Rendezvous Summer 2023

[Loren Beach]

Good time to start planning on the next Gathering of the Vikings.
Probably would be in US waters, but this really depends on who wants to assume command.
Thanks!

Loren
(down in Portland, where no one seems to want to travel that far for a rendezvous!)

 

[Marlin Prowell]

Virginia and I attended the Genoa Bay meetup this year, and, at the end, @Shannon & Doran Jones handed us the NW Ericson meetup vinyl banner. So, for the moment, we are the organizers.

Our choice for next year is either West Sound or Deer Harbor on Orcas Island. Both are smaller marinas, not urban marinas, and close to Canada so it is easier for our Canadian friends to attend. We are hoping to visit these marinas this week to check their facilities, and will report back when we do.

Others have mentioned Port Townsend and perhaps visiting Tally Ho. We will leave that to others to investigate and to take the lead on organizing if that is the preferred location.

 

[Frank Langer]

Thanks, Marlin. Either of the marinas you mentioned sound good, and I appreciate you thinking of distances for us Canadian sailors. Keep in mind that we would need need to check in first at US customs, likely Friday Harbour unless there is a closer port to those Marinas.
Frank

 

[bgary]

Keep in mind that we would need need to check in first at US customs, likely Friday Harbour unless there is a closer port to those Marinas.

I'm sure you're well familiar with the area, but for those who might not be.... Deer Harbor is about 5nm NNE from Friday Harbor.

Just a quick trip up San Juan Channel, putter around a few of the smaller San Juans (Yellow, McConnell, Reef) .... and then tie up and enjoy the ice-cream at the top of the dock!

 

[Kenneth K]

Always wanted to do a S. Sound Roundup some day....Seattle, Bainbridge, Vashon, etc. My schedule still doesn't quite work with San Juan / border trips.

 

[Frank Langer]

Change the schedule???
Frank

 

[southofvictor]

Thant sounds great @Marlin Prowell ! Let us know what you find out. This past summers rendezvous was so much fun, looking forward to another.

 

[bgary]

Always wanted to do a S. Sound Roundup some day....Seattle, Bainbridge, Vashon, etc. My schedule still doesn't quite work with San Juan / border trips.

Me too! Maybe we should plan a side discussion.... something in South Sound that works for your schedule and doesn't conflict with "the" Rendezvous's usual straddling-the-border model and July dates...?

 

[Kenneth K]

Me too! Maybe we should plan a side discussion.... something in South Sound that works for your schedule and doesn't conflict with "the" Rendezvous's usual straddling-the-border model and July dates...?

Yeah, that'd be great!

 

[Prairie Schooner]

I kinda enjoy reading this discussion even though we're on the other side of the continent. I feel a small part of the party. It might motivate us over here to organize one. And if we do we'll have a better notion of the logistics. However, if you want to go to a smaller conversation, that's cool too. This is just one vote to say it's not bothersome chatter for me.

 

[southofvictor]

Me too! Maybe we should plan a side discussion.... something in South Sound that works for your schedule and doesn't conflict with "the" Rendezvous's usual straddling-the-border model and July dates...?

We'd definitely be down with a South Sound get together on the side, might be a good option early season? Let us know.

 

[Marlin Prowell]

@Virginia and I visited Deer Harbor Marina on Orcas Island, checking for a marina for the Pacific Northwest meetup next summer. Orcas Island is an hour ferry ride from Anacortes WA on one of the Washington State ferries.

I had previously called West Sound Marina, also on Orcas Island, inquiring about their facility. They said they had mostly permanent moorage there. They could perhaps handle six boats, but ten boats was not possible, so we do not consider them a good prospect for next summer.

Deer Harbor Marina is well equipped to handle a sailboat rendezvous. Amenities include a "party barge", general store, bath house with showers, fuel dock, and pumpout station. There are two restaurants nearby. Island Pie is at the top of the marina ramp and Matthews Smoke House is a half mile walk. The Waggoner Guide also has a write up about Deer Harbor. There is also on shore lodging nearby for those not traveling by boat. Of course, an internet search will tell you even more.

We liked Deer Harbor a lot. It was quiet and feels more like Genoa Bay than Anacortes (the last two rendezvous locations), although Deer Harbor will be busier this summer.

One drawback for Deer Harbor Marina is the price of moorage. It will be about $2.60/ft next summer, in line with Roche Harbor Marina prices. Port of Anacortes and Port Townsend marina prices are closer to $1.60/ft.

We suggest the weekend of July 21-23, 2023. Tides are more moderate that weekend so navigating the island currents won't be as challenging.

And, as we said before, we are suggesting this as a possible rendezvous location. If you are interested in Deer Harbor, please post a reply. If there are others who would like to be the organizer for a different destination, please chime in with your alternative.

Deer Harbor Marina starts taking reservations for all of next year starting January 1, so we should decide on a location in the next month.

 

[Shannon & Doran Jones]

Sounds great! Timing and location

 

[Frank Langer]

We stayed at Deer Harbour Marina a few years ago, and really enjoyed it. Apparently it had undergone renovation from previous years when it had become run down. I think it would be a good location for the rendezvous.
Unfortunately for us, we have a European cruise ship vacation booked from July 28th, so we won't be able to attend on your suggested dates. If it were earlier we would make every effort to attend.
Thanks for your planning work!
Frank & Karen
Morning Mist
Nanaimo, BC

 

[southofvictor]

Time and location sound great to us, too. Thanks for doing the research!

 

[Mr. Scarlett]

Where would a Canadian coming from Vancouver check in? Roche or Friday Harbor? I've gone to Roche before a delivery to SF, and I have gone to Friday on the way to Port Townsend. I was thinking take a day to get to Pender and then work across to one or the other. What have others done? Is there another customs dock that isn't Point Roberts?

 

[Loren Beach]

A quick search shows Customs entry points in the Islands at Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, and Anacortes. Best to check the official web site.

 

[Marlin Prowell]

When we returned to the US from Genoa Bay, we used a phone app called CBPRoam which allowed us to audio chat with a customs agent over a cell phone internet connection. We were cleared by the agent, didn’t need to report to a customs entry point, and proceeded directly to our destination. We both have a NEXUS pass and had a DTOPS decal for the boat, but don’t know if either of these are required to use CBPRoam.

I’m gathering info about who can use CBPRoam (including Canadian availability) and what other documentation is required. I’ll report what I find out.

 

[PANorth]

Maybe our boat will actually be in the water by then. We'd love to join you all and get to know the Ericson community.

 

[Shannon & Doran Jones]

Maybe our boat will actually be in the water by then. We'd love to join you all and get to know the Ericson community.

Such a great community! Last summer we had a couple of Ericson owners attend without their boats. Either way, we hope to meet you