Rivieras cruise to Sydney and beyond

Riviera's national network of R Marine Dealers offers a diverse and inspiring range of cruises in company, usually dubbed Riviera Experiences, to help build confidence and skills in the company of like-minded owners, family and friends, and experienced marine professionals.

For customers of Queensland-based R Marine Crawley, the camaraderie and sheer enjoyment of bluewater passagemaking keeps them coming back.

HAWKESBURY EXPERIENCE
In early March, four Rivieras departed Queensland’s Gold Coast Seaway in convoy for an 400-nautical mile journey south to Broken Bay as part of the annual R Marine Crawley Hawkesbury Experience. They were then joined by a further seven Rivs throughout the next 10 days.

After an overnight stop in Coffs Harbour, the group cruised to Broken Bay and, over the next week, explored the natural beauty and amenities of Pittwater including Palm Beach and Newport, then Refuge Bay and Cottage Point in Cowan Creek, Sunny Corner at the mouth of Berowra Waters, and some other neat anchorages along the way.

"The clear blue skies, light winds and beautiful blue water were certainly highlights of the trip," says R Marine Crawley dealer principal Ben Crawley.

"We had a great cross-section of Rivieras — both new and classic models — for the raft-ups and tender explorations, and we enjoyed amazing meals at Peat’s Bite, Cottage Point and Jonah’s Terrace Balcony at Whale Beach and on the passage home by candlelight at Tom’s Chinese Restaurant in Yamba."

OWNER'S VIEW
Dave Pollack, owner of the Riviera 5000 Sport Yacht Hokus Pokus, said the Experience passages provided an opportunity to see the East Australian coastline from a different perspective.

"It was absolutely fantastic. There really are some beautiful places that are completely different from the water than compared to when you drive down the coast... and it’s very special to be able to share that experience with people from all walks of life, who share your same passion for boating and Riviera," he said.

"We go on as many of the Experience trips as we can with R Marine Crawley and for the Hawkesbury Experience we were blessed with the weather — it was sensational."

WHITSUNDAYS IN WINTER
Crawley and his dedicated RMC team, who were awarded the Individual and Riviera Dealer Sales Excellence Awards for Australia and New Zealand in 2015, stage wide-ranging Experience cruising events including the popular winter migration to the Whitsundays.

"Our aim with the Lady Musgrave and Whitsunday Experience is to help people — whether they are new to boating or experienced seafarers — cruise north to enjoy the warmer weather in winter with the security and comfort of knowing help is always at hand if they need it," says Crawley.

"Some owners return with us to the Gold Coast while others make the extended passage north, also in company of fellow owners and members of the R Marine Crawley team, for the next leg to Hamilton Island and the secluded anchorages of the magnificent Whitsundays."

NEW ABELL POINT BASE
R Marine Crawley has just opened a new service division at Abell Point Marina, Airlie Beach, to support Riviera owners who choose to berth their yachts in the Whitsundays during the winter months.

"Many of our clients fly in from around Australia and the world to spend quality time on their yachts in these beautiful, pristine waters when the southern states start to cool down," said Crawley.

"We’ll have experienced skipper Matt Brown on-hand and on-call for everything from warranty, factory parts and repairs to routine maintenance and detailing, as well as a variety of cruising and social events throughout the year."

The grand opening of the new R Marine Crawley business and base at Abell Point Marina, Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, will include some big celebrations when the doors open on June 1. More at R Marine Crawley.