The annual cannons of Seattle’s Opening Day, always scheduled for the first Saturday of May, signal more than just the water-themed festivities of the afternoon. The cannons are a declaration to shake off those winter landlubberly attitudes and board the nearest boat for on-the-water fun! Prominent on the summer calendars of Pacific Northwest boaters are the various festivals, parades, celebrations, fish derbies, regattas, potlucks, messabouts, and the like we enjoy. Among the array of boating events is the rendezvous.
What exactly distinguishes a rendezvous from the rest? First and foremost, the focus of a rendezvous is always boat owners and their guests. A typical rendezvous involves gathering boat owners of a certain type, often at the invitation of an owner’s association or local yacht brokerage. Odds are that there is a rendezvous out there that you and your boat fit into, either planned by your broker or even a fellow owner with gumption.
Rendezvous vary quite a bit in character. Some are packed full of educational seminars from factory representatives while others just want you to bring your guitar and a bowl of potato salad for the evening barbecue. Some rendezvous are mobile, resembling more an organized group cruise, while most are stationary at a gorgeous location, often in the San Juan Islands. There are exclusive rendezvous for members only vs. open-ended rendezvous for anybody who wants to go, and ones catered to fine wine or Rainier tallboy crowds. Rendezvous can embrace a dress-up theme, like superheroes or rock stars, or ask folks to just come as they are. Not all heroes wear capes.
Ultimately, what defines a successful rendezvous is a spiritual feeling of community, a shared experience of Boat with a capital B. When you pull into your rendezvous, a feeling of finding your tribe should ensue. Your boat is among her sister ships and familiar faces are there to greet you, often with a cocktail in hand. Take a deep breath in and cleat off those mooring lines. You’ve made it.
We offer our inaugural Rendezvous Roundup to help fill up your calendars this summer and find the rendezvous that best fits you. Note that we’ve kept the geographical scope of this guide in Washington state, purely for magazine space restriction reasons. We also acknowledge, especially because this is our first take with this roundup, that we’ve probably missed somebody. Fortunately, the season is young, and we eagerly await to publish your scuttlebutt. Send all information to editorial@nwyachting.com and we’ll do what we can to get the word out.
Grady-White Spring Rendezvous
and Ling Cod Derby
May 4-6, Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Hosted by the Northwest Grady-White Club
Grady-White owners are invited to the company’s annual spring rendezvous and ling cod derby in Roche Harbor. Stay tuned for more details at nwgwc.org or northwestgradywhiteclub.org.
Puget Sound Grand
Banks Rendezvous
May 9–13, Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Hosted by the Puget Sound Grand Banks Owners Association
This annual rendezvous is always the second weekend in May at the Roche Harbor location. Open to all Grand Banks owners. More info and online registration is available at psgbowners.org or you can contact the hosting organization at rendezvous@psgbowners.org.
Willard Marine Rendezvous
May 11-13, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
Hosted by the Willard Owners Association
Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend aboard your Willard Marine trawler in Friday Harbor! Shoulder season rates apply at the marina plus a group discount is offered. The Friday evening dock party gets the event started and attendees are encouraged to bring their musical instruments. More info and online registration is available at willardboats.org.
PaNNTOA Rendezvous
May 30-June 3, Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes
Hosted by Pacific Northwest Nordic Tug Owners Association (PaNNTOA)
This annual rendezvous is packed with speakers and events, with this year featuring Mike Beemer of the Marine Maintenance Technology facility of Skagit Valley College, anchoring guru Jeff Cleckler, and captain Linda Lewis. As always, First Mate training is offered! Open to PaNNTOA members ($30 annual fee), register and learn more online at panntoa.org.
Hosted by Hampton Yacht Group
May 31-June 2, Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Hosted by Pacific Northwest Nordic Tug Owners Association (PaNNTOA)
Open to Hampton and Endurance owners as well as VIP clients, the celebration by this community is an annual mainstay. Factory representative seminars, owner forums, a halibut roast with resort chef Bill Shaw, a dinghy cruise to the Westcott Bay Shellfish Company, and live music are just teasers. To RSVP or learn more, contact Jenny Lee Ziernman at jenny@hamptonyachtgroup.com or call at 206-623-5200.
