Author Archives: Rusty

2016 Rendezvous Recap

We had a wonderful time at the 2016 PSGBOA “Grand Banks Round Up!” – aka the PSGBOA Rendezvous! This year we brought a touch of Western flair to the Rendezvous. Everyone got into the spirit – from cowboy hats and boots, to line dancing, it was a hootin’ and hollerin’ good time!

Most of the boats arrived on Wednesday and the party got started on Thursday. Morning donuts and a popular slate of seminars with Mark Bunzel got things started. Later in the day the US Coast Guard was kind enough to bring their 45′ patrol boat by for a Q&A session and boat tour. Then it was off on a dinghy ride to Westcott Bay Shellfish Co., where we snacked on delicious oysters! By evening it was time to take it up a notch with a country and western DJ and line dancing lesson. There was plenty of boot scootin’ to be had!

Friday started with another delicious batch of Roche Harbor’s famous Lime Kiln donuts and fresh brewed coffee. Our first seminar of the day was “Onboard Yoga” taught by PSGBOA’s very own Patt Aiello (who is also next year’s Rendezvous Chair!). After we were stretched and limber, the group enjoyed seminars from Bill Davis on “damage control” and Rick Laws, who shared his harrowing story of surviving a shipwreck in the Bering Sea. Friday afternoon our group said a hearty “Thank You” to PSGBOA’s sponsors during our annual Sponsor Appreciation Event! We can’t do it without our wonderful sponsors! The evening wrapped up with fantastic wine tasting hosted by Wells Fargo Insurance and our annual potluck.

Saturday was our final day of fun, with a last slate of seminars that included a presentation from Grand Banks Yachts, a fun historical overview of Smuggling in the San Juans (courtesy of PSGBOA member Greg Hertl), onboard provisioning tips from Lynette Brower and an excellent photography seminar from National Geographic photographer Phil Schofield (who is also a PSGBOA member!). The afternoon was topped off with the ALWAYS popular dog show where our canine friends showed off their best tricks! Everyone went home a winner! The grand event of the day was our annual Dinner on the Lawn, with fantastic food from Roche Harbor’s Executive Chef Bill Shaw. We all enjoyed one last fun evening together before it was time to head home (or to points beyond) Sunday morning!

Thank you again to all of our sponsors and presenters, especially to our wonderful PSGBOA member presenters!

See you next year!
– Leslie Simmons
PSGBOA Secretary

PS: Stay tuned for an “introduction” post from next year’s Rendezvous Chair, Patt Aiello!

Check out images from the Rendezvous below, captured by Rusty Lewis of ARCHIMEDES:

Continue reading →

Join Us for the 2015 PSGBOA Grand Banks Rendezvous!

We are very excited to announce that REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for the annual PSGBOA Rendezvous, our celebration of 50 years of Grand Banks in the Pacific Northwest! May 6^th-10^th at Roche Harbor Resort and Marina.

This year promises another great Rendezvous – we have exciting new seminars and hands-on demos, delicious food and beverages, and social events where you can meet up with old friends as well as make new friends…Plus, enjoy FREE MOORAGE on Wednesday, if you depart Sunday (or later).

Click here to download the current schedule

Here are some highlights:

Planned demonstrations from a U.S. Coast Guard boat
Fire preparedness: The fire department will be setting fires (and WE will putting them out!)
Managing onboard medical emergencies
Cruising with your 4-legged loved ones (including how to handle onboard health issues) with a seasoned offshore cruising expert
Learn the latest about new boating apps and technology available
Listen to a three-time Space Shuttle Commander present the world from space
Learn shipwreck folklore from the San Juan Island museum director
Hear the latest in trials and tales from the UW oceanographers

NEW Activities this Year:

Chandlery: Bring items off your boat that you would like to sell, swap or give away (e.g. hardware, electrical items, tools, keys, cabinets, whatever!). Stay tuned for more details.
Dinghy trip to an oyster farm
Walking tours: Guided history tour of Roche Harbor; docent guided tours of the art park; guided tours of a local distillery
A hosted bon fire and “loaded” coffees and desert followed by a spooky late night walk to the mausoleum with RH executive chef Bill Shaw
Nightly cigars (or not) under the stars which will always lead to exaggerated sea stories!

Also, we’ve listened to your feedback, past participants! The Chef Shaw Cooking Demo will feature more substantial nibbles and wine, and will be limited in participation numbers so as to not feel too crowded!

Click here to download the current schedule

So what are you waiting for? REGISTER NOW! Early bird pricing is in effect through March 15^th. For only $200/boat (up to two adults), you get a variety of seminars, activities, food, drink and more! We are a non-profit organization (emphasis on NON!); as you can see that $200 registration fee is just a fraction of the actual expenses. In fact, the majority of our costs are covered by OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS most of whom have been with us year after year. We provide time for you to greet and THANK them on Friday afternoon (and throughout the event!) and encourage you to keep them in mind when you have a boat need/project/service come up

We hope you continue to help us make the next 50 years truly the best for our Grand Banks community!

Click here to download the current schedule

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE!

Join us for the 2015 Grand Banks Rendezvous!

ANNOUNCING THE 2015 PSGBOA ANNUAL RENDEZVOUS
MAY 6th – 10th
ROCHE HARBOR RESORT & MARINA

It may be chilly right now but before you know it, Spring will be here and with it, the PSGBOA Annual Rendezvous! Join fellow Grand Banks enthusiasts for another fantastic Rendezvous, May 6th through the 10th at beautiful Roche Harbor Resort and Marina.

The details are still coming together, but here are some highlights:

FREE Wednesday night moorage, for those staying 4 nights or more (we’ve “officially” extended the event to run Wednesday to Sunday due to popular demand)
Additional Wednesday/Thursday activities and social opportunities
Delicious hosted meals, snacks and drinks throughout the Rendezvous
Fun, informative seminars from industry and community experts
A variety of small group outings – pick the activities that appeal most to you
And most important… Plenty of time to hang out with old friends and make new ones!

We’ll post additional information as the event takes shape and registration will open in early 2015.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, shoot us an email at rendezvous@psgbowners.org

Looking forward to another amazing Rendezvous!

-Terry Stanford, 2015 Annual Rendezvous Chair

Ken Watters, Father of PSGBOA, Passes

The entire Grand Banks family owes an incredible debt of gratitude to Ken Watters for all he did for us. Ken welcomed many into the GB family with open arms at our first rendezvous. He was that way with everyone, going totally out of his way to include them. He’s rightly called the father of the Puget Sound Grand Banks Owners Association.

Ken was a consummate and skilled seaman. He made numerous trips around Vancouver Island, building a network of friends in the small communities of that remote area. He became a veteran of northern British Columbia and Southeast Alaska waters, encouraging others to follow. He was “steady as she goes” in the wind and the waves, calm and focused.

Ken Watters, in his generosity and nautical skill, was an inspiration to us all. He will be sorely missed. We are all better people for having known him.

Arianna in the latest PassageMaker magazine

Note from member Richard Pierce: “Thought you might like to know there is a big spread about our boat (Arianna, 1970 Alaskan 46) in the October issue of PassageMaker (www.passagemaker.com). We also have a blog at https://alaskan46forsale.shutterfly.com that has more of the story and many photos that the members might find interesting.”