10th ANNUAL PACIFIC NORTHWEST ALBIN VEGA RENDEZVOUS

(Please click on any picture for a larger view.)

This year's Rendezvous was at Port Browning Marina, on North Pender Island in the Canadian Gulf Islands. The venue has undergone some great improvements since our last rendezvous there in 2005, including new washroom and shower facilities.

Pub and Restaurant above, office and washrooms below.

Side view

Pool

Field and Port Browning

Campgrounds

Seven Albin Vegas and one 34' Albin Singoalla, as well as two other boats attended.

Chuck and Laura Rose in "Lea Lea" (Home port Honolulu) were there, looking all ready for their upcoming offshore voyages.

Sean Welby, and Anita, Geoff Roberts, and Isolde, came from Victoria BC in the recently purchased NGA.I.A.KOE, which is Maori for "Little Friend". The boat has an interesting history and has crossed the Atlantic.

"Simply Super", Brian and Diana Hoffler's Wauquiez Centurion 32, has also been a world traveller. This boat has the first "Air Head" (composting toilet) I have seen. Brian's head is a thing of wonder!

The Hofflers used to own  Vega 1039 (Nosa), now owned by Kevin Woods on Hornby Island. Brian, the driving force organizing our annual informal get-togethers, also brought his Tinker sailing dinghy.

"Quiet Passage", the Albin Singolalla (one of 50 built and with 6' 6" headroom!) owned by Rick and Karen Ranney and crewed by Jake was the largest boat there. Rick and Karen have done an amazing job restoring and improving her, and moor at the marina in Blaine.

"Katia Sofia" was there, with Austin McHugh and his daughter Kelsey, both are avid dinghy sailors.

Ken McMillen and Judy Schwan brought their Vega "Akvavit", and their Tinker sailing dinghy.

Howard Barbour and Sheila Gaquin brought their Mercator Offshore 30 "Eileen B."  They are the former owners of Vega "Shiva" which now sails out of Alaska.

"Sojourner", piloted by Edie and Bob Wood, was another nice Vega attending.  I had previously met them last year on Jedediah Island.

(file photo from 2007, Fisherman Bay)

Jim and Gloria Elder arrived a day late after some trailer troubles on the road, and managed to liven up the party from the moment they arrived!

And of course Ulla and I were there in "Sin Tacha", good old 1331, sporting the ultra lite "Black Fly" dinghy on deck.

Friday evening was spent in the Pub, with Bear and Mitzi, formerly of the Vega "City Zoo" in Friday Harbor. Lots of food and drink was consumed, and a good time had by all!

Saturday was a nice breezy day for dinghy sailing, so Brian, Judy, and I rigged our little ships and had a blast out on the Bay.

Although we were'nt racing, it was determined the "Fly" was 'slightly' quicker than Brian's Tinker :-)

Howard and Austin tried out the "Fly".

This is a video of Howard's test:

Saturday evening we had a pot luck dinner under the tent on the field.

Sunday was a departure day, as various boats set sail for home or further cruising.

A good time was had by all, and plans are for next year's Rendezvous to be held at Fisherman Bay on Lopez Island, in the San Juan Islands, date yet to be set.