All Fleet Rendezvous – Signature Yachts
June 1-3, Port of Poulsbo Marina, Poulsbo
Hosted by Signature Yachts
The local brokerage Signature Yachts hosts an All Fleet rendezvous every year for their clients. Cocktails and appetizers are offered on the Friday at the docks and morning educational demonstrations and afternoon sailing fill up Saturday. Famed blueberry pancakes are a Sunday morning staple. To learn more or register online, visit signature-yachts.com.
Inside Passage Yacht
Sales Spring Rendezvous
June 1-3, Blakely Island
Hosted by Inside Passage Yacht Sales
Clients of Inside Passage Yacht Sales, who specialize in local Lindell Yachts, are invited to the brokerage’s celebration on Blakely Island. You can learn
more and RSVP online at insidepassageyachtsales.com.
Aspen Power Catamarans Rendezvous
June 1-3, Location TBA
Hosted by Aspen Power Catamarans
The annual Aspen Power Catamaran Rendezvous for owners of Aspens and their friends and families is always an opportunity to share cruising experiences, exchange ideas, and meet other members of the Aspen family. The three-day rendezvous is a planned cruise itinerary of sorts through the Puget Sound area with details to be announced. Aspen owners should also stay tuned for announcements about the company’s annual two-week cruise further up north (usually in late July/early August). More info can be found online at aspenpowercatamarans.com.
Riviera Rendezvous
June 8-9, Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Hosted by Riviera, Emerald Pacific Yachts,
and Van Isle Marina
This established rendezvous always features a theme, and this year it’s all about the cowboys with a wild west motif. Activities are scheduled throughout the weekend. The weekend is hosted by Riviera, Emerald Pacific Yachts, and Van Isle Marina. More info is available on emeraldpacificyachtsales.com.
Alexander Marine West
Coast Rendezvous
June 14-17, Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Hosted by Alexander Marine U.S.A.
Themed “Under the Sea” this year, this event is open to all Ocean Alexander owners and is filled to the brim with food, wine, a dinghy parade, owner resources, and more. Stay tuned as details develop at oceanalexander.com, and you can contact Ashley via phone 206-344-8566 or email at ashley@alexandermarineusa.com for more information.
Tollycraft Rendezvous
June 21-24, Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Hosted by the U.S. Tollycraft Boating Club
Tollycraft owners, U.S. Tollycraft Boating Club members, and non-members/guests will be gathering once again at Roche Harbor for their annual fun-filled rendezvous. Register early for a reduced entry fee! More information can be found at tollyclub.com.
Annual Pacific Northwest Jeanneau Rendezvous
June 22-24, Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes
Hosted by Marine Servicenter
This year marks the 18th iteration of this event, reportedly the longest running Jeanneau Rendezvous in North America. All Jeanneau owners are eagerly invited. Plenty of fun and educational information is planned. You can call for more details or to RSVP at 206-323-2405 or visit marinesc.com.
Lake Union Sea Ray Summer Soirée –
20th Anniversary Rendezvous
July 12-16, Roche Harbor Resort and Marina
Hosted by Lake Union Sea Ray and Meridian Experience Cruise
The 20th iteration of the annual Lake Union Sea Ray rendezvous promises dockside cocktails, delicious food, and island-based fun (including a tour of the mausoleum). Open to all Sea Ray and Meridian families. Check out lakeunionsearay.com for more information and to register.
Chris Craft Rendezvous
July 12-15, Port Orchard Marina, Port Orchard
Hosted by the Chris Craft Ownership Committee
For Chris Craft friends, this one is a must. This year marks the 29th of the rendezvous of which 60 to 80 boats typically attends. All Chris Crafts are welcome regardless of size, age, or condition. Check out chriscraftrendezvous.com for more information or to RSVP.
Tiara Yachts Northwest Rendezvous
July 28-29, Dock Street Marina, Tacoma
Hosted by Alexander Marine U.S.A.
Owners of Tiara Yachts will want to attend this event in the heart of Tacoma’s awesome waterfront. Stay tuned as details develop at oceanalexander.com, and you can contact Ashley Harper via phone at 206-344-8566 or via email at ashley@alexandermarineusa.com for more information.
International Glasply Rendezvous
August 17-19, Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes
Hosted by GlasPly Owners
This annual event is the fruit of Canadian-American cooperation for all “past, current, and future” owners of Glasply boats. Food, community, and fun is on the itinerary! Contact Carl Rhodes (carlrhodes@gmail.com) or David Jackson (davidblakejackson@gmail.com) for more information or to RSVP.
Bob Perry Rendezvous
August 17-19, Port Ludlow Marina, Port Ludlow
Hosted by Bob Perry
This get-together for owners of Bob Perry designs and fans of the local builder’s work is an annual bash. Guest speakers and talks are featured on Saturday with a potluck dinner and live music for dancing into the night. The man himself always brings his guitar. It fills up, so make reservations quick. More info can be found at perryboat.com.
Pacific Northwest Beneteau Rendezvous
August 24-26, Brownsville Marina, Bremerton
Hosted by Signature Yachts
The local dealer of Beneteau boats invites all Beneteau owners for the company’s annual gathering. Comradery, Beneteau-related education, and fun are guarantees. Can accommodate up to 50 boats. You can RSVP or learn more by contacting Signature Yachts via email at service@signture-yachts.com or via phone at 206-284-9004. More info is also available at signature-yachts.com.
Decatur Island Rendezvous
August 28-30, Decatur Island
Hosted by the Classic Yacht Association
Members of the Classic Yacht Association meet at Decatur Island between the Vancouver and Victoria boat festivals every year with a packed itinerary of hiking, kayaking, crabbing, golf, and of course, boating. If interested, contact Christian and Jeanne Dahl via phone at 425-478-2514 or 425-478-2167 respectively. You can also contact the commodore at pnwcommodore@classiyacht.org.
Grady-White Labor Day Weekend
August 31-September 2, Rosario Resort and Marina, Orcas Island
Hosted by the Northwest Grady-White Club
Celebrate Labor Day with fellow Grady-White owners on Orcas Island! This annual rendezvous is for Grady-White owners and their families. For more information or to RSVP, check out nwgwc.com or northwestgradywhiteclub.org.
Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous
September 3-4, Deer Harbor, Orcas Island
Hosted by the Wooden Boat Society of the San Juan Islands
Strategically timed between the Victoria and Port Townsend boat festivals, the annual event is held from the first Monday through first Wednesday of September for wooden boats of all kinds. Rowing and sailing races, potlucks, music, and a barbecue are part of the fun. For more info or to RSVP, contact Ken Meyer via email at meyerlku@gmail.com. More info is available at woodenboatsocietyofthesanjuans.org.
Kadey-Krogen Northwest Rendezvous
September 6-9, Union Steamship Company Marina, Bowen Island, B.C.
Hosted by the Northwest Kadey-Krogen Owners Group
Although technically in British Columbia, American company Kadey-Krogen’s active Northwest Owners Group deserves a mention. The annual weekend of fun and boating education is open to members of the group and Kadey-Krogen owners. Check out kadeykrogenowners.org for more details as they come in and RSVP contact information.
BAD Rendezvous! Brownsville Appreciation Days Classic Yacht Rendezvous and Car Show
September 21-23, Brownsville Marina, Bremerton
Hosted by the Pacific Northwest Fleet of the Classic Yacht Association
Dockage is free for Classic Yacht Association members at this unique event that includes a classic car show, carnival rides, games, food trucks, and more. Tours of the classic yachts in attendance is also a part of the arrangement. For more information, contact event coordinator Peter Riess via email at peterriess@msn.com or via phone at 323-841-1335.
