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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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TexT By SArAH BrueGGemAnn

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.