About The RMBOA River Ramble
2024 RMBOA River Ramble Highlights video
Who can participate?
The RMBOA River Ramble is open to all financial members of the River Murray Boat Owners Association (RMBOA) and guests on their vessel. It normally has a range of skippers spanning novices to Master mariners.
All vessels that comply with boating regulations and can reliably cover each leg of the Ramble are welcome. The vessels usually range from small open tinnies to large commercial houseboats or even paddlewheelers.
The River Ramble is a family oriented cruise and crews can range in age from under 8 to over 80. Children are always welcome on the understanding that their parents/guardians are responsible for their safety and behaviour at all times.
Pets are also normally welcome on the Ramble, provided that they are always under effective control and do not disrupt the enjoyment of others. Further restrictions apply if the Ramble moors in a location with restrictions on domestic animals.
Where & When
The RMBOA River Ramble is conducted along various parts of the River in South Australia, although they normally start from a location within easy reach of Adelaide. It is traditionally conducted close to the Easter Holiday every second year, the next Ramble is in March/April 2025.
Cost
Because the RMBOA River Ramble is a club-only function, the fees cover the cost of planning and conducting the Ramble. Some competitions and events may request donations for a selected charity, but this is normally limited to a gold coin donation. The Ramble is a family-budget oriented event.
A RMBOA River Ramble vessel fee covers the skipper, additional crew are welcome, but a fee is charged for each extra person to cover their use of the facilities provided.
Each skipper must be a current member of the Association. Where the Ramble is over-subscribed, members at the time the Ramble was formally announced will receive preference over those that join with their application.
Vessel Insurance
The Association's Insurance only covers land based activities. For this reason, the RMBOA has to insist on sighting evidence that Ramble vessels have at least Third Party Insurance Cover of at least $10m for all RMBOA events. This requirement is not negotiable.
Third Party Insurance Cover provides cover for your legal liability to pay compensation for death or bodily injury to other people or damage to their property arising from your ownership or operation of your boat.
Assistance 
While each Rambler is responsible for their own vessel, the more experienced members assist where they can. Experienced members also provide advice about local river conditions and offer assistance to inexperienced members when they go through Locks or when selecting mooring sites.
Ramble Facilities
The RMBOA River Ramble ensures toilet facilities are available at each overnight mooring location for the main part of the Ramble. This allows vessels without on-board facilities to participate.
Entertainment 
At selected locations, the RMBOA arranges entertainment for Ramblers. This entertainment can either be on the riverbank or in a nearby venue. Besides professional entertainers (and talented members), the RMBOA arranges other events such as fancy dress evenings.
Competitions
The Ramble also runs competitions such as "Spot the Mascot" where Ramblers have to identify which boat "Spot" travels in each day, a photography competition, a Carp fishing competition and "Cryptic Clues" where ramblers have to identify locations along the river based on cryptic clues.
Optional Catered Meals
The RMBOA arranges for optional meals usually provided by local service clubs and hotels at some town moorings. This provides Ramblers with the opportunity to have a relaxed evening meal without having to cook and clean up. These optional meals also inject money into the local community.
Memorabilia 
The RMBOA produces a range of memorabilia for the Ramble such as commemorative medallions, Ramble Flags and (optional) Ramble clothing.
Ramble Information
Ramblers receive a range of documentation including the Daily Running Sheets and local tourist information.
The Daily Running Sheets are specific to each Ramble and outline the events for each day of the Ramble, recommended departure times, estimated travelling times and local river conditions. The running sheets are updated at the afternoon briefings each day.