Hailing from the plains of Wyoming, Keith Garlick was in his late 20s when he set a 25-year goal to return to the magical boating area of Dana Point in California.
There’s something undeniably thrilling about a dream realised through years of unyielding effort and determination. The sense of triumph is heartfelt. A quarter of a century ago, an entrepreneurial spirit took Keith Garlick from the landlocked plains of Wyoming to the waves of the California Coast.
“I was in my late 20s, living in inland California, when I had the chance to take a 26-foot cabin cruiser down to Dana Point, a picturesque marina south of Los Angeles. I docked there and stumbled upon an old sailor’s bar that I instantly fell for. From that moment, I set a 25-year goal to return to boating in that magical place,” recounts Keith. After years of hard work, in August 2023, Keith and his wife Suzanna achieved their dream, acquiring Hunny Bunny, a lavishly appointed Riviera 50 Sports Motor Yacht. “It’s the culmination of my goal and just the beginning of an even grander adventure,” he says.
Named after his nickname for Suzanna, Hunny Bunny is the product of “meticulous research”. “I kept coming back to the one name: Riviera. Its layout, aesthetics, build quality and ocean capability were unmatched. The 50 SMY’s cruising and serious fishing capabilities captivated me. It’s the perfect blend, allowing us to tour all the islands and tackle serious fishing in the Pacific Ocean.”
Embracing their adventurous spirit, Hunny Bunny set sail for La Paz, Mexico, in February 2024. “I chose La Paz because we wanted to explore all the islands in the Sea of Cortez and have the option to cruise down to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.” This voyage held more significance than anticipated. “My dad, who is 74, joined me. We’ve shared adventures like big game hunting, and this was a continuation of our journey together,” he says.
Keith fell in love with Dana Point, a marina south of Los Angeles, in his late 20s and set a 25-year goal to return to boating there.
Keith loves fishing, with his Riviera easily handling 10-12-foot seas, catching striped marlin, dorado and yellowtail for fresh sushi at sea.
“I kept coming back to the one name: Riviera. Its layout, aesthetics, build quality and ocean capability were unmatched.” Keith Garlick
Before embarking, Keith trained with a captain in Newport, dedicating nearly 40 hours to mastering skills such as man-overboard procedures and interpreting weather, wind and waves. As a private pilot, navigating and handling instrumentation came naturally.
“On our journey down, I had two captains and another mate teaching me. We departed from Dana Point, spent a couple of nights in Ensenada to clear customs into Mexico, and encountered a hiccup at Bahia Tortuga due to unexpected cartel activity. We pressed on to Asunción instead. It was when I found myself refuelling 300-gallon containers on a trailered panga at a Mexican gas station that the scale of this adventure truly hit me. It took half a day, but it was quintessential Mexico fuelling.
“Cruising past Magdalena Bay, we decided to troll some bait and had an incredible day fishing – battling 10-12-foot seas that the Riviera handled phenomenally – catching striped marlin, dorado and yellowtail. Fresh sushi at sea is unbeatable. We finally arrived in Cabo San Lucas around 2am, greeted by the stunning city lights and cruise ships. The entire trip was just phenomenal.”
La Paz offers options to explore all the islands in the Sea of Cortez and also cruise down to Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
“I’ve been searching all my life for something that brings me peace, and I think I’ve finally found it.” Keith Garlick
This adventure has left an indelible mark on Keith. “I’ve been searching all my life for something that brings me peace, and I think I’ve finally found it. I’ve always chased the next adventure, and now I can fully immerse myself in this Riviera lifestyle, enjoying it with my wife, our three college-aged boys, a new daughter-in-law and soon, another grandson.”
With a growing family, Keith and Suzanna have placed an order for a Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht. “With delivery expected in January 2026, we have plenty of time to enjoy Hunny Bunny. I have a great feeling about this. Suzanna loves the high-end finishes in the Riviera, like the satin walnut interior. We both appreciate the quality upholstery and the boat’s solid, homey feel. Its stability and sturdiness inspire confidence. We plan on snorkelling, fishing, paddleboarding, dolphin watching – everything!
The SMY is perfect for all these activities without being limited to just fishing or cruising.
“The Riviera Sports Motor Yacht line is such a versatile platform, all the way up to 72-feet. It’s capable of everything I desire, from long-range cruising to fishing in Baja, California. And a special shoutout to our dealer Sun Country for their unwavering support. Even in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or the Sea of Cortez, they’ve been just a call away for any technical support I need. Their support has been phenomenal.”
