The 2016 Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous has wrapped up with participants giving the event a five-star rating for fun.
The social regatta was held in September with a fleet of sail and power catamarans enjoying a week of spectacular cruising through the Whitsunday islands and a jam-packed itinerary filled with entertainment, dining, games and prizes.
The Rendezvous launched with an exhilarating sail from Airlie Beach to Cape Gloucester where the contingent assembled on the beach for idyllic sunset drinks and nibbles followed by a delicious dinner and entertainment that lasted well into the night.
Cape Gloucester Beach Resort played host to the group on the second day of the regatta, with the ‘W-themed’ costume competition producing some outstanding entries. Witches, Wiggles, warriors, wizards, Whoopi Goldberg, whoopie cushions and even Wonder Woman were wined, dined and awarded some amazing prizes including Cape Gloucester accommodation and a Musto jacket for the best-dressed efforts.
Light drizzle prevented the beach games from being staged at next port of call, the beautiful Woodwark Bay, but everyone embraced the chance to indulge in pre-dinner drinks and the day’s presentations on the Multihull Solutions mothership then recharge their batteries with a quiet evening.
A glorious rainbow woke the fleet the next morning and the fleet enjoyed a beam reach to the next day’s anchorage of Nara Inlet. After meeting on the beach, the group climbed to Ngaro Cultural Site to marvel at the cave paintings made by the local Aboriginal people over 9,000 years ago. That evening, participants David & Jan generously hosted a superb tropical party and trivia evening for the entire contingent aboard their new Lucia 40 One Day More.
The famous Prawn & Punch party and Figurehead competition at Whitehaven Beach were the highlights of Day Five, and all the entrants were fired up with some outstanding efforts. The crew of Double Magic paraded their spectacular bikinis and were rewarded with an exclusive two-day guided tour of the Barossa by Brockenchack Wines. The competitive spirits continued with a swag of games on Whitehaven Beach followed by the eagerly anticipated Prawn & Punch party.
The fleet returned to Hamilton Island for the final evening’s presentation dinner on the stunning Keel Deck of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club. Adorned in 1920’s garb, the entrants enjoyed a beautiful dining with hours of dancing to entertainment provided by The Swine Club, all set against the majestic backdrop of the Whitsunday islands.
The overall winners of the 2016 regatta were the crew of Fantastique, a Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46, who were awarded an ocean of prizes, including an impressive stainless steel trophy by Mojo Creations, a free lift, waterblast and hard stand courtesy of The Boat Works, plus 40 litres of antifoul courtesy from Jotun & Marine Trade Supplies at The Boat Works.
The crew of the Catana 431 Double Magic were declared Overall Runners-Up for their amazing enthusiasm and efforts throughout the regatta.
The 2016 Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous confirmed its status as Australia’s best multihull social regatta and was generously supported by a host of sponsors, including Abell Point Marina, Hamilton Island, Cape Gloucester Eco Resort, Sorrento’s Restaurant & Bar, The Boat Works, Mojo Creations, Minuteman Press Maroochydore, Musto, Marine Trade Supplies, Ultra Marine, Jotun, Brockenchack Wines, Australian Multihull World and Cruising Helmsman magazines.
Further information on the Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous can be obtained by contacting Multihull Solutions on 1300 855 338 (within Australia), 0508 MULTIS (within New Zealand), +66 8189 41530 (within Asia), emailing info@multihullsolutions.com.au or visiting the website at www.multihullsolutions.com.au
