R Marine Perth delivered a standout start to the summer season as 77 Riviera luxury motor yachts and 600 guests came together for their annual Christmas raft-up. Owners settled easily into the horseshoe formation in Matilda Bay, creating a festive occasion that has become one of Western Australia’s most anticipated boating traditions.
Aboard their new Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht, Kirali, and attending their first raft-up, Justin and Candice Nuich said the day was “absolutely amazing!”
“A huge credit goes to the R Marine Perth team,” says Justin. Over his first three months at the helm of Kirali, he has had plenty of training and time on the water. Even so, he approached the day with a little apprehension. “So many Rivieras together like that represent a significant investment, and people care a lot for their yachts, but the team made it so safe, so easy and stress-free.”
Their place in the raft-up only added to the atmosphere. “We were roughly in the middle, with a flybridge hosting the band on one side, so that was really cool. We had a group of our closest friends on board and had such a nice day socialising.”
The raft-up had been on Justin’s bucket list for some time. “I had a buddy go last year and I couldn’t make it. This year I managed to get the day off work, and it was everything I thought it was going to be cracked up to be. One hundred per cent we’ll go again.”
Looking out at the gleaming horseshoe of luxury motor yachts, Justin admits to feeling humbled. “Surrounded by so many beautiful yachts, I never thought this would be possible in my lifetime. To be able to share it with family and friends too… it is pretty humbling. It is overwhelming, to be honest. I never saw this as a possibility until recently, and now having a Riviera, it really is a dream come true. Growing up we were never around boats, so to be in this position, with the memories it creates for your family, the new social circles, it’s humbling.”
Owning a Riviera often changes a family’s lifestyle. “I think our ability to have overnight experiences now changes things. It’s super comfortable. Even after the raft-up, we pottered downriver, found a public mooring and stayed the night. And the kids absolutely love it. They can have a few friends each over, always swimming and snorkelling off the back. It offers such a great lifestyle.”
The annual event is known for heralding in the Western Australian boating summer season.
For fellow owners Adam and Debbie Burvill, joining the day in their first Riviera, a 43 Platinum Flybridge, Tatana, the day delivered the same sense of ease and excitement. Although it was Adam’s first raft-up as an owner, the couple had been before and had an idea of what to expect.
“The whole atmosphere was amazing, there was always something going on, music, people coming and going,” says Adam. “Hopping from boat to boat, meeting new people, and the musical entertainment was fantastic, especially the saxophonist.”
Adam was struck by the openness among owners. “People are really accommodating and happy to show you around, offer you a drink, sit and have a yarn. I hadn’t seen some of these models before, and it’s a good way of seeing all the different Rivs without having to go to a boat show. You’re dealing with the owners, too, so you’re getting an honest opinion. It’s really good if you’re in the market to upgrade, to see the step-up to bigger or newer models and what Riviera has done over the years.
“I think they’re fantastic, well-appointed, well-finished. Mine was ahead of its time. One of the things that drew me to buying a Riviera was the finishings… they’re always modern for their time.”
For Adam, boating is as much about lifestyle as it is about the vessel itself. “I grew up on boats my whole life, albeit a lot smaller, and I wanted the same for my kids. The fact that we can is great; it keeps us outdoors and active. Family and friends love it,” he laughs.
As the sun tracked across Matilda Bay, the full sweep of the raft-up struck him. “Sitting back on your Riviera and looking at all the others… seeing like-minded people coming together for one day of the year is very special.”
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