Magnificient tropical venue for mid-winter regatta

by Peter Campbell on 14 Aug 2008 What a magnificent venue for a mid-winter regatta – the sparkling tropical waters of Pioneer Bay off Airlie Beach on the Whitsunday Coast of Far North Queensland.

Not only is it warm (25 C) and sunny, a 20 knot south-easterly trade wind is whipping up the turquoise waters out on Pioneer Bay, but the facilities at Meridien Marinas Abel Point are second to none on the Australian East Coast.

Abel Point marina, Whitsunday Sailing Club and, indeed, the town of Airlie Beach are a far cry from when I was last here, many years back.

The vast marina complex now provides berthing for 500 boats, from 18m to 60m LOA, catering for local sailing and powerboats, cruising boats, cruise and charter boats, and this week for a record 109 keelboats contesting the Meridien Marinas 19th annual Airlie Beach Race Week.

Overlooking the vast marina, protected by a huge stone break wall, are the stylish buildings that house the marina management and a range of services, including cruise and charter boat operators, boat brokers and other marine services.

Since Meridien took over Abel Point two years ago the Brisbane-based private development company has given the complex an impressive facelift, including expanded landscaping and car parking, and a timber boardwalk with canter- levered awnings. Dredging is also continuing at the marina to meet the demands of deeper draft yachts that regular race or cruise into the Whitsundays.

Meridien is a diversified property development company owned by three Brisbane businessmen (and yachting enthusiasts) – Russell McCart, Richard Barratt and David Roberts. McCart is Rear Commodore of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron and is competing in the Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week in his own yacht Night Nurse.

In addition to the Meridien Marina Abel Point, the company has under way the $500 million Port of Airlie marina and apartment development, owns the Marina Mirage Port Douglas and is developing Horizon Shores on the Gold Coast which, when completed, will have 1400 berths, the largest marina in Australia, as well as a sailing club, eco resort, restaurants and other facilities.

This afternoon Abel Point is a hive of activity, many yachts flying colorful flags, skippers registering their boats, crews checking in, and many boats out sailing to test the waters of Pioneer Bay in preparation for tomorrow’s opening race, the Double Cone – Armit Island Race.

• In fact, one crewman was so anxious to go sailing on a sports boat that he dashed down to the marine, still dressed in his suit he wore up on the plane and carrying a suitcase. Then, in full view of an appreciative audience, he stripped to his undies (with the girls on the boardwalk singing a suitable strippers tune), whipped out a pair of shorts and a tropical short, and went sailing!