Inside Gold Coast’s most unusual, award-winning boat

It may be one of the the most unusual boats on the Gold Coast but it’s definitely got one of the most beautiful stories to tell. Step aboard the remarkable timber cruiser christened ‘Rosie Boat’ by her owners.

Rowan Fletcher, 11 month old Sunny Fletcher and Tamara Briffa. Rosie Boat Charters is a family owned charter business dedicated to providing memorable experiences on the beautiful Broadwater of the Gold Coast. Thursday June 6, 2024. Picture, John Gass

For Rowan Fletcher and Tam Briffa, their family-owned charter business, Rosie Boat Charters, is something they are truly passionate about.

After meeting at SeaWorld and working internationally on super yachts for years, they purchased and refit Rosie Boat – a 1960s timber cruiser – in Sydney before sailing to the Gold Coast to begin chartering in late 2022.

The pair were recently awarded a 2024 Best of Queensland Experience Award and are one of only 11 Gold Coast businesses to have received 100 out of 100 for customer reviews.

“We were rapt,” Ms Briffa said.

The family are currently renovating Rosie Boat to knock out a raised hatch area on the main deck “to make more room for dancing and partying.”

“We have also added clear rain curtain protectors for our back deck to make it completely water and wind proof,” Ms Briffa said.

Rosie Boat. Picture: Supplied

“It’s so much fun, it’s such a passion project for us, it feels so good waking up and doing something that’s yours every day, and, you know, Rosie is like a second home,” Ms Briffa said.

“It’s for everybody, she’s got lots of character and charm, she’s got a soul, Rosie, everyone that jumps on going like, wow, she’s just so cute.”

Ms Briffa said they offer many services for guests on the 30-capacity boat, including an optional Dan Murphy’s pick-up service.

“Rosie’s a BYO boat, so you can bring your own drinks and food if you like. You can literally just hire the boat and bring everything you would like and it’s your venue for the day,” she said.

“We offer a service that’s a free Dan Murphy’s pick-up service so if people wanted to do a big order for alcohol we’re happy to pick it up for them, have it ready on the boat for when they arrive.

“If [guests] want something a little bit more high end, we can bring on a private chef and he can do a couple of different course meals on the barbecue, or we can do canape service.”

Rowan and Tam Briffa aboard Rosie Boat. Picture: Supplied

Ms Briffa said her experience working on super yachts has prepared her well for owning her own charter business.

“Rowan and I have worked on boats before. I’ve worked on super yachts with pretty high end service so I do have an understanding of what service is.

“Even if I’m not using that kind of service, I still like to offer a nice service, we’re laid back, we like to have a chat, talk to people, be very personable.”

The couple have recently had a daughter and Ms Briffa said she loves Rosie Boat just as much as they do.

“It’s just basically a small family business, just Rowan and I at the moment, and we’ve just had little Sunny girl, and she loves the boat too,” she said.