We’re so excited – the Grand Banks Rendezvous is right around the corner! If you are a registered participant, you should have received an email from Carol Taber, Rendezvous Chair, with a link to the event program and schedule.
If you have NOT received an email with a link to the program, please shoot us an email!
Our Rendezvous Registration is full, and closed for the 2019 event – if you were not able to join us this year, we hope you will be able to attend in 2020!
New this year! We’re adding a series of Roundtable Discussions to our Rendezvous this year, with a variety of topics. Currently we’re scheduled to have chats on: Mechanical Systems/Engine Room, Helm & New Technology, Galley & Salon and Deck. Join us for these informal conversations and see what sort of knowledge you can pick up (and impart!).
A big thank you to S3 Maritime for their sponsorship of this year’s Friday night festivities, “A Groovy Grand Banks Rendezvous: Celebrating the 1960s”! We will have a potluck, games and a DJ spinning all the best tunes from the 1960s!
We’re asking Rendezvous attendees to bring a dish to share, based on the first letter of your boat name: Dessert (A-C); Side Dish (D-M) and Main Dish (N-Z). Side and dessert, please bring enough to feed approx 10-12 people. Main Dish, please bring enough for about 8 people. If possible, include a printed list of key ingredients!
Have you participated in a rescue at sea with your Grand Banks, or do you know someone who has? This year at the PSGBOA Grand Banks Rendezvous, we are offering a Sea Stories award to a GB crew that has assisted in a rescue. Submit your nominations to rendezvous @ psgbowners dot org.
Puget Sound Grand Banks Owners Association is sad to share the news that Whit Newton, co-founder of American Marine, has passed away. The following was shared with us from Shing Kong:
“Whit Newton, together with his father Robert and brother John, founded American Marine in the late 1950s and introduced one of the most successful brand of boats, the Grand Banks, to the world. While this fact by itself is impressive, it really does not do justice in describing the impact Whit had on the boating industry and more importantly, the positive impact Whit made in the lives of many people.
As the co-founder of Armerican Marine, Whit also employed and mentored many people who later made a significant impact on the boating industry. In the attached picture where Whit was sitting in the middle, Joseph Kong on the left later started Kong & Halvorsen that built the Island Gypsy. Tony Fleming on the right was later the founder of Fleming Yachts. Therefore, not only every Grand Banks owner should thank Whit for the Grand Banks, every Island Gypsy and Fleming owner should also appreciate how their boats can trace their heritage back to Whit.
At the beginning of American Marine, John and Whit, together with their young families, shared a large 100-year old farmhouse in the village near the Hong Kong boat yard. John and his family lived in the back. Whit and his family lived in the front. The entire extended family lived under one roof, just how the Chinese lived back then. No wonder the Chinese workers loved them.
Whit genuinely cared about his workers. Here is a story not many people know. When American Marine went bankrupt and had to close down the Junk Bay boatyard and layoff all the workers in 1975, Whit, who was on the verge of being forced out of the company he co-founded and loved, used his personal money to help pay for the severance for all the workers. As a public owned corporation Whit had no obligation to those workers. But as a gentleman, he felt that those workers had been loyal to the company, it was the right thing to do. How many CEOs would do anything like this? No wonder there are still people in Hong Kong, who once worked for American Marine more than 40 years ago, still remember and talk about Whit fondly and kindly.
In recent years, Whit and his wife Marcia owned a 1974 Grand Banks 42 and loved to cruise the San Francisco Bay with his family and friends. I guess you can take the Netwons out of Grand Banks the company but you cannot take Grand Banks out of the Newtons. As Whit captained the boat he created with sea wind touching his face, only God know the joy Whit must feel when he shared the sea with his grand kids who were not born when he first left for the far east to start his epic adventure. For Whit, his wonderful life came to an peaceful end last month. For those whose lives have been touched by this wonderful man, his creation lives on, his legacy endures, and the memory of him will remain with us forever.”
We’ll be highlighting some of the events at this year’s Rendezvous here on the PSGBOA website! First up, the Stem to Stern Bilge Sale, on Friday May 10th from 2pm-4pm. Sellers can display their items available for selling, swapping or giving away. Have large items you don’t want to bring? Take a photo and display it with your contact info! This is a great opportunity to unload some of the “boat stuff” that is clogging up YOUR lazarette, garage, etc 🙂 And maybe pick up something ‘new’!
Join us at the 2019 Grand Banks Rendezvous in Roche Harbor!
Registration is now OFFICIALLY open – Click Here to Register!
It’s time to escape the everyday grind and find your rhythm somewhere special! A Groovy Grand Banks Rendezvous is all about having fun in a relaxed atmosphere. Think wine tasting, dancing on the docks, amazing food, and great friends! Don flowers, beads, and break out those retro clothes – bell bottoms, miniskirts, leisure suits and Birkenstocks – to let loose, dance and get your groove on as we celebrate the 1960s at Roche Harbor Resort and Marina from May 8th-12th.
Registration fees are $250 per boat ($230 for early bird rates!) with up to two people onboard (additional fees apply for extra people and kids – see the registration form for details.) We’ve got a terrific program lined up with something for just about everyone!
Additional Activities (not included in Registration Fee):
This year, four Women on Water (WOW) sessions are being offered. Women learn to pilot a vessel in a stress-free environment under the tutelage of an experienced captain. WOW training registrations are pre-paid ($20) and assigned, and WOW fees are non-refundable. All fees collected are donated to the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor.
“Entertaining from Your Galley” is the theme of Chef Shaw’s four-course Cooking Demo and Wine Pairing, presented by Roche Harbor’s Executive Chef Bill Shaw. Tickets are limited to 75 individuals, and are pre-sold at $55.00/ticket.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
Register today for the best rates! To sign up, just fill out the on-line registration form and pay via check or credit card/PayPal. You’ll receive a copy of your registration form, as well as additional details regarding payment. Please contact us if you do NOT receive an automatic confirmation email (and check your junk/spam filter first).
REGISTRATION CLOSES ON APRIL 22ND!