The Peterson Cup Cruising Rally (PCCR) had a theme of Music In Fiji. The rally turned out to be full of not only music, but also wonders and mischievous elves.
The first gathering was at 1600h in the Dinghy Dock Pub, Nanaimo. All boats can anchor nearby for free. The staff were overjoyed at our presence. Several boats arrived, with more to join later, and happy greetings prevailed. Ken Christie, the Rally Commodore, swapped chairs all around and finally got to make a welcome and planning talk. The attendees then voted to head south in the predicted winds.
Rally participants at this point included: Blue Rose, Dolphin Tales, Chantey V, Cookie Cutter, Ragtime, Grace, Euphoria, Exodus IV, Antares, and Marimba 2.*
Sunday 0900, they were off like a herd of turtles chased by wandering rabbits; all boats avoided Satellite Reef then rounded Gallows point. Yes, there were ferries for some members to learn about, so a hard right was needed at Jack Point’s Lateral Beacon, heading folks into the 400 meter Killer Whale zone, which was better than an encounter with a BC Ferry.
Now all skippers’ eyes were on the seafloor and the healthy variety of animals there. With no drifting or anchoring here, the song was: Dodd Narrows here we come, into – or with – whatever tidal currents are timed for our wind-driven arrival. As usual, the Commodore, with crew Sue & Tamiko on Blue Rose, was doing the sweep for stragglers, but there was a worrisome engine noise (the first evidence of mischievous elves) and concern about reaching Dodd Narrows on time. Fortunately, the ebb flow and timing of slack helped Rosie‘s engine knocking to subside and her skipper to relax.
Left: Sunday after running Dodd Narrows – food, music, comradeship, stories and laughter on Dolphin Tales; a mandolin is warming up; Right: the PCCR chases Cookie Cutter.
The Sunday destination was at North Cove Thetis Island, with the goal of reaching it and dropping anchor under sail. Along the way, Dolphin Tales lost power (those darned elves) and put out a call to the PCCR fleet for assistance. Rosie eventually found Dolphin Tales near Yellow Point Lodge, moving very slowly under sail, with neither electricity nor motor. Rosie proposed, and Dee agreed to be roped securely alongside with the bow just 2 meters behind (the still noisy) Rosie’s bow – for the safest, most fun, towing experience.
The rest of the boats had arrived at Thetis Island. The crews rowed to the beach to sit on logs below the high tide line and share snacks. Amid great conversations (and with no fire lit), a nearby cabin owner sent his big doggie into the party, stating we were on his property. A reminder that below the highest high tide line is all public Canadian territory solved the problem and all were friends. Attention then turned seaward as Rosie and Dolphin arrived and anchored, still married by ropes.
The new arrivals joined the group ashore. Each skipper had a different story about the day’s voyage. Commodore Ken then announced the evening social would be on the rescued Dolphin Tales, with music led by Chantey V (Daragh and Crew Al). A cockpit full of singing sailors – what better way to recover from a trauma, eh, Dee? Raise a glass, sailors, to a day full of BCA wonders.
The next issue to address was Dolphin’s lack of electricity. Allan Berry & Cindy Wang brought some tools from Euphoria and found the problem deep down, beside the engine, among 100 wires. The elves were evicted and it was all fixed in record time. Thank you Euphoria (the PCCR Cup winner for 2023!). So glad to have you in our lives.
Allan Berry used his intuitive and practical skills to determine why Dolphin Tales lost power underway: the problem was only a corroded connector, behind a nut, to the starter relay!
With the Monday destination all laid out for Montague, Wallace Isle, Clam Bay, and the outside Montague Marine Park, the ships set full sail, and skittered around Thetis (E or W) for a relaxing Gulf Isle Cruise. The Commodore was relieved when all boats arrived at Montague; there was even an extra when Alika, with Skipper Don visited while passing by. Once again, there was a music session and a potluck paradise.
More music and fun on two different occasions.
Tuesday’s plan was modified to continue to enjoy the park. Meanwhile, Tucana with Skipper Heather and then Carpe Ventus with Skipper Brian arrived. Brian graciously accepted Commodore Ken’s request to bring all sailors aboard for an amazing singalong and more sharing of food. What better reward for arriving late than to be the party host? More great memories were created.
Wednesday July 31: the 0900 radio check confirmed our destination was Winter Cove where there is a lot of free anchorage, and a lazy park to hike. Most were anchored at Winter Cove when it was learned that the elves had struck again. Rosie was still in the Swanson Channel ferry lanes with an engine only functioning at idle speed. Ken, wanting to avoid C-Tow, managed to push Rosie out of the lane with his 2.5 hp dinghy; Tamiko steered while Sue watched out for on-coming BC Ferries (all 5!). Messages flew and Heather was able to contact Chantey V just as they were coming by Minx Reef. They turned back to find Rosie in a back eddy of Davidson Bay. Daragh kindly offered to tie alongside and tow Rosie directly to the reserved dock of Port Browning. A grumpy Skipper Ken was soothed as Daragh hummed some tunes. Meanwhile, the crew were down below preparing to be hosts and main cooks for the August rendezvous.
Left: PCCR Commodore feeling grumpy due to engine troubles in the ferry lane; Right: using the (2.5hp) dinghy to push Blue Rose away from traffic, keeping an eye out for the 5 ferries.
Upon learning that the PCCR Commodore (along with Chantey V) would not be joining the fleet at Winter Cove, Heather stepped up with some coordinating so that the planned onshore appy hour ensued. Winter Cove was a happy anchorage with lots of great stories.
Left: Thursday, most boats arrived in Winter Cove; Right: Socializing on Sunday aboard Dolphin Tales.
Most skippers chose to make the run to Port Browning on Thursday, except for Exodus skipper, Ralph, who decided to circumnavigate the Penders, with a stop to drop off a crew member. Daragh, after delivering Rosie at Port Browning, also had a side trip to pick up his partner Cate in Sidney.
Exodus IV skipper Ralph’s route, taking the long way to the final PCCR celebration.
Everyone arrived in time for the final celebration at the Port Browning Marina Resort & Pub, where there were tables full of happy and noisy PCCR sailors – all wonderful times and a fine example of the BCA fun that Lex Peterson had planned for in the years before his early passing.
Lex gave us many inspirational thoughts, one of which was “Live your life today!”
He also reflected:
What struck me about this trip was seeing how important it is to belong to a community, a tribe, a support network. It doesn’t matter whether the currency of your tribe is boats, big houses and fancy cars, or happy children, small fishes and music till 5 a.m. What matters is your participation. Do you add value to your community or just consume its resources? (From Currents April 2003, as described here, along with other stories about Lex.)
PCCR 2025
The 2025 PCCR will be coordinated by the VI Chapter; it will start July 26 at the Dinghy Dock Pub, Nanaimo, and end July 31 at Port Browning. More information will be forthcoming in a couple of months.
Currents PDFs
Ah, yes, I am sure that the other PCCR cruisers have