PNW Rendezvous 2026 - BC Side

[hjohnson]

Hi All,

It’s getting to that time of year again, when we start the process of preparing for the next EY Rendezvous. Sadly, we missed the 2025 on Sagres due to our never ending repower, but I’m sure that Brass Dragon did an excellent job of hosting. Given that no other Canadian boats made it down to take the spot, we thought we would volunteer again to organize the 2026 Rendezvous.

Martin and I chatted about this briefly while doing some winter work on Sagres, and our thoughts are leaning towards going back to Genoa Bay (if they have room) or once again going to Maple Bay, again depending on availability.

I look forward to seeing everyone again this coming summer, and now that we have “Big Red” nestled in our engine bay, have something more to talk about!

Best Regards,

Hans

 

[Frank Langer]

Hi All,

It’s getting to that time of year again, when we start the process of preparing for the next EY Rendezvous. Sadly, we missed the 2025 on Sagres due to our never ending repower, but I’m sure that Brass Dragon did an excellent job of hosting. Given that no other Canadian boats made it down to take the spot, we thought we would volunteer again to organize the 2026 Rendezvous.

Martin and I chatted about this briefly while doing some winter work on Sagres, and our thoughts are leaning towards going back to Genoa Bay (if they have room) or once again going to Maple Bay, again depending on availability.

I look forward to seeing everyone again this coming summer, and now that we have “Big Red” nestled in our engine bay, have something more to talk about!

Best Regards,

Hans

Hans,
Another possible option, though we haven't been there since their extensive renovation, is the Port Browning marina resort. It has various amenities and is not too far from the customs check-in at Bedwell Poet's Cove marina. Both Genoa Bay and especially Maple Bay, though quaint, are getting quite old and a bit run down. It may be worth a phone call to check. Just a thought....
Frank

 

[hjohnson]

Hans,
Another possible option, though we haven't been there since their extensive renovation, is the Port Browning marina resort. It has various amenities and is not too far from the customs check-in at Bedwell Poet's Cove marina. Both Genoa Bay and especially Maple Bay, though quaint, are getting quite old and a bit run down. It may be worth a phone call to check. Just a thought....
Frank

I’ll add it to the list.

 

[Kevin C]

Depending on the date and our cruising schedule, any of the above three options would be fine with us. I enjoyed Maple Bay, even though it IS a bit run down. Still beautiful and quaint.

Kevin
S/V Gamine E-41

 

[nukey99]

Do you allow a former Ericson owner to attend in his trawler??

 

[Loren Beach]

Do you allow a former Ericson owner to attend in his trawler??

But of course! Once a Viking......

 

[Norwester]

Last year's gathering was such a joy to sail to and attend with friends...and return to Seattle with new acquaintances, that we'll certainly consider joining again. We'll try to stay in the loop. I'd like to learn more about hooking Canadian salmon, cause I hear trolling for sockeye in the salt is more than possible. This one's from late Aug with the boarder of B.C. in site.

 

[mjknowle]

OK, everyone...It's Date and Place Decision Time! We've heard from several local marinas and it looks like the July 11 weekend is completely booked out everywhere we've called into (not surprising) but the July 18 or July 24 weekends are generally available.

Here are the options--please vote on which one(s) will work for you. I'm hoping to get this booked by the end of next week (January 9) so we can let the folks at Pacific Yachting and otherwise know, so please get your vote in by Jan 6 if you can.

1. July 18 - Genoa Bay
2. July 18 - Saltspring Marina (@ Ganges)
3. July 18 - Poet's Cove
4. July 24 - Maple Bay
5. July 24 - Genoa Bay
6. July 24 - Poet's Cove
7. July 24 - Saltspring Marina (@ Ganges)

-=Martin

 

[Kevin C]

I would prefer the July 18th weekend, and could make any of the three locations work. I haven't been to Saltspring Marina in years, I always seem to sail right by going somewhere further north, so with all else being equal that would be nice for us.

 

[Frank Langer]

Hi,
I have sailed in these waters for the past 20 years, and have stayed at each of these marinas, and know them quite well. For those who don't know them, I'll take the risk of posting my thoughts on each of these to help in your decision process. My apologies if I misstate or misrepresent in any way.
Maple Bay has been the site of several Rendezvous. It has a fuel dock, a large outdoor gazebo for potluck dinners, small store, quaint affordable restaurant, clean/functional washrooms, but it is older and becoming a bit rundown, though they are working on replacing some of the docks this year. The scenery is quite lovely.
Genoa Bay is a smaller marina, no fuel dock, lovely but more expensive restaurant, reasonable washrooms, small store, a meeting place on the docks for potluck dinners, nice breakfast muffins/croissants in the morning, also in a scenic location. This has also been the site of a previous Rendezvous.
Poet's Cove/Bedwell has a customs check-in, fuel dock, newer larger hotel with two good sized restaurants and bar, small pool and hot tub, nicer washrooms, tends to be a bit noisier on weekends, has a classier feel to the resort, but no meeting place that I recall for potluck dinners.
Salt Spring marina is the smaller of two marinas at Ganges Town. The docks were all replaced a couple of years ago and are very good. The washrooms and laundry are simple and clean, fewer than at the other marinas. I am not aware of any gazebo or other meeting place. Fuel dock is at the other marina, quite close by. A sports pub is very near by and is generally lively. The town of Ganges is a fifteen minute walk from the marina and is quite delightful with several restaurants, art galleries, liquor store, large hardware/housewares store, ice cream shop, chocolate shop, grocery store, etc. They usually have a farmer's market on Saturday afternoons.
In my opinion, a Rendezvous could work at any of these marinas, but they are quite different in style and amenities. I would appreciate anyone else with location-specific knowledge to add information or provide a different perspective.
I hope this helps some of you as you vote for your choice.
Frank

 

[hjohnson]

The thing I liked about Genoa Bay was that we were all along a big long dock, rather than on fingers sprinkled around. Also, the party barge was pretty decent. But as always, open to the will of the group.

 

[mjknowle]

This has been a quiet vote! Anyone, anyone?

 

[mjknowle]

(I’m on Team July 18 myself, and since one can vote by STV on this: Genoa, Saltspring, and Poet’s, in that order).

 

[southofvictor]

Quincy will be in Mexico but we may be able to sneak up for it. We’ll keep an eye out for what you decide.

 

[Norwester]

My vote, considering this may be our first border crossing, would be at;
"Poet's Cove/Bedwell"
Because... it "has a customs check-in," as @Frank Langer shared.

 

[Brass Dragon]

Sorry, away from the computer. If you are still taking votes I would rank 1st Salt Spring, 2 Maple Bay, 3 Bedwell. At this point we are open either weekend.

 

[Brass Dragon]

S'cuse me. 2 is Genoa Bay

 

[mjknowle]

OK folks, it's official! Your organizing team aboard S/V Sagres is proud to announce...

The 2026 PNW Ericson Yachts Rendezvous!
July 17-19 2026, Genoa Bay, BC​

We've reserved the linear dock at Genoa Bay (48° 45' 36.12"N 123° 35' 40.86"W) from July 17-19. We expect people will arrive sometime on the 17th; there may be informal gatherings in the evening, but most activities will be on the 18th. Official checkin is 1pm or later on the 17th, checkout is 11am on the 19th, but you are welcome to arrive earlier/later as you see fit--just arrange it with the marina.

How to book
Use the booking page at https://www.genoabaymarina.com/contact or call them at 250-746-7621 (or 1-800-572-6481 if you're calling from outside Vancouver/Victoria/environs). Please book your boat individually and mention you're with the Ericson Rendezvous--that way you'll get space with the rest of us on the linear dock.

Genoa Bay is easily accessible from Vancouver Island. If you're planning to join us from the land side, you can easily get there via ferry + driving from either the Nanaimo or Sidney ferries (or if you time it exactly right and are feeling adventurous, doing Tsawwassen->Saltspring->Crofton->drive to Genoa Bay by BCFerries is a fun possibility as well). There are plenty of interesting places to explore and stay around the area.

Want to organize something?
We'll be doing boat walkthroughs, an evening BBQ on the 18th, and...whatever else folks want to do. Got a presentation, activity, game, or something else fun you want to organize? Please let @hjohnson or me know--there's lots of room for fun and useful stuff!

Looking forward to seeing you all!

 

[hjohnson]

My vote, considering this may be our first border crossing, would be at;
"Poet's Cove/Bedwell"
Because... it "has a customs check-in," as @Frank Langer shared.

I hope you still join us! You won’t need any kind of cruising permit or whatever once you’re north of the border. Coming north, check in at Poet’s Cove, then make your way through the Gulf Islands towards Genoa Bay. Lean the magic of the Gulf Islands. The only really moderately challenging bit of this when heading to Genoa Bay is the area around the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. It’s busy with the ferry fleet tooing and froing, but just keep your situational awareness up, and you’re good to go.