New production development photos of the highly anticipated Caribbean C40 have been released, offering the most detailed insight yet into the rebirth of one of Australia’s most revered boating marques. More than a new model, the C40 represents a defining milestone in the resurgence of Caribbean guided by the enduring vision of Australian marine industry pioneer Bill Barry-Cotter.
Since its founding in Melbourne in 1958, Caribbean has earned an uncompromising reputation for building robust, Bluewater-capable vessels designed for Australia’s demanding conditions. For generations of owners, Caribbean has stood for strength, practicality, and confidence offshore boats built to be used, trusted, and passed on.
With over 50,000 boats produced, Caribbean’s legacy is a part of the fabric of Australian boating. Its signature deep-V hulls became synonymous with exceptional seakeeping, stability, and longevity, forming the backbone of countless family adventures, offshore fishing campaigns, and long-range cruising journeys.
In March 2025, Maritimo acquired the iconic Caribbean brand, uniting two historic Australian boatbuilders whose values align at every level craftsmanship, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to Australian manufacturing. The acquisition created a powerful platform to respectfully carry Caribbean forward, preserving its DNA while elevating it with contemporary design, engineering, and production capability.
Few models better represent the Caribbean ethos than the original Caribbean 40 Flybridge. Renowned for its spacious cockpit, generous flybridge and proven offshore manners, it became one of the brand’s most popular and enduring designs valued for its versatility, economical performance, and ease of ownership.
Following a comprehensive review of the Caribbean range, Maritimo’s design and engineering teams have distilled the defining characteristics that Caribbean owners value most strength, function, balance and seakeeping and reimagined them in a contemporary form. The result is a vessel that remains unmistakably Caribbean, while benefiting from the advanced systems, precision manufacturing and refinement made possible by Maritimo’s world-class facilities.
Reflecting on the brand’s revival, Bill Barry-Cotter spoke of the journey that has shaped both Caribbean and his own career from apprentice timber boatbuilder to pioneer of fibreglass construction and creator of some of Australia’s most influential marine brands.
“Caribbean is a cherished name in Australian boating, built on a history of vessels that owners genuinely trust,” Barry-Cotter said.
“We are proud to present the next phase of that legacy one that respects where the brand has come from while delivering the performance, engineering and reliability today’s owners expect.”
He added that watching the C40 progress from concept to reality has been particularly rewarding.
“Every curve, structure and engineering decision has been made with intent to honour Caribbean’s heritage while moving it forward with modern thinking and proven capability.”
Barry-Cotter attributes the momentum behind the Caribbean program to a lifetime defined by invention, persistence and a deep belief in Australian manufacturing values that are clearly embedded in the C40’s development.
The global launch of the Caribbean C40 is scheduled for the 2026 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), where anticipation continues to build across the Caribbean and Maritimo teams, long-standing owners, and the broader boating community.
Maritimo Marketing Manager Simon Stewart said the response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive.
“This is a significant moment for the Caribbean brand. The enthusiasm surrounding the C40 has been extraordinary, and SCIBS 2026 provides the perfect platform to unveil a model that represents both a proud heritage and a confident new chapter.”
The latest images reveal a vessel shaped by precision, passion and decades of on-water experience clear evidence that the rebirth of Caribbean is well underway. As the global unveiling approaches, the Caribbean C40 stands poised to make a powerful statement when it debuts at SCIBS 2026, 21–24 May.
