Resolution Adventures – a seachange on Flinders Island, Bass Strait

Cruising with six guests on a 50m foot catamaran around the spectacular Furneaux Group in Bass Strait is certainly a seachange for Chris Fenner and Judy Clark. They would love to sail north, particularly along the Kimberley coast – the charter operation is step one!

Chris, a qualified skipper and professional fisherman of 30 years experience also has a strong marketing background. Judy, up until a year ago, had a career in Community Health Management in the Victorian fishing port and holiday township of Lakes Entrance, where Chris was running a restaurant while fitting out Resolution.

Resolution is a big boat sleeping 8 – 6 passengers. Each twin share cabin has its own head, at Judy’s insistence! It is very comfortable cruising; you can kayak, exploring the sheltered waters amongst the amazing rock formations, snorkel, fish, go exploring onshore, or just relax. There are plenty of DVDs and books – the history of the area is fascinating.

Judy enjoys cooking and on my five day cruise we ate wonderfully well – freshly caught abalone, calamari and local fish as well as crayfish and wallaby, washed down with excellent wines.

At the end of one year’s operation Resolution Adventures has good forward bookings. How have Chris and Judy achieved this on remote Flinders Island?
1)word of mouth;
2)the internet – www.resolution.org.au;
3)an initial ‘famil’ for travel journos, held at Docklands.
4)a follow-up effort to get agents and visiting journos ‘down on the boat’ for either day or overnight famils, which Judy says is good value;
5)a classy brochure – feedback from my friends has been ‘Wow – looks expensive!’ though on hearing the price think it’s very reasonable.

How is the seachange going? They both seem remarkably happy. Chris is doing what he loves and really puts himself out to entertain his guests. Judy is very relaxed in the galley and chatting with her guests. She is doing a masters via the internet and is now secretary for Tourism Flinders Island. The big question – will the expected arrival of the first grandchild cause some ripples?

FOR MORE INFO:
www.resolution.org.au E: jacara@ozemail.com.au Mobile: 0408 516 113