My inbox at Soundings is one of my favorite places to drop anchor. It’s where readers stop by to share their on-the-water stories, ask questions and tell us about the boats they love. I’m always grateful when people take a few minutes to write — those messages often reveal memorable moments, practical lessons and the kinds of personal details that bring a boat to life on the page. Over the years, many readers have sent photos and specs, and I’m continually impressed by the variety of boats that find their way into our readers’ care.
This week I heard from Bob Howie, who wrote to tell me about the Caribiana Sea Skiff he stores in a rack-and-stack boat barn in Texas when it’s not hitched to his Ford F-250 and being trailered to places like the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Howie bought the 23-foot boat in 2013 after many years aboard larger sailboats. He and his wife, Jackie, decided to downsize and move to power for more efficient, flexible time on the water — and they wanted something they could trailer easily for weekend runs and coastal trips.
The Caribiana Sea Skiff is a great example of a trailerable boat that blends practical design with distinctive style. Fashioned after the hard-working Caribbean panga — a traditional, utilitarian craft used extensively for fishing and hauling in tropical regions — the Caribiana adapts that simple, seaworthy hull to a cruising format that still presents well at the dock. Howie calls these “niche boats”: they don’t have mass-market name recognition, but they offer a very specific combination of utility, looks and personal appeal. In fact, Howie says they get multiple calls each year from people asking if they’ll sell, which says a lot about how much curiosity a unique design can spark.
One of the appealing aspects of the rig is the practical storage solution. Rack-and-stack boat barns free owners from long launch lines and winter shrink-wrap, and they’re a space-efficient way to keep a trailerable boat protected between outings. For people who tow their boats, a reliable truck such as Howie’s Ford F-250 makes it straightforward to load up gear, hitch up and head to new waters — whether that’s a favorite fishing spot or a coastal run into the Gulf.
What struck me in Bob’s note was how common his story is: experienced boaters seeking simpler, more accessible experiences on the water. After years of sailing larger boats, some owners look for power options that reduce crew requirements, simplify maintenance and allow for quicker getaways. Trailerable powerboats open options for exploration, letting owners chase seasonal weather and access different regions without committing to a single home port.
I’ve been a subscriber to Soundings for years and I appreciate the magazine’s grass-roots approach — real boats, real owners, and honest stories about why people choose what they do. That’s the kind of content that resonates with readers who are shopping for a new boat, wondering if downsizing might fit their lifestyle, or simply enjoying the experiences that others share. Bob and Jackie’s decision to move from big sailboats to a nimble Caribiana Sea Skiff is a clear example of a choice driven by lifestyle and practicality rather than fashion or trend.
The full story about the Howies and their Caribiana is now on our website, where you can read more about how they found the boat, how they use it and what makes it a good fit for their needs. I encourage you to check it out and to send me a note about what you’re driving on the water this summer — whether it’s a classic skiff, a trailerable cruiser, a center console or something even more unusual. I have a feeling a lot of you are behind the wheel of something pretty sweet.
Jeanne Craig, [email protected]
This article was originally published in the July 2023 issue.