When Riviera owners Eric and Jeanie Robinson dropped anchor in the picturesque Horseshoe Bay, Peel Island, they felt as though they had entered another world – a world of ‘ecstasea’.

It was the first time the couple had joined the team at R Marine Jones for their Winter Weekend experience and they say it certainly won’t be the last.

A fleet of 20 Rivieras ranging in size from 33 to 56 feet, including Eric and Jeanie’s 33 Flybridge, Ecstasea II, braved the bitter cold morning for an early departure on July 4. Those who travelled in convoy with the team from R Marine Jones enjoyed fine weather and calm sea conditions for the 33 nautical mile journey from the Gold Coast.

Eric said it was the perfect weekend away.

“We regularly visit Peel Island because it is such a beautiful place to anchor but this was the first time we had visited the island with the team from R Marine Jones,” he said.

“We met some really nice people on this trip and enjoyed drinks and nibblies on the beach – everyone was relaxed and laid back, and now that we are retired we hope to attend more experiences such as this.

“Boating gives us a chance to relax, to go away for a few days, turn the phones off and simply enjoy nature. We have worked hard our whole lives and it is nice to take some time out for ourselves.”

R Marine Jones dealer principal Randall Jones said about 40 people attended this year’s Winter Weekend Experience.

“On Friday we woke to a fresh but perfect day and slowly cruised north from Coomera and into Moreton Bay where Sharm (R Marine Jones’ service technician) and I served a selection of hot and cold gourmet food that had been prepared by the Riviera Yacht Club, located next to our office at Coomera. The selection of food included fresh fish cakes, marinated chicken and vegetable skewers, garlic prawns and lovely cold finger food,” Randall said.

“The setting was perfect overlooking the boats on a glassy smooth sunny afternoon in Horseshoe Bay, Peel Island. On Saturday we were once again blessed with perfect weather – we enjoy some of our best boating weather in winter and it was great to see so many of our owners enjoying the conditions and joining us for our annual Winter Weekend.”

Riviera owners had an opportunity to explore Peel Island, which has a history dating back to the early European settlement in the 1800s when it was used as a quarantine station for new settlers. In the early 19th century and to as recently as 1959, Peel Island was a hospice for people suffering from leprosy, a chronic disease causing skin lesions and deformities. In 2007, the island became a National Park and is enjoyed every year by Riviera owners for the R Marine Jones Winter Weekend Experience.

The next Owners’ Experience on the R Marine Jones events calendar is the annual Great Sandy Straits Experience held from September 26 to October 3. To register your interest email info@rmarinejones.com.au or call +61 7 5502 9544.

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