10:00am, Mon Aug 16 : Bareboat Open Day - find out about cruising the Whitsundays

The Whitsunday bare boat industry are holding an "open day" at Abel Point Marina on Monday the 16th August 2010. This Monday will be the lay-day for Meridien Marina's Airlie Beach Race Week, so the town the Abel Point Marina will alive with sailing activity. The Open Day is from 10am - 4pm and a great opportunity to view a range of spectacular bareboats sized from 30 to 48 feet. Set up as floating hotel apartments on the water, there is plenty of comfort amongst the fleet from renowned Australian and International boat manufacturers including Fontaine Pajot, Trawler, Seawind, Lightwave, Voyager, Perry,  Beneteau, Catalina, Hanse and Bavaria.

Not known to everyone, around 200 bareboats are offered for charter in the Whitsundays, making it one of most popular means of having an aquatic holiday in Australia. Bareboats are "skipper yourself", so you get together a group, food, beverages and head out to the islands for 5,7, 10 or more nights without formal captain or crew.... after getting a briefing of course!! Bareboat operators in the Whitsundays speak with you twice a day by radio to ensure that you are safe and have good plans as you move amongst the 74 islands, reefs and resorts of the Whitsundays, Great Barrier Reef.

The entertainment and adventure is endless as you and your crew have to decide amongst these activities on a daily basis:
  Sailing or cruising from place to place
  Fishing
  Snorkelling
  Diving
  Going the beach
  Preparing a banquet or snack in idealic surrounds
  Visiting island resorts
  Island walks and nature appreciation
  Observing marine wildlife, turtles, stingrays, dolphins and whales (in season)
... and doing nothing