Kimberley Odyssey: Book release

After completing their amazing cruising odyssey in 2015, a 9000 mile return journey around the Australian coast in their Princess 72 Motor Yacht named R&R, Rob and Rose Ungar have released a book.

Produced in association with the Boutique Boat Company, the local Princess Yachts' agents, Kimberley Odyssey is an impressive 138-page coffee-table book replete with splendid colour plates that go some way in capturing the magnificence of our coastline and the joy of exploring it by comfortable British-built motorcruiser.

The wild Kimberley Region was what really inspired Rob and Rose to make the 9000-mile return journey from their home port, the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC). Funds raised for the sale of their book will be used to invest in new and improved facilities for the SYC Juniors and perhaps inspire another journey around our coast one day.

The impressive voyage took 10 months to complete, but was said to be more than 10 years in the making. A huge number of moving pieces came together to make it a success.

A reconnaissance trip in 2012 on The True North, a 50m expedition vessel, kicked off the planning process and Rob and Rose spent the next 12 months working closely with their skipper of 15 years to set the plan in motion.

The footloose couple made the decision to set aside enough time to enjoy each unique part of the Australian Coast equally and allow flexibility for significant weather patterns and breakdowns, culminating in more than six weeks exploring The Kimberley alone.

They reached out to various people and associations as a ‘sounding board’ and built in allowances for distances to be covered, availability of fuel, provisioning, access for guests and typical coastal weather patterns.

Previously, Rob and Rose had voyaged in their many previous boats as far north as Cairns, south to Tasmania and east to Port Lincoln in South Australia, but the prospect of taking R&R to the remote Kimberley posed an entirely different challenge.

Some modifications were completed as part of the build process when the vessel was commissioned. Additional batteries and the inverter capacity was increased to allow for extended time without shore power or a generator; the flybridge was enclosed and air-conditioned; an emergency freshwater pump was installed; and additional refrigeration and under floor storage were added.

On the Gold Coast, supplementary fuel tanks and a larger aluminum tender were delivered, additional shade for the bow and stern, a night vision camera and a new anchor chain were installed, among other things.

The engines, a pair of Caterpillar C32 V12 4 stroke diesels, were given a full service, an extended warranty was granted and a full repertoire of common engine, generator and desalinator spares were purchased.

The entire voyage was truly the trip of a lifetime and R&R performed beautifully, Rob says, allowing everyone aboard to experience so much of the Australian coastline in comfort and safety.

The coffee table book, a record of their adventure, details the entire voyage with the main focus and photography centring on the incredible Kimberley region.

Kimberley Odyssey is on sale through SYC for $40.00 per copy (two for $75, three for $100) and all proceeds will contribute to Sandringham Yacht Club’s junior sailing facilities. More at Sandringham Yacht Club.