Marina Profile- Royal Perth Yacht Club

by Fiona Harper on 21 Nov 2009 Royal Perth Yacht Club, in the riverside suburb of Crawley is home to Western Australia’s largest active sailing fleet as well as its most prestigious yacht club.

Formed in 1841 by a core group of keen sailors, just ten years later, across the other side of the world, similarly focused sailors began a regatta that would become significant to the RPYC almost 150 years later.

In 1983 RPYC members audaciously snatched America’s Cup victory from the New York Yacht Club, a stunning achievement that set in motion a chain of events that would see the city of Fremantle totally revamped and much of Australia suddenly taking an interest in sailing.

Facing the astonishing prospect of hosting the America’s Cup in Western Australia in 1987, the Club built its Fremantle Annexe as Regatta Headquarters adjacent to the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. Members today still benefit, with 100 berths as well as a Club lounge with bar and catering facilities.

With the opening of this year’s sailing season, celebrations were combined with the completion of the clubs long awaited Swan River marina development. Replacing the 1950’s built fixed pile and deck marina that had deteriorated to such an extent that daylight could be seen through the middle of the piles, proved to be a popular decision amongst the members.

The club long ago recognised the need to provide first class marina facilities that would accommodate a diverse mix of small and large berths for both power and sailing vessels. Perth based firm, Engineered Water Systems managed the redevelopment of the marina, which now comprises 380 floating berths.

Berth holders occupying the larger pens (22m to 28m) have the added bonus of Perth City skyline views across the Swan River, creating an appealing setting for sundowners without even leaving the dock. A floating breakwater, comprised of 320m of floating concrete wave attenuators, protects the marina from boating traffic wash and fetch whipped up by the often ferocious sea breeze, the ‘Fremantle Doctor’. Naturally all berths are serviced with power and water, but it’s evident that the designers have gone a step further to ensure this marina stands out, with some very clever innovations.

Members stipulated they wanted 4m wide docks in order to ease the burden that boat owners have wrestled with for years: the loading and unloading of all the gear required for a day or week onboard. By introducing electric golf carts, maintenance staff can move around the docks efficiently and members can keep their own carts at the club for loading guests and gear onboard. But even more importantly for those gourmands onboard, the Club can now offer a catering service to all vessels, delivering piping hot dinners, with all the trimmings and waiter service, onboard members vessels.


Other recent improvements at the Club include new floating pontoons configured for disabled access, used in the Clubs highly respected Sailability program. There’s also a new floating fuel dock, even a floating race start box, as well as a gatehouse to provide security to all docks.

A Club that encourages active social and sporting participation across a broad spectrum, various memberships are offered to suit individuals and family groups. Visitors from reciprocal clubs are bestowed with Honorary membership for up to two weeks, while other visitors should be accompanied by a Club member.

Events:
World Match Racing Championships
State Championships for Thunderbird, Endeavour 24 and S80 classes.

Fact File
Royal Perth Yacht Club
Australia II Drive Crawley WA 6009
Ph 08 9389 1555
Email club@rpyc.com.au
Web www.rpyc.com.au

Wet Berths :380
Dry Berths: 20
Max berth length: 28m
Haul out: Yes
Fuel: Yes
LPG No
Monitor VHF: Ch73
Restaurant: Yes (Wardroom open for lunch 7 days, dinner Tuesday & Friday)
Bar: Yes
Closest Chandlery: Sail Power Marine, Nedlands
Coastguard: Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue
Wifi Internet: Yes

For comprehensive information about all Australian marinas, go to Fiona Harper's excellent website, www.marinasguide.com.au!Australian_Marinas_Guide