Breaking away from the routine of everyday life is made all the better aboard a Riviera. But even a weekend away on a luxury motor yacht requires a certain amount of organising, which is where Randall Jones and his team step in, leaving Riviera owners to maximise their idyllic days away.
One of the first to sign up for Riviera representative R Marine Jones’ Gold Coast Getaway late last year were Phil and Marina aboard their Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht Anesi. Originally from Sydney and fairly new to the Gold Coast, they seized the opportunity to discover a new anchorage and catch up with friends.
“We just couldn’t miss this trip,” says Phil. “It’s awesome the way Randall and his crew look out for everybody and provide support. With a Riviera from Randall, you not only get a boat but a lifestyle and a family, with all the camaraderie that this comes with.”
“We were on the Tangalooma trip last winter and, through that, we met a couple that live a street or two away from us and now we’re good friends with them. So, it was great to go on another trip with them and also meet new people who all have the same interest in boating. We’ve met some beautiful friends on these trips.”
For Marina, the prospect of exploring new anchorages was particularly appealing.
“We’ve been living on the Gold Coast for only two years and we don’t know all these places that people talk about,” says Marina. “It was our first time at Slipping Sands; we didn’t even know a place like that existed. It’s so beautiful!”
Having set off from Sovereign Islands on the Friday at 9am, the fleet of 16 Riviera motor yachts cruised north the short distance to the Slipping Sands anchorage in Canaipa Passage, Stradbroke Island. With storm action on the horizon, Randall and his team strategically anchored each Riviera in preparation for the forecast wind and tide. In the end, the storms skirted past the island and the crews gathered on the beach for sundowners.
"Everyone looks out for each other and we're all there for the same reason: to enjoy as much of our lives as we can, because we're all on borrowed time!"
Phil from Anesi
On his 53 Flybridge Destiny, Grant and his two daughters made the most of the family-friendly environment.
“We thought we’d get some fairly rough weather, but it bypassed us and we ended up having a nice evening on the beach with some good storm watching in the distance.”
The stretch of golden sand beaches and dunes offer a natural fun park. While the adults enjoyed drinks and nibbles, the kids had a ball running up and sliding down the dunes.
“My two girls, 7 and 13 years old, used their boogie boards to slide down the dunes. The kids on these trips always have a good time. My eldest has been boating since she was three weeks old and the youngest has been boating all her life too, but this was their first multi-day trip and they were excited. We also met another couple on a 40-foot Riviera, Beach Shack; they had kids a similar age so that worked out well.”
Saturday afternoon saw the return of another Sharm Brown seafood and oyster extravaganza. This is an R Marine Jones-hosted lunch when Randall’s right-hand man transforms into barbecue oyster chef extraordinaire.
“I’m not even a seafood eater, but I had my first oysters that weekend,” admits Grant, surprising himself. “Everyone was raving about what a good job Sharm did and I was convinced; they were nice! I think I was a little bit spoiled with the quality and freshness.”
Back aboard Anesi, Marina and Phil marvel at how a short ride from home in Sanctuary Cove they could feel a million miles away and still with all the creature comforts of home.
“With all the luxuries of the 5400, it’s like being at home on the boat. And it was so picturesque there, with the dunes and this gorgeous beach appearing at low tide. It was calm and relaxing, peaceful, not a high rise in sight. Coming from Sydney, it was just a different experience. We might not have gone if it had just been ourselves; with Randall it was so nice, no hustle, no fuss, just amazing,” says Marina. “With Randall, everybody’s safety and comfort are very high on the priority list. He’s constantly in communication via radio or SMS messages with weather reports and all that.”
Building great friendships on the water in beautiful and carefree environments is what life is about, adds Phil. “There are no arguments, no hassles, everyone looks out for each other and we’re all there for the same reason: to enjoy as much of our lives as we can, because we’re all on borrowed time!”
