The weather gods smiled on the event and presented Narooma with a beautiful morning for spectators and participants alike.

At least 50 vessels on Sunday morning travelled around from Forsters Bay under the Narooma bridge and up the channel, watched by hundreds lining the boardwalk and Apex Park.

Organising committee president Smile Magill said the event had grown every year since its inception seven years ago.

“We were very happy this year and we just keep growing slowly and quietly,” Mr Magill said.

The event started with an informal get-together on Friday night before Saturday’s picnic regatta to Paradise point for morning tea.

The public then had a chance to meet the skippers and check the boats, as well as enjoying food, fine and atmosphere music down at the marina on Forsters Bay.

At the dinner on Saturday night at the Narooma Sport and Game Fishing Club, organisers had to secure a few extra tables next door at Taylor’s slipway boatshed because 107 people turned up.

The highlight each year is the grand parade down the channel of Wagonga Inlet and the weather cooperated perfectly a huge crowd lined the boardwalk, the bridge and the surrounding areas to cheer and wave the boats as they paraded by.

There was a brief rain shower as the boats made their way back to the marina and boat sheds, but the real downpour didn’t start until five minutes after the closing speech.

The organisers acknowledged the wonderful support they’ve had from local business sponsors, too many to list, and from Eurobodalla Tourism, and also thanked the people who kindly donated auction items to help pay running costs, especially liability insurance.

The 2012 Best Boat Award was won by Brisbane Waters’ Boyd Myers boat Allwood, while the raffle winners were from Canberra, the Southern Highlands and Narooma.

Check out the YouTube video:http://youtu.be/kgHoNMBuoug

Blue Water Dragons join the grand parade

 The Narooma Blue Water Dragons meanwhile were very keen to accept the Boats Afloat committee invitation to participate in this year’s festival.

Blue Water Dragons joined the grand parade at Forster’s Bay and kept pace with the motorised procession over to Narooma Bridge.

A few laps in front of an appreciative crowd on the Mill Bay Boardwalk and the bridge were completed before heading home.

Coach Leck Swadling put a lot of effort into preparing her crew for the day.

“I’m over the moon that our club was able to showcase itself in front of our hometown,” she said.

“I’m very grateful to the Boats Afloat committee for inviting us to join in their wonderful event. What a buzz!”

The event was a good prelude to Blue Water Dragons’ come-and-try day to be held this Saturday from 10am at Quota Park, near the Quarterdeck and Taylor’s cafes.

For more information contact Kathryn or Peter on 4476 3952 or email narooma.bwd@gmail.com

The Narooma News asked participants in this year’s Boats Afloat festival what they enjoyed about messing around with traditional boats…

 “Every old boat is different. They’ve all got different styles, whereas new boats all look the same.”

Tim Richards, Manly

 “The look of the classic lines and style. The nostalgia of it.”

Smile Magill, Narooma

 “The link with history and craftsmanship of old timber. My boat is made of kauri pine and its beautiful, it’s an original hire boat from here.”

John Glover, Narooma

 “The original carpentry and woodworking craftsmanship. The timber and motors and how they’re done up. Some boats are 60 years old and look brand new.”

Charlie Bettini, Narooma

 "I like the look of them and the nostalgia of them. They’re something old, plus I don’t like plastic.”

Malcolm McKay, Narooma