne.
“Someone would say, ‘oh, I
want a cocktail table,’ or, ‘oh,
I need oarlocks.’” each boat
ends up as unique as its owner.
What these folks have in
common is an undeniable love
for the water, and that includes
caring for the environment.
“It’s the perfect vessel for those
who are looking for leisure
with dignity,” says aficionado
Chappy Hardy. “It’s a refined
approach to boating. you don’t
The now decade-old celebration
attracts revelers of all ages.
Musician Raymond Lowe Sr.
(above, center) strums on his steel
pan, giving the party a tropical
feel. Pigtailed Tristan Hazebrook
looks on as Joanne McDonough
(in white bathing suit), Lynn
Rabren’s wife and business partner,
leads the festivities.
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see Caribiana owners throwing
beer cans over the sides.”
They also seem to share
a quirky sense of humor and
a laid-back outlook on life.
When the scheduled minister
can’t make today’s event,
Joanne says, “Well, we’ll just
do our own blessing.” Lynn,
looking like a modern-day
buccaneer in his paisley head
scarf, takes the helm. He dips
a palm frond in the salty water
and sweeps it dramatically
across the bows, spraying them
with good cheer.
Lynn stops beside the first
craft he ever built, saying,
“This was the start to all of this
foolishness.” He speaks to the
hull gently, almost whispering,
“may you have wonderful,
magical adventures.” Turning
to the crowd, Lynn exclaims,
“Bless everyone. Let’s drink,
let’s eat, let’s boat, let’s have
fun!” And with that, returned
shouts of “Amen” and “All
right, brother” fill the air.
Boat options include can-
vas bimini tops and long
tillers.“Can you imagine any other
boat that would inspire people to
participate like this?” asks one
owner. The lively group mixes
drinks, plays sports, and chills out.
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Partygoers track a thick,
sugary coating of sand onto
a well-worn deck. Beneath
a galvanized roof, guests dig
into roasted pig with Jezebel
sauce, sweet Silver Queen
corn, and Key lime pie.
“We also bring beach food,
all that Baldwin County
bounty: West Indies salad,
peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked
tuna,” says attendee Charlene
dindo. “And you know
to always have your cork-
screw ready.”
The wine flows as the
group toasts the decade. But
before things get too rowdy,
everyone hops aboard and
motors to the east end of
ono Island, the skiffs slicing
through each other’s wake.
once at the shallow moor-
ing, the crew unwinds on a
nearly deserted spit.
As the sun starts its steady
decline, one by one the
boats leave the isle and head
toward their respective ports.
But regardless of where they
go, Alabama’s Gulf Coast,
the birthplace of Caribiana,
will always be ready to
welcome the fleet home.
For more, call 888/203-4883
or visit caribiana.com.