Fourteen boats registered for the annual Mandurah March Long Weekend “Cruise in Company,” with a few skippers joining the popular event for the first time. Organiser Captain Mike Irving planned a fun-filled weekend of activities.
Some lucky crews left the club at 9:00 am on Friday morning for the passage south along the coast in perfect conditions. By mid-afternoon, the collector jetty was full, with Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club playing host to boats from RPYC and CPBC. The jetty was filled with music, chatter, and cheer at HQ vessel, Amy and Tom’s Little One. The hot tub on the flybridge deck played cocktail club/party venue until very late. Or was that the early sunrise in your eyes, Commodore Troy?
The next morning, I overheard some jetty residents asking our ladies, “How are you feeling this morning?” They were fine, up early and off for more cocktail-making supplies to replenish stocks. Exploring the Mandurah boutiques was a fun change. Helen, Leesa, Ang, and Judy know all the best ones.
At 6:00 pm, Murphy’s pub welcomed a booking for 45 guests on three long tables. Huge serves of traditional Irish food and pints of Guinness were enjoyed by the rowdy group. The youth members proved exceptionally capable skippers on the dinghy ride home.
The organized Sunday bus cruise to wineries and breweries was very popular, with friends and fellow boaties from kindred club Royal Perth Yacht Club joining in to swell our numbers to 27, luckily enough for two buses. Karaoke mics were only on the one bus. The bus driver was informative as we traveled through to Jarrahdale onto Millbrook Wines for a tasting of their fine wines. Loaded up with cellar door sales, the bus’s next stop was King Road Brewery. Glad we had a group booking because this place was buzzing. Popular with families for huge undercover, garden-styled outdoor dining areas, great kids’ play areas, and delicious pub-style food and brews served super-fast and efficiently.
The next stop was the original winery of the Peel Tuart belt, Peel Estate. The relaxed old-world charm of this award-winning winery was a perfect change of pace. More delicious wines to taste and cellar door sales. By now, Jilly, JoJo, and Deb had warmed up the karaoke mics! Our bus tunes were handled by Ang playing selections from the official “Cruising Section Spotify Playlist.” Thanks to Angela for compiling. We did hear “Patio Lanterns” just a few times. I nearly know all the words now.
It was a merry and weary crew that fronted up for the Jetty Spit Roast BBQ and more cocktails. Little One was again the focal point with the BBQ set up alongside and the back deck the cocktail bar. Bartender Dave Ewart showed his prowess with the newly purchased Nutribullet for Fonny’s special recipe Chilli Margaritas. The chilli level varied and accompanied Fonny’s other special chilli nibbles. Only the very brave took a mouthful.
Amy welcomed a stream of curious guests aboard her and Tom’s boat, Little One, to the chorus of “Can we take a look, please?” Onboard and at the ready was hostess/guide Angela, who escorted groups over the boat’s three levels with full commentary, including a tour of the engine room complete with all the technical details.
Recognition for the effort in organizing such an awesome event came from Commodore Troy Dalglish, thanking Mike on behalf of the Cruising Section and the Club.
Labour Day Long Weekend Mandurah Cruise long-standing annual event in our Cruising Section Calendar, which is open to all club boat owners, Power and Sail. Marina berths are already booked, so you can mark the March 2024 long weekend in your diary.
