When word got out that the legendary Caribbean brand was being revived under the new ownership of Australian boatbuilding powerhouse Maritimo, renowned the world over for their luxury, long range motor yachts, it sent a ripple of excitement through the wider boating community.
The name Caribbean isn’t just another badge – it’s an Australian legacy. A legacy of dependable, go-anywhere vessels that has earned a cult following across Australia and beyond. So, what happens when that legacy is brought in under the wing of the most experienced production boatbuilders in Australia? Well, you get the new Caribbean 40 – and it’s shaping up to be something special.
There’s a lot of sentiment wrapped up in this project. As Sean Savage, Director of Distribution for Maritimo put it, “It’s almost a changing of the guard. Generations of Aussie boat owners grew up on Caribbeans. Their families fished from them, cruised the coastline, and passed down both boats and stories. Yet time marches on, and even legends need a fresh coat of gelcoat – or in this case, a full rethink.”
Maritimo recognised that the old Caribbean brand had the bones of something brilliant. “They were renowned for being strong, reliable, simple, and built to last,” said Savage “However, they needed a birthday. And that’s exactly what we’re giving them.”
“We’re proud of what we do in Australia, and proud to keep this brand alive locally,” Savage explained. “You need to get it absolutely right from a dollars-and-cents business perspective. Add to that the passion behind the scenes is enormous.”
And that passion is palpable – especially from Bill Barry-Cotter, Maritimo’s founder and Aussie boatbuilding icon. “No one’s more excited to go to work than Bill,” Sean said. “He’s competitive, passionate, and totally focused on getting this right. It’s infectious.”
“One of the first steps we embarked on was we literally pulled current Caribbeans from the water and scanned them inside one of our massive sheds. “Once we had the boats digitised, we could put them on our design programs and get an in-depth analysis of them,” Savage explained.
Maritimo didn’t want to reinvent the wheel – and there was no need. The hull was already excellent – slippery, stable, efficient. What the boat needed was a modern upper structure, modernised amenities and updated systems.
Armed with CAD scans and customer input, Maritimo assembled a customer focus group made up of long-time Caribbean owners. Many had owned multiple boats from the brand and weren’t shy about what they wanted.
“The feedback was consistent,” said Savage. “They loved the hull, loved the ride – but the deck and fit-out were very dated. It just needed to evolve. So that’s where the team have focused their energy – above the gunwale.”
“We redesigned the entire upper footprint – new coach house, flybridge, deck layout, the lot,” Savage said. “We’re keeping it traditional – functional, but with a nicer finish than the original Caribbeans had. We are going to keep things intentionally simple and strong, with an emphasis on external staircases, fibreglass hardtops, and high-quality clears. Nothing that can add extra weight – or cost,” Savage added. “Too much weight is a killer for performance,” Savage noted. “We’re mindful of that. Everything we’re doing is about performance, practicality, and value.”
Maritimo has a unique advantage here. With an existing factory footprint, established trades, and in-house design and racing expertise, they can build a 40-footer efficiently, where other manufacturers simply can’t.
“For most boat builders, the cost of setting up to produce a 40-foot boat would outweigh the profit they make, but Maritimo already has the infrastructure and the systems. That’s why we can do this, and do it right,” said Savage.
And while Maritimo and Caribbean remain distinct brands, the DNA of quality and performance will flow between them. You might think this is all about heritage, but performance is front and centre too. Maritimo’s offshore racing credentials are also employed.
Customers told the design team they wanted cruise speeds of 25 knots, with the ability to hit solid numbers starting with threes in the right conditions. They wanted a boat that would plane efficiently and go the distance. That’s exactly what the Caribbean 40 is being designed to do. “It’s not just nostalgia,” Savage said. “We’re combining everything Maritimo’s learned about offshore performance, with what Caribbean always stood for – reliability and toughness.”
The new Caribbean 40 is also being offered in two distinct packages: a game fishing version, and a family-friendly bluewater cruiser. That’s an acknowledgement to how broad the customer base for this boat truly is. “You can go all-out on horsepower and tech for serious fishing, or dial it back for comfort and range,” Savage said. “We’re even adding more fuel capacity than ever before.”
“We’re responding to what people are asking for,” Savage explained. “We’ve done no marketing – zero – and we’ve been overwhelmed by interest. That says something about the strength of the Caribbean brand and the high level of interest with the Maritimo parenthood.”
Another clever part of the design process that has been adopted – every Caribbean model must be easily transportable. From Western Australia to Far North Queensland, boats need to move via road efficiently. So Maritimo is engineering the flybridge with transport in mind. Some flybridges will be detachable, others may hinge back. It’s all about making these boats and delivering them as efficiently and cost effectively as possible, for the new owner.
While the 40 is the headline act right now – with hull number one expected to splash by Christmas – there’s more in the pipeline. A 27-footer is drawing big interest, especially from those looking for compact outboard-powered Sportfishers.
“We haven’t touched a 27 yet in terms of scanning, but it’s next,” Savage teased. “People are already lining up for it.”
There’s also a 49-50 footer in development, carrying the same visual DNA as the 40. “Once you see a new Caribbean, you’ll know it’s a Caribbean – even from a distance,” Savage said.
Throughout it all, the team has remained committed to keeping the Caribbean name alive and proudly Australian. Many of the Maritimo team grew up boating in or around Caribbeans. Now, they’re building the next generation. It’s more than just a project – it’s personal.
“We feel honoured to be custodians of the brand,” Savage said. “We’re not hiding the fact that it’s built by Maritimo, but we’re keeping the Caribbean name, logo, and legacy intact. So, we’re pretty bullish on where we stand right now and what we can achieve with the Caribbean,” Savage added. “I can’t tell you the exact model rollout order beyond 40, but I would say that our goal would be to have three Caribbeans on display at Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show,” Savage concluded.
“This acquisition of Caribbean has marked a pivotal moment for Australian boating,” said Simon Stewart, Maritimo’s Marketing Manager. “Our Maritimo team is energised by the opportunity to honour Caribbean’s legacy while introducing a refreshed brand experience, through new models, a revitalised website, and a bold social strategy.”
“Caribbean has a loyal following and a reputation for rugged, blue water vessels. Our marketing approach will celebrate that heritage while positioning the brand for a new generation of boaters.”
“We’re actively engaging with Caribbean’s dealer network and customer base to ensure our strategy is informed by those who know the brand best. Their insights will help shape everything from product development to digital storytelling.”
“This is more than an acquisition – it’s a reinvigoration. We’re building a brand narrative that blends tradition with innovation, and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next,” Stewart said in closing.
