Riviera 33 Flybridge proves to be Queen of the Ocean

Glenelg, South Australia to Hastings, Victoria: After three years of searching for their dream boat, Deirdre and Gavin Wallace finally found their home away from home in a Riviera 33 Flybridge.

Gavin retired from the Victorian Police Force in early July 2010 and a few weeks later they took delivery of their 33 in Glenelg, South Australia.  They named their Riviera Awimbawe after the song ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ by the Tokens.

“This is the perfect name for our Riv 33 as she is a lion in the ocean,” Gavin said.

The couple tested her ability on their maiden voyage from Glenelg in South Australia to their home port in Hastings, Victoria.

“It was our intention to head home to Hastings in Victoria in September (2010) and make a holiday of the trip, not withstanding life from now on was always going to be a holiday,” he said.

“After a number of sea trials and lots of knowledge gathering from locals and other boat owners, we planned our course, fuel points, checked the weather conditions and all Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) contact points on the route.

“The weather conditions along the southern end of Australia were always going to be an issue at that time of the year because there are continual lows coming across with gaps in between, so the journey was very much determined by the weather.”

Carrying an extra 100 litres of fuel in the hull, the couple made sure their Riviera was well and truly prepared for the 588 nautical mile journey from Glenelg in South Australia to Hastings in Victoria.

“We decided to leave Glenelg on September 1 because the weather was moving in again making it unsuitable for travel for the next four days.  After discussing our intention and registering our voyage with VMR Adelaide, we set off for the 54 nautical mile voyage to Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island,” Gavin said.

As expected, the bad weather moved in that afternoon but it didn’t stop the couple from walking up to the local pub for their evening meal.

“We got talking to one of the bar staff about the area, transport and local wineries, and she insisted we meet her at the hotel the following morning and she would drive us to the winery, which was about 10 kilometres away,” he said.

“The following morning, true to her word, we were driven to Sunset Winery where she introduced us to the staff.  After a wonderful lunch and beautiful wines we were picked up and returned to the hotel.  I couldn’t believe how friendly and helpful the locals were.  We cannot recommend Kangaroo Island enough.”

After two days on Kangaroo Island it was time to move on across the Great Australian Bight to Robe in South Australia.

“The weather was clear and sunny with a one metre swell and no waves to speak of.  The Riv was flying, nothing but blue sky all around and no sight of land.  It was a bit concerning at times, and while I had full confidence in the auto pilot, I did check my charts and compass a number of times to reassure myself we were heading in the right direction,” Mr Wallace said.

“True to my expectations, the auto pilot delivered us to the front door of Robe Marina where we fuelled up and secured Awimbawe in a suitable berth.  We checked the weather again and it was apparent that we were well in front of the next low but only by one day, otherwise we would need to stay in port for four days.

“We would have liked to have stayed at Robe to take in the sights and atmosphere for a day or two but we decided push on the following day to Portland in Victoria before the weather closed in on us again.

“As expected, we had a dream run.  Deirdre was in charge of the Riv, which performed at its best in navigation and performance.  We were generally running at 20 knots at 3000 rpm with the Volvo 310 Penta Diesels.  As we were making good time, we decided to take on more fuel at Port MacDonnell, which is a very old marina with all the boats at anchor.  There was no floating jetty so we had to use our tender to access the boat.”

After refuelling, they were on course to Portland Harbour and once again the auto pilot took them directly to the Harbour entrance where they checked in with the local VMR who advised them to continue on to Port Fairy, a further 35 nautical miles, as the weather was moving in again.

“Port Fairy is a secure anchorage and a very picturesque place to stay.  All the boats are moored on the wharf, which is on the river,” Mr Wallace said.

Located at the end of the Great Ocean Road, Port Fairy is a quaint little fishing village with one of the busiest fishing ports in Victoria.  The 19th century houses, Norfolk pines and old stone churches highlight the character and history of this town.

“There is a very good fish and chip shop right on the wharf, which was just next to our boat and the smell of fish and chips drifting our way from time to time encouraged us to partake.  The bad weather had moved in so we decided fish and chips would be the go for that night. 

“After three days in Port Fairy taking in the sights of the heritage town we decided to head off to Apollo Bay but the weather was not looking good.  We were aware the time frame would be tight to move on because we needed to fit in between two lows that were moving across Bass Straight that day, otherwise it would be another four days at Port Fairy.

“The decision was made to move on and we had a good run until we approached Cape Otway.

“The weather was moving in.  The swell had increased substantially and the wave height was higher than the flybridge.  Coming around the cape Awimbawe was spearing her bow into the bottom of the waves and the wave would run up the bow and over the flybridge – you couldn’t see anything but waves above your head. 

“While this was going on, we were buffered from the wave action coming from the south east, and if that wasn’t a problem, we were getting the rebound waves from the Cape.  Once that happened we were back on top of the wave and could see all around, then we did it all over again.  That went on for 20 minutes before it settled down – all we could do was hold on and ride it out.  I decided to leave Awimbawe on auto pilot at a reduced speed because I knew she would keep us on course, as I may not be able to hold on and keep on course if I took control myself.

“Once we were through the storm, we berthed at Apollo Bay Marina none the worse for wear.  I must say I was very happy with the way the Riv handled herself in these conditions.  She was indestructible and just pushed on regardless like a lion in the ocean.

“I wouldn’t say this is how you would handle these situations, but it is the way I handled it on this occasion.  I was told the Riv would handle these conditions and I can now say it will.  It is not a situation I would like to be in again, but you don’t always get the choice.

“I am pleased that it did happen as it has given us a renewed confidence in Awimbawe, her capability and our own ability to handle those situations.

“In hindsight, if I did it again, I would take Cape Otway 25 nautical miles or more from the coast rather than the 15 nautical miles we took.  The conditions were not predicted to be this bad, but as we know with boating, the weather can change and be twice as bad a predicted.”

The couple had a great time in Apollo Bay catching up with friends and exploring the sights in Victoria’s famous Great Ocean Road region.

After five days in Apollo Bay, they decided it was time to cross Central Bass Straight to Western Port Bay and on to Hastings, an 85 nautical mile voyage.

“We fuelled up at the fishing Co Op the day before and headed for Hastings at 0800 hours.  There was a half metre swell and no waves.  It was a dream run of about five hours and we were in our berth at Hastings.  A good clean up and wash down and we were straight into a glass of champagne or two to celebrate.”

After travelling 588 nautical miles and using 3,160 litres of fuel, Gavin and Deirdre were pleased to be home and felt extremely proud of their accomplishment.

“This is the first boat we have had of this size, the only other boat I have ever owned was a 12 foot tinny with an 8 hp Mariner,” he said.

Before embarking on a trip of this magnitude, Gavin completed a coxswain course in early March, 2010.

“I was in constant contact with a very good friend of mine from the Water Police in Melbourne during the trip.  I don’t believe we left anything to chance, but things don’t always go to plan,” Gavin said.

“Since this trip, we have ventured out into Bass Straight and through the heads in Port Phillip Bay a number of times.  The conditions have never been as bad as our trip around Cape Otway, but the seas have been around three to three-and-a-half metres on one occasion, which is no big deal for us now as we know what Awimbawe can handle, and more importantly, what we can handle.

“We still have fond memories of the trip and we look forward to our next journey to Tasmania in the near future.”

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