Rapunzel and Prince Charming -
a Riviera dream
Peter and Lynda celebrate hand-over of their new Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Rapunzel.
Lynda Montgomery had already experienced sailing in Australia and many overseas destinations when she met her Prince Charming, Peter Montgomery, in 2016. He was quick to notice her flowing auburn hair and gave her the nickname Rapunzel.
While Peter had no boating experience when they met, Lynda had held a boating licence for more than 20 years and she suggested that the new couple should share the passion of being on the water around Queensland’s Gold Coast where they now live. Together they watched boating lifestyle videos online every night for 18 months and attended three Sanctuary Cove Boat Shows.
Covid intervened in their research so it wasn’t until late 2021 before they could turn ideas and plans into action.
“We had been recommended to Riviera by friends,” says Lynda. “Peter and I were impressed by the quality and sturdiness of the yachts and by the fact they are built on the Gold Coast. It meant that anything we needed was available quickly.”
Lynda in captain's cap contemplating another great day on the water
“We had been recommended to Riviera by friends.”
Lynda Montgomery
After a skiing trip to Japan at the beginning of 2022, they returned to the Gold Coast to take delivery of a Riviera 4400 Sport Yacht. Lynda organised a surprise Valentine’s dinner on board to celebrate the beginning of their new adventure in boating.
Their Riviera was inevitably named ‘Rapunzel’ and the tender dubbed ‘Prince Charming’.
Glistening waters reflect ‘Rapunzel’ at anchor during a trip to Kooringal with the R Marine Jones team.
The Sport Yacht was a world away from Lynda’s sailing experience with its sophisticated electronics and Volvo Penta IPS, so they took their time to learn all about the yacht and its systems, thereby gaining confidence before a short cruise together along the Coomera River and then further afield exploring the Gold Coast Broadwater.
“Our favourite anchorage near the Broadwater is Jumpinpin,” says Lynda.
They increased their experience and pleasure in boating by joining organised cruises with other Riviera owners led by the team at Coomera Riviera dealership R Marine Jones.
“Our three-year-old granddaughter has enjoyed boating with us since she was six months old. She recently caught her first fish and she loves boating just as much as ice cream!”
Lynda Montgomery
Top left: Peter and Lynda with their excited three-year-old granddaughter. Top right: Celebrating winning a nautical dress-up theme on an R Marine Jones trip. Above: Peter and Lynda’s 4600 Sport Yacht Rapunzel.
As their boating horizons expanded and they wanted to include family in their new lifestyle, the couple soon decided they should move up to a new Riviera 4600 Sport Yacht Platinum.
“Our new 4600 Sport Yacht offers additional space on board and we selected the three-stateroom layout,” says Lynda. “The major attraction was the full-beam master stateroom.”
“With Peter as Captain presiding over the ceremony, our daughter and son-in-law renewed their wedding vows on board while we were anchored near Wavebreak Island on the Broadwater. Our three-year-old granddaughter has enjoyed boating with us since she was six months old. She recently caught her first fish and she loves boating just as much as ice cream!
“Living on the Gold Coast meant we could watch the build of our new Riviera from beginning to end,” says Lynda. “That reinforced for us the care and professionalism shown by the team of craftspeople at Riviera.”
“We believe strongly that couples should learn boating together and should both have at least a basic knowledge of their yacht’s systems and operation.”
Lynda Montgomery
Left: Lynda at the helm of Rapunzel. “Couples should both have a basic knowledge of their yacht’s systems.” Right: Lynda and Peter preparing to celebrate the renewal of wedding vows for their daughter and son-in-law with Peter, as captain, officiating.
The couple continue their boating education each year at the Riviera Festival of Boating, held during the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, attending most of the workshops. They both hold VHF radio licences.
“We go to all the classes during the festival and extra courses that are provided during the year by R Marine Jones,” says Lynda. “We believe strongly that couples should learn boating together and should both have at least a basic knowledge of their yacht’s systems and operation.
“This was brought home to us when we were out on an R Marine Jones cruising weekend. It was a very windy Sunday, and another boat owner had the unfortunate accident of a hatch blowing shut onto his big toe. Peter and I are medically trained so we were able to assess the injury and advise an immediate trip back to the mainland. The R Marine Jones team organised for the safe passage of their yacht and crew and ambulance transport to hospital.
“Boating is quite different from driving a car on the road. If something goes wrong out on the water, there is not necessarily help close at hand. Someone other than the owner must know how to step in.
“It is great that the R Marine Jones team runs regular boat training lessons especially for women. And they are always on the end of the phone if we need them.”
“We would love to take four months to cruise the Whitsundays and explore that region…Our Riviera is not just a motor yacht; it is a lifestyle.”
Lynda Montgomery
Peter and Lynda contemplate retirement and months of cruising aboard ‘Rapunzel’.
While Lynda and Peter are committed to their medical careers, they are also looking forward to retirement and the opportunity for extended cruises aboard ‘Rapunzel’.
“We would love to take four months to cruise to the Whitsundays and explore that region,” says Lynda. “For the moment, we can only manage a week at a time. But every day on board ‘Rapunzel’ is a joy. We have her berthed at Sanctuary Cove and have met so many wonderful people there. Our Riviera is not just a motor yacht; it is a lifestyle. Sometimes when we are really time poor, we simply go down to the yacht just to spend a night together on board at the marina. And dream of that long, leisurely cruise to the tropics.”
“Sometimes when we are really time poor, we simply go down to the yacht just to spend a night together on board at the marina. And dream of that long, leisurely cruise to the tropics.”
Lynda Montgomery
