Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous steals line honours for Australia’s best social regatta

P1010459The fourth annual Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous wrapped up on 13 September and was resolutely declared Australia’s best social regatta by its participants.

Fifteen multihulls and more than 40 participants took over the Whitsunday Islands with a week of idyllic social cruising, fun racing and superb schedule of social events that left the entrants begging to stay for longer.

The Rendezvous was blessed with perfect spring weather and solid breezes that filled the sails and delivered some exciting racing for the more competitive entrants.

The Rendezvous kicked off with a very successful Welcome Launch at Sorrento’s Restaurant at Abell Point, where each boat and crew was given a swag of gifts from the event’s sponsors before the official briefing began. The participants mingled over canapes and drinks, and their competitive spirits were fired up as each boat outdid each other with their best jokes, creating a sensational atmosphere to start the week.

Day 2:

The second day saw the fleet sail past the Multihull Solutions’ mothership to officially launch the event, toward world-renowned Whitehaven Beach. As the sun melted over the horizon, the crews shared drinks and nibbles on the silica sand while vying to win the Marine Trivia Championships.

Day 3:

P1010513Day three was heralded by a healthy start including a yoga session on Whitehaven Beach followed by a bushwalk to picturesque Chance Bay. Once all were back on deck, the fleet enjoyed steady 15-20 knot winds that propelled them through Solway Pass to Hamilton Island in anticipation of the evening’s Spanish Fiesta on the Yacht Club’s Keel Deck. Decked in their finest sombreros, the group enjoyed a sensational evening fuelled by tapas, paella and cocktails while the five-piece band The Swine Club had everyone dancing till late. In recognition of their superior costumes and tango techniques, Simon and Christine from the Fountaine Pajot Bahia 46 Fantastique were awarded a Hamilton Island accommodation voucher.

Day 4:

P1010765A stronger breeze greeted the fleet the next morning and served to blow off the effects of the night before by the time the contingent reached their day’s destination, Cid Harbour. With the friendly rivalry now firmly entrenched, the crews busied themselves for the Rendezvous’ famous Figurehead Competition, and the fleet did not disappoint! The entrants staged an hilarious spectacle with their figureheads and costumes that included oversized parrots, transformed fenders and fluorescent lycra suits that set a high benchmark for future events. For his incredible efforts, Keith from the Super Shockwave 13m catamaran Wild Spirit won a voucher from The Wine Shack.

The figurehead competition set the perfect tone for the Rendezvous’ famous Prawn and Punch party that was celebrated with beach cricket and delectable seafood. Happily exhausted, the crews eventually returned to their multihulls to recharge their batteries for the night.

Day 5:

On the Day Five lay day, the fleet choose to sail north to either Stonhaven or Double Bay for a well-earned rest. However, the Stonehaven contingent didn’t stay still for long and was soon engaged in a memorable evening of boat hopping, cocktails on Fantastique and finally a rousing karaoke session on the Crowther 15.1 Two Up Together.

Day 6:

The final day seemed to arrive far too soon, and the fleet was determined to make it unforgettable. After an exhilarating sail to Cape Gloucester Eco Resort, the participants launched into the Hawaiian-themed Closing Night with a gusto. The glorious sunset was witnessed with drinks and nibbles before the group sat down for a delicious dinner and recap of the week’s events. The evening’s presentations commenced with a tribute to the late Eckhard (Ecky) Kechel, a good friend to many of the participants, who passed away in 2014.

P1020185Prizes:

An impressive array of prizes was on offer for the best performers of the Rendezvous, and the lucky recipients included the crew of the Fountaine Pajot Cumberland 47 LR Mercury for “Biggest Fish Caught”, the Maxim 380 San Souci crew for “Best Cocktails”, the Powercat Salty crew for “Best Bikini”, and Keith and Lynda on the Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41 Evolution TooUp for “Best Dressed Hawaiians”. The highly coveted Overall Winner award of the 2015 Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous was presented to the crew of Two Up Together, whose prize included an incredible maintenance package including free lift, hardstand and waterblast from the team at The Boat Works, an antifoul service from Jotun Pains & Marine Trade Supplies, plus a stunning stainless steel trophy by Mojo Creations. The Runners-up prize of accommodation at Cape Gloucester Eco Resort was awarded to Jo & Drew on Lickity Split Take Two. Reluctant farewells were finally exchanged after the fleet danced the night away to the live band and spectacle of the moon on the bay.

Thank you to our sponsors!

The 2015 Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous was arguably the best in the event’s history and was generously supported by a host of sponsors including,

Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous Image Gallery:

2015 Multihull Solutions Whitsunday Rendezvous Feedback

Hi Rachel,

What a wonderful job you did last week. Thank you so much. I appreciate just how much work goes into this. Had a ball! Pity Possmm was so busy but next year I will prioritise better.

Thanks again!
Phil Connolly (Owner of 2 multihulls – little powercat Salty & Lagoon Possmm)

* * *

Thanks for a great week Rachel. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Tony and Vicki (Lattitudes – Belize 43 owners)

* * *

Dear Rachel and Katie,

Just a special thank you from both of us for a fantastic week of fun and enjoyable memories. We had a blast! It was very nice meeting you guys. Anna’s nibbles were just amazing and we really loved the Salmon dip.

If you are ever down Southport way, feel free to pop in for a coffee or a coldie and have a look around the workshop to see what we do.

Kind Regards,
Tony & Fiona Donnelly (Alley Cat crew)

* * *

Dear Mark and Rachel,

We are writing to thank you, the organisers of Whitsunday Rendezvous 2015, for the most fabulously organised fun event we have attended. We were recommended to attend by both Drew and Joanne Wooler from Lickety Split 2 and hugh and Leigh Hodgkinson from Blue Spirit who have been on the event before themselves.

From the very beginning the organisation was excellent and nothing was too hard for the girls to arrange for us. Each day and event was so well catered for and run so smoothly and we know that behind each and every day the efforts of Rachel, Katie, Anna and Norto made the whole event fantastic and we really can’t say enough about how they looked after everyone and did their very best to sure everyone felt welcomed and were enjoying themselves all the time.

We will recommend this event to others and even may do Sail Indonesia next year if we don’t sell The boat.

Thanks again to the fantastic team!
Justin and Roxey Grunwald – Two Up Together

More information:

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.

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