Shellharbour Weekend  November 10 – 12

On Friday, November 10th, the R Marine Sydney crew, along with a fleet of 14 Riviera vessels, departed from Sydney Harbour and South Sydney waters for a weekend trip to Shellharbour. Renowned for its coastal beauty, the new marina is a central hub for recreational boating and maritime activities. It offers state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional services for boaters.

This trip has been on our radar for some time; we have been looking forward to experiencing the newly established marina. Unfortunately, weather conditions have disrupted our past attempts.

Our two-and-a-half-hour morning cruise went quickly, with ideal weather, marine conditions and warm temperatures. We were even lucky enough to spot some dolphins along the way.

Guests of our weekend event included the owners of a stunning Riviera 72 Sports Motor Yacht. Before moving to Shellharbour a few years ago, the owners used to keep their vessel docked at our wharf. In 2016, they began working on the Shellharbour project through their family business, Coastwide Civil. Click here to learn more about the project and their business.
Having them offer expert guidance and guide us to the best boating spots was a privilege.

Shellharbour’s organised and professional marina staff made the transition to our berthing location effortless. The facilities and location were beyond our expectations. Everything we needed was within walking distance. The management had even arranged to extend the ‘Sculptures by the Sea’ exhibit, featured at the marina.

Clients spent the afternoon exploring the local area. Some walked along the break wall, taking in the stunning views, while others swam at the beach.

Before our dinner reservation at 6:30 pm, several clients joined us on our dealership boat ‘ Q’, a magnificent 58 Flybridge, for pre-dinner drinks. Dinner was served at the Waterfront Tavern on the Wharf, and the marina management officially welcomed us. The food, drink, and conversation were excellent, and everyone agreed it had been a most enjoyable start to the weekend.

A brisk Southerly blew through during the night, making conditions a little more exciting than the previous day. It was decided not to proceed with the planned trip to Jervis Bay, and instead,  a number of boats ventured just south of the marina to ‘The Farm’ at Killalea. Recommended by our local clients on the 72SMY, it proved to be perfectly protected in the conditions, and we enjoyed a day of swimming, fishing, snorkelling, and generally relaxing in the sunshine.

Upon return to the marina, the ‘Q’ bar re-opened for afternoon drinks before dinner at the “Georgia Rose’ overlooking the marina. Once again, the catering was excellent, and everyone had an enjoyable evening. Late-night drinks on board a number of the boats were enjoyed by some of the clients determined to make the most of the remainder of the weekend.

We decided to start our Sunday morning leisurely, waiting for the weather to improve. Casting off at 10.30 sharp, we enjoyed a smooth ride home with light winds and a following swell. A number of our clients were on their first decent trip offshore. The prevailing conditions provided the perfect introduction to encourage them to become more adventurous.

The fleet thinned as we headed north, clients returning to their home ports in Port Hacking and Botany Bay before arriving at the Harbour. Our furthest-travelled still had the run north to Lake Macquarie to reach home but revelled in the conditions. The majority of the boats entered the Harbour shortly after 1 pm to a typically busy Sunday afternoon, a vast number of boats out enjoying the conditions and atmosphere of Sydney Harbour on a sunny day in the run up to Christmas.

The weekend was a great success, the perfect blend of exploring new cruising grounds in pleasant conditions with superb facilities and all in the company of excited owners keen to make new friends and enjoy new experiences together.