MAKING WAVES

By InvestSMART · 21 Sep 2013

By InvestSMART ·
21 Sep 2013

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Akuna Bay festival The annual Akuna Bay Boating & Leisure Festival makes a spectacular return to picturesque Coal and Candle Creek next Friday to Sunday (September 27-29). The free family event will offer a range of new and used boats for sale, including Maritimo, Riviera and Prestige, as well as classic Halvorsens. Luxury cars and motorbikes will also be available. There will be free talks on boating in the Upper Deck Room from 11am-noon on Saturday and Sunday, while the kids get to play free on the jumping castle, that is when they're not ogling the supercharged Lotus Exige S, Lexus LX570 and Harley-Davidson. Meanwhile, the grub in the Driftwood Cafe is worth the visit alone. If you prefer formal dining, head upstairs to Cielo for a buffet lunch from noon-3pm on Saturday and Sunday. See dalboramarinas.com.au.

Gaffers Day out The biennial Sydney Harbour Gaffers Day Regatta, one of Australia's premier sailing events for classic wooden yachts built before 1970, sets sail on Sunday, October 13. Hosted for the past 41 years by the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, this year's regatta has attracted a fleet of historic 18-foot skiffs, metre boats, offshore yachts and gaff-riggers, some more than 100 years old. Spectators can secure a seat on the Rosman ferry, Proclaim — itself built in 1939 — departing Old Cremorne Wharf with food and refreshments on board and live commentary by Sydney sailing legend Bill Gale. Places are limited. Book via Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, phone 9953 1433; email office@sasc.com.au.

Faceboat friends Malcolm Turnbull, the patron of Sailors with disABILITIES, launched a fund-raising campaign called Faceboat last weekend. Through faceboat.org.au, you can donate money and a mugshot and have it splashed across the hull of the 52-foot purpose-built ocean racer Kayle when it races to Hobart on Boxing Day. More than 3800 snapshots can be placed on Kayle, to be unveiled on December 3, the International Day of People with Disability. See sailorswithdisabilities.com.

VanDutch 55 Sydney will soon be home to a new VanDutch 55, a Dutch-made motorboat described as the epitome of avant-garde yacht design and craftsmanship. Designed by Frank Mulder, the sleek VanDutch is powered by twin 900hp Volvo Penta engines for a top speed in excess of 40 knots. The boat will arrive next month to a marina at The Spit. See vandutchaustralia.com.au.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What is the Akuna Bay Boating & Leisure Festival and when does it take place?

The Akuna Bay Boating & Leisure Festival is a free family boating event held at Coal and Candle Creek. The festival runs from Friday to Sunday (September 27–29) and features new and used boats for sale, luxury cars and motorbikes, free boating talks, kids’ entertainment and on-site dining. More details are available at dalboramarinas.com.au.

Can I buy new and used boats at the Akuna Bay festival and which brands are on show?

Yes — the festival offers a range of new and used boats for sale, including Maritimo, Riviera and Prestige models alongside classic Halvorsens. The display also includes luxury cars and motorbikes for visitors to view.

What family-friendly features and food options are available at the Akuna Bay event?

The event offers free kids’ activities such as a jumping castle, casual dining at the Driftwood Cafe and a formal buffet lunch upstairs at Cielo from noon–3pm on Saturday and Sunday. There are also free boating talks in the Upper Deck Room from 11am–noon on both weekend days.

What is the Sydney Harbour Gaffers Day Regatta and who is it for?

The biennial Sydney Harbour Gaffers Day Regatta, hosted by the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, is one of Australia’s premier events for classic wooden yachts built before 1970. The regatta (this year on Sunday, October 13) features historic 18-foot skiffs, metre boats, offshore yachts and gaff-riggers, some more than 100 years old.

How can I secure a spectator seat for the Gaffers Day race and is commentary provided?

Spectators can book limited seats on the Rosman ferry Proclaim (built in 1939), which departs Old Cremorne Wharf and offers food, refreshments and live commentary by Sydney sailing commentator Bill Gale. Bookings are through the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club — email office@sasc.com.au (or contact the club directly for phone bookings).

What is the Faceboat fundraiser and how does it support Sailors with disABILITIES?

Faceboat is a fundraising campaign launched by Malcolm Turnbull, patron of Sailors with disABILITIES. Through faceboat.org.au you can donate money and submit a mugshot to be printed on the hull of the 52-foot ocean racer Kayle, which will race to Hobart on Boxing Day. More than 3,800 snapshots can be placed on Kayle for an unveiling on December 3, the International Day of People with Disability. See sailorswithdisabilities.com for details.

What makes the VanDutch 55 notable and when will it arrive in Sydney?

The VanDutch 55 is a Dutch-made motorboat designed by Frank Mulder, described as avant‑garde in yacht design and craftsmanship. It’s powered by twin 900hp Volvo Penta engines and can reach speeds in excess of 40 knots. The boat is due to arrive next month at a marina on The Spit. More information is at vandutchaustralia.com.au.

Which notable cars and bikes will be on display at the Akuna Bay festival?

Visitors to the Akuna Bay festival can expect to see standout vehicles such as a supercharged Lotus Exige S, a Lexus LX570 and Harley‑Davidson motorcycles among the luxury cars and motorbikes on display.