New Caribbean boats at the Melbourne Boating and Lifestyle Show

Caribbean 24 Open and 47 Flybridge debut at MIBLS 2009

St Kilda Boat Sales, now in its seventh year at St Kilda Marina, is eagerly anticipating the 2009 Melbourne International Boat & Lifestyle Show to showcase two models in the Caribbean range.

Built in Victoria, Caribbean is a well-known brand in Australia and has been exported globally for the past 50 years, standing alongside the best names in luxury cruisers. This year, the 24 Open (Runabout) is making its Australian debut with boat build No.1 on display at the show.

St Kilda Boat Sales dealer principal Darren Finkelstein said the new model was a natural progression from the successful 24 Flybridge.

“The 24 Open offers the same handling and quality, but over a single level, which is ideal for people who want a portable, easy-to-store boat,” Mr Finkelstein said.

“This boat is an elegant, classy, traditional cruiser that is also a road towable vessel behind the family 4×4, without the need for permits.”

A truly versatile boat, the 24 Open suits the trailerable market as well as those people who want to keep their boat at a marina. According to Finkelstein, the vessel “is just as appealing to dad and his mates for a fishing trip as for weekend outings with the whole clan”.

Powered by a MerCruiser 260hp 5.0L MPI sterndrive DTS, the 24 Open is available as a practically configured day-boat, with face-to-face dinette to comfortably seat four adults, an underseat insulated ice box, helm seating and galley units incorporating spirit stove, pantry cupboards and sink. A full-flush marine toilet is also located within the spacious V-Berth cabin. Alternatively, the boat can be customised by St Kilda Boat Sales’ experienced marine trade professionals.

Also on show this year is the Caribbean 47 Flybridge Cruiser – presented for the first time in Melbourne. Priced at $1.1m on-water, fully-optioned, this is the flagship model of the Caribbean big boat fleet.

Packed with the gamut of quality fittings and appliances expected from a luxurious bluewater cruiser, it boasts a fully-integrated designer interior, a roomy, well-equipped galley with commercial grade refrigeration and a dishwasher, quality leather interior, as well as integrated and zoned air-conditioning.

Built for entertaining, it has a bathroom and ensuite, three ultra spacious cabins with sleeping accommodation for up to nine adults and is licensed for 21 people over an enormous 4.88m (16ft) beam. Combined with a huge, fully-enclosed cockpit and twin CAT electronic turbo diesel power plants, 240V genset and entertainment unit (Foxtel and Playstation for the whole family), the Caribbean 47 Flybridge is ideal as the ‘holiday home away from home’ or for serious offshore sportfishing.

Further information:
Boating Industry Association of Victoria – (03) 8696 5600 or visit: www.mibls.com.au