First time Experience is a WA success story

It was the adventure of a lifetime recently for about 200 Perth boating enthusiasts, many of whom had never skippered their pleasure cruisers beyond Rottnest Island. The R Marine Geographe Bay Experience was a four-day, 200 nautical mile round trip convoy from Fremantle south to Geographe Bay.

The flotilla of 40 luxury cruisers departed line astern from Fremantle Harbour and, according to the Experience organiser, R Marine Perth Dealer principal Brendon Grieve, the Experience was a "stunning success".

"Riviera is Australia's most successful luxury boat builder and they've been running these events on the east coast for several years. But this is the first time it's ever been attempted in Western Australia.

"We're already beginning to organise next year's event."

From Fremantle, the convoy headed to Mandurah's Ocean Marina. And that's where the festivities began, with freshly-shucked oysters washed down with chilled champagne, amid much talk of all things boating.

Though relaxation and celebrations were high on the agenda for the weekend cruise, the Geographe Bay Experience wasn't purely aimed at pleasure. Many boat owners appreciate the opportunity to broaden their horizons and similar events are hugely popular around Australia.

Boating in such an organised convoy as the Experience is a fantastic way for boat owners to get used to their vessels, cruise within the comfort and safety of a fleet, and meet other like-minded people.

Kris and Paul Giesen, aboard Riviera 36 Flybridge Cheque-Mate, said, "Aside from all the great events, doing the run in a convoy with fantastic support really took the pressure off and allowed us to enjoy the ride. As new boaties, we found that particularly helpful."

"As a family event, it worked wonders. They all wanted to participate, so much so, that I ended up driving back so my daughter-in-law could experience the fun of the return journey."

As the 40 luxury pleasure vessels cruised off the beautiful white sandy beaches past Port Bouvard toward Bunbury, spirits were high. Participants were shown safe entries to harbours, and introductions were made to many of WA's most beautiful but rarely visited boating areas.

On Saturday night everyone donned their finest for the celebrations. Even the boats were decked out in an array of twinkling Christmas lights.

To everyone's delight, it wasn't just the boats that were sparkling. Entertaining the hundreds of guests was tribute band ABBR, and some of the cruise participants even dressed accordingly in sequinned shirts and matching wigs.

An impromptu auction of personal items of clothing from various boat owners raised more than $1,500 for Princess Margaret Hospital, with the highest bidders getting their ‘gear' back amidst gales of laughter.

On Sunday morning the flotilla headed off for a tour across Geographe Bay and Eagle Bay. They stopped at Quindalup, one of the safest anchorages in the region, for some beach antics.

It was a family affair as some of Perth's elite professionals pitted their teams against each other for an all-out dinghy soccer, canoe conga, and water pistol championship.

As the Water Rat said to the Mole in Wind in the Willows: "There is nothing − absolute nothing − half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

Contact your nearest R Marine dealer for news of upcoming events.