Southwind vs. Martinique

There were three Martinique versions:
- Early 70's based on SN hull.
- Early 80's based on BFN hull. (Think family cruiser version of BFN).
- Late 80's ('86-'89) B/R, closed, and cuddy versions, which replaced the SW Open Bow. The SW Open Bow had a production run from the early 70's to '85. The SW was also the basis for the BFN. The hull was designed as the "Smooth Ride" series, or something like that, but, it turned out to make a nice barefoot wake.

I once owned an '87 Martinique B/R. It was a cool, and very functional boat, but, in my opinion, it didn't have classic CC styling. It could easily pass as a Celebrity, Regal, or other I/O family truckster of the day. I also have owned an '83 Dresden Blue SW Open Bow. I wish I would have not sold that boat.   

The SW 18 and SW 20 closed bow production ran from the late 60's/early 70's until '79. I currently own a '76 SW 18. Cool little big boat with the capability to handle rough waters pretty easily, and it still has the classic CC styling.

I'm sure the walking/talking Correct Craft Encyclopedia(TRBenj) will pipe up soon and tell us what the difference is but it looks to me the Martinique is just the "Eddie Bauer" edition of the Southwind.

Isn't the Dominique the "Eddie Bauer" version of the Barefoot Nautique?

I had forgotten about the early-mid 80's closed bow Southwind nameplate. Even though the specs are slightly different, I think that is the same hull as the Martinique of the same years. It certainly isn't based on the classic SW hull we all know. I don't know what other hull it could be in the CC lineup.

All of those deep V hulls were based in design off the orginal Southwind hull. There might be modifications along the way, but, still the same basic design. Before the Southwind name showed up in the late 60's/early 70's, there was the Freeport. I believe it was introduced in '67 or '68. That was the first boat that had that classic deep V hull design. In the CC brochures from '68, it described the Freeport as part of CC's "Soft Ride" series, which also included the San Juan.

I guess CC figured out that some people wanted something other than a SN to keep from having their kidneys pounded on a nice Saturday or Sunday afternoon outing with the family.

As I stated above, the direct drive bfn hull (78-90) came from the SW20. The hull was cut down in height (reducing the amount of flare) which resulted in a shorter overall length. The running surface is essentially unchanged. The transom of the bfn retained character lines where the SW had harder "notches" but they are smoothed out. The deep vee hull is what gives the smooth ride in rough water, and it was discovered to produce a soft, flat barefoot table as well. The additional height and flare of the SW surely produces a dryer ride, but that was probably not a concern for a tournament barefoot boat, as they opted to shed a few lbs and put a SN-style deck on instead.

The '80 mart and subsequently the sw a few years later, reused the hull as it had been modified for the bfn.

Thanks for all the info guys! Tim, I looked pretty seriously at a Dominique a few years ago, they are a BFN with passenger swivel bucket instead of the BFN's rear facing bench, that's about it for differences as far as I know.

So is it safe to say that from a choppy water ride perspective, a '70's SW, '80's SW or BFN or Marty or Dominique, would all ride pretty much the same? I realize the added freeboard of the earlier SW would help with a dry ride.

I have a project in the back of my mind (which knowing me means it may take 5 years to get done) where I'd like to have a boat with a better ride in chop. I'm debating whether to go with one of the "big hulls", San Juan or Cuddy, or go with one of the smaller v-hulls.

Very nice boat! I think I'd be looking for a hull in need of an engine. I'm thinking about putting a Peninsular 6.5 diesel in a CC.

Yes, the Dominique (87-88) took the place of the mart/sw in the lineup when the mart graduated to the larger hull. It's a bfn with a swivel bucket and different graphics, and while both engines were offered in both boats, it more commonly had the 351 where the bfn was more commonly ordered with the 454.

I haven't ridden in a late 80's mart, SJ or Fish/Cuddy but the hulls I've studied look to have a lot in common with the smaller vee's. I imagine they all ride great- I've taken the bfn through some serious chop and it's a very smooth ride. I'd love to have a larger vee for salt use at some point.

TRBenj wrote: I'd love to have a larger vee for salt use at some point.

That's what I'm thinking too. The 20' hull has appeal for big lake use, day on the water with a bunch of people, still OK for some watersports. But, the 23-24' hull would be good for salt use, could still use it on bigger lakes.

Plus, the diesel with closed loop cooling makes a lot more sense in the bigger hull.