Caribbean 35

International Marine is a Melbourne-based, third-generation company that has been building boats for longer than most of us want to remember. The Caribbean 35 is one of the longest-running designs in the marketplace, with evolution rather than revolution dictating changes over its 30-odd year life.

The original International-produced 35s were Bertram-licensed boats that remained little changed until a hull reshape in the mid-1980s that saw less bow flare and, as a result, more interior space in the forward cabin.

In the late-1980s the then Bertram Corporation found itself in financial strife in the USA and International Marine went its own way, refining the Caribbean 35 design over the past 15 years.

Externally, the Caribbean 35 has changed little over that period and it takes a sharp eye to pick a new boat from a well-maintained older one. In fact, this is one of the traps for the unwary used-boat buyer, because it's possible to be confused about the true age of a Caribbean 35.

The most obvious external hull change is the revised transom moulding that was introduced circa 2000. This fatter transom section housed an integrated bait tank, with lifting lid, but non-fishos have the option of ordering this tank with a fridge plate installed, making it an ideal drinks refrigerator.

If the exteriors have changed little over the years the same can't be said about the interiors. The Caribbean 35 fell behind market expectations only briefly in the late 1990s and post-2000 models have state-of-the-art features for this class of boat.

When we tested a 2001 model in August of that year we were impressed with the design and quality of the fit out and furnishings.

In contrast to the early-1990s models we'd looked at previously, the 2001 model had been updated considerably. Gone was the inside steering station, in favour of a flybridge-only wheel and dashboard. The inside steering station had given way to an entertainment module with a TV and stereo, VCR and CD stacker, and a centralised electrical control panel.

The inside station remained on the options list, but Caribbean agents didn't expect many buyers to take it up.

The test boat also featured a solid fibreglass 'windscreen', but most used boats we've inspected have three-piece, 6mm glass screens.

Later-model boats have revised sleeping arrangements, with the early V-berth and fill-in cushion layout in the main cabin giving way to an angled double berth. The forward cabin comes with ample storage space, plentiful halogen lighting and a hatch with a retractable shade panel. Aft and to port of the forward cabin is a guests' or kids' retreat, with generous upper and lower single berths.

From the late-1980s hull change Caribbean 35s have had generous bathrooms, with roomy shower recesses. Late-model boats have bifold shower recess doors, a shower seat and Vacuflush toilet.

 The galley is three steps up from the forward section and a step down from the saloon. The late-1980s hull shape change saw the galley move from starboard to port and it became larger. New boats preserve this layout, but the finish is noticeably higher quality. Most used boats have laminated bench tops with polished wood fiddles around the edges, but some have optional Trezzini moulded tops with integrated fiddle shaping.

The saloon layout has changed little in the past 15 years, but the opulence has improved. Many late model boats have leather coverings on the three-seater convertible lounge to starboard and the U-shaped dinette lounge to port. The dinette in late model boats has a high-gloss teak table surface.

There are also lashings of highly polished wood capping in late-model boats and while it's magnificent to look at, it can be high-maintenance in the case of boats that are used often, or are moored without ample window coverings.

One of the Caribbean 35's strengths is its sleeping capacity. The berths handle four and the dinette and the convertible lounge can take four more. The lounge back rest can be swung upwards, where it hangs from webbing straps, providing a ninth bunk.

The large cockpit is furnished with a port side sink and a starboard side fridge/freezer.

NUTS 'N' BOLTS
The Caribbean 35 has a moderate-vee hull that measures 10.67 metres, plus a marlin board and bow platform. The beam is 4.03 metres, height above the waterline is 3.5 metres, without hardtop, and draft is 900mm.

Power comes from twin engines, with older boats having a pair of 235hp Volvo diesels or 340hp Mercruiser petrols. Mid-age boats have 250hp Volvo diesels or 3208 Cats and later ones have B-series Cummins 5.9-litre engines with 330hp each.

WOT speed of the older boats was a claimed 26-29kt, with a cruise of 18-24kt. Later model, higher-horsepower Caribbean 35s are good for 30-plus knots at WOT and around 27 at cruise revs of 2400rpm. Economical cruise revs around 2000rpm give a respectable 20-plus knots.

The engines are bedded under the saloon floor and can be accessed through lift-up panels that provide adequate, if not cat-swinging working space. There are storage areas under the cockpit floor as well - one large enough to swallow a deflated, large rubber ducky.

Standard equipment levels on Caribbean 35s included engine seawater filters, gate valves on all through-hull fittings, two 220AH batteries, 240V power points and shore power plug, 350kg electric anchor winch, dual horns, shower exhaust fan, hot and cold pressure water to the bathroom, galley and cockpit basin, 77-litre galley fridge, LPG or 240V stove, sound-insulated saloon floor, flybridge and bow railing, and an adjustable helmsman's chair and footrest.

The options list was comprehensive and typical options seen on used boats include various levels of electronic instrumentation, radar, teak decking in the cockpit, flybridge clears, all-around curtains, leather upholstery, dripless shaft seals, hardtop hatch, eutectic fridge/freezer, Onan genset, game poles, holding tank, four-blade props, reverse-cycle air conditioning, Clarion sound, top-shelf mattresses, ice maker, trim tabs and fender baskets.

Caribbean 35s came with larger tanks than most of their competitors - 1400 litres of fuel and 450 litres of water - making them the choice of people who wanted to cover some sea miles. Several Caribbean 35s have made the journey from the southern States to the Whitsundays, for example.

 Another appealing side of the Caribbean 35 it its flexibility, making it equally at home as a plain cruiser, or as a dedicated fishing boat. When we tested the Caribbean 35 we were impressed with its layout and comfort, and its 'bulletproof' heritage. Items we weren't so impressed with were the 'squeezy' engine room and the relatively low cockpit coamings.

WHAT'S ON THE MARKET
You'll pay around $430,000 for a near-new Caribbean 35 with the typical options package. A brand-newie in similar trim is a $460,000 ask. Young, non-optioned 35's sell for around $390,000.

Well-optioned 1999 models are fetching as much as $350,000 and 1998s, around $300,000 - $320,000. Mid-90s models typically fetch $240,000 - $260,000.

Cat-powered, late-1980s and early-1990s Caribbean 35s are going for $200,000 - $230,000.

Older Caribbean 35s, including the early-model, Bertram-branded boats, have usually been repowered, typically by the current-model Cummins B-Series, with 330hp each. Well-equipped repowered Caribbeans are fetching around $190,000.

Mercruiser petrol powered Bertrams and Caribbeans dating back to the mid-1980s have an ask around $150,000.

If you're looking for a restoration project you'll find the odd run-down petrol-powered, late-1970s or early-1980 example for a little more than $100,000.

Our thanks to Nathan Ghosn of Sydney's Sylvania Marina for his help with the background information for this used boat report.