RONALD “RON” GRAEME JENYNS

Ron Jenyns leaves a legacy forever etched in Australian boating and fishing history and folklore. In the course of a life rich in achievement, Ron helmed unforgettable ocean adventures, creating extraordinary experiences and memories, touching the lives of many.

Like many who become one with the sea, the journey began with sailing. Ron was attracted to the challenge of sail boats and mastering the variations of wind and water, from a young age. He forewent promise as a young cricketer – much to the chagrin of his Headmaster at the Church of England Grammar School – to pursue his passion.

“Go and play with your boats then, Jenyns”, Headmaster Roberts had quipped reluctantly.

As Ron says though:

His commitment – and natural talent – saw him emerge as an Australian sailing champion, with a particular fascination for the Finns.

Sailing took Ron to three Olympic games in Rome, Tokyo and Mexico, placing fourth in two Games, narrowly missing a bronze medal by a mere two seconds.

Ron Jenyns Finn Sailing — Video by Peter Jenyns (Professional Boat Care)

Ultimately, there came a realisation for Ron, that it wasn’t all about medals.

“I felt that I had done sailing (competition) and that it was more important to just enjoy what you do”.

The family had moved into motorboats, with Ron’s father Herbert Jenyns commissioning a beautiful timber cruiser built by Watts & Wright in 1957, the (original) South Pacific – now named the Mid-Pacific — that would later come to national attention

The South Pacific made headlines nationwide and abroad, when it was stolen from the Jenyns mooring at Bulimba by two fugitive encyclopaedia salesmen (con-men) and a ten year old boy; re-painted, re-named (Tiki III) and sailed to New Zealand, via Lord Howe island. Along the way, the thieves ran out of fuel and food and there was even an attempted murder between the clueless villains. An epic tale in its own right.

(This was also of note in the Jenyns family, because Ron had raced to join father Herb in the salvage of the boat in Auckland harbour, while the birth of daughter Sally was pending!)

After South Pacific, came the acquisition of a very special vessel that would change the course of Ron’s life, and that of the whole Jenyns family – the Beryl May.   The Beryl May was a 72 foot Norman R. Wright built launch based on a very efficient and versatile Elridge McInnes (U.S. naval architects) “pilot-house” design. She immediately captured the imagination of Ron and Herb, who could see the potential of the vessel as a mothership to game fishing in the burgeoning Great Barrier Reef fishery.

Father and son inspected her at the Pittwater in 1974, and promptly purchased; sailing her north, undertaking a major re-fit, and renaming her the South Pacific II — the name for which she became famous.

“I started to enjoy fishing. I felt I had done the sailing and so I decided to focus on the fishing.”

As with his sailing career, Ron was more than just involved in fishing – emerging as one of Australia’s leading anglers. He secured world records in spanish mackerel and sharks among other species. He landed some of the biggest fish ever recorded in Moreton Bay, while becoming a pioneer charting and fishing the Great Barrier Reef.

Outside of his deep-sea escapades on the high seas, Ron found a land based occupation in the most unlikely of places… Ladies undergarments! Son Peter recalls popping open his father’s briefcase to have it explode with bras and other intimates. Like most things he attempted, Ron made a success of it.

SP Charters

Much like the transition from sailing to fishing, Ron reached a point where he decided that he had caught enough fish, and that he would like to see and help others enjoy his passion. The result was the birth of a charter business, that would become a gateway for hundreds of others to have the adventure of a lifetime over the ensuing years.

At the centre of the action, was Ron’s beloved South Pacific II. Ron took ownership and the helm, from Herb — and captain and boat became an iconic duo. The vessel and charter venture also shaped and guided the careers and lives of Ron’s children. Daughter Sally spent the better part of a decade working with Ron, refining her seafood cooking craft, and going on to become a famous chef.

Ron’s sons were also never far from the action. Peter often skippered the boat home from the reef towing the smaller game boat from his teenage years, informing his own expertise as a skipper and fisherman, and consultant for “all things boat”.

Ron was in many ways, the ultimate host, and as Peter remarks “was made for the job” with the extraordinary anecdotes and tales he could regale guests with, alongside his great knowledge and experience. SP Charters offered the whole package and hundreds were the beneficiaries.

“Captain Ron” was the quintessential skipper and even looked the part. The family recalls a TV commercial that Castlemaine Perkins were putting together for XXXX, utilising the South Pacific II.  One of the art directors spotted Ron and asked who he was.  When they responded he was the skipper, they swiftly asked whether he would take part and play the role, as “he looked like the perfect captain!”.

After 40 years, the time eventually came for South Pacific II to change hands. Another family with ocean and fishing history, the Sigantos — who also had their own experience with SP2 — became the new custodians.  An outcome that delighted Ron.

The sale was not the end of the road for Ron and Sp2 however.

Owner Rob Siganto received a call from Ron’s wife, Jan two weeks after the purchase to gently enquire as to when he was intending to collect her.  Rob asked whether they would mind if the boat stayed berthed at their Norman Park home a bit longer. As Rob says,

“She ended up staying there 7 years!..”

Ron continued to maintain the boat, and joined the Sigantos on more memorable journeys, passing on his wisdom and providing mentorship, which Rob Siganto describes as “invaluable and an incredible experience.”

***

With an estimated 42 trips to the Barrier Reef and enough sea miles to circumnavigate the globe a few times, Ron Jenyns will be forever remembered with great fondness, love and respect by those that had the pleasure of sharing in his life’s adventure.

By Nick Cornish

Video | Tristan Davies & Nick Cornish with special thanks to Peter Jenyns, Sally Jenyns, Rob Siganto and the Jenyns family.

Coastwatch Hall of Fame

Ron has been a close friend to all at Coastwatch, past and present.

Ron joins our Coastwatch “Hall of Fame” – a small tribute to his impact on the Coastwatch team, and on Australian fishing, sailing, boating and coastal life.

Daughter Sally is an original Coastwatch star. The galley on South Pacific II often played host to Sally’s weekly Coastwatch cooking segments — as can be seen in the video below, filmed on the back deck.

Also from the Coastwatch Vault, are two other videos from a fishing charter on South Pacific II in the 1990s, as well as a short film on the inaugural Moreton Bay Classic from 2022, that introduced the “Ron Jenyns Cup” – produced by Coastwatch for Australia’s Classic Boats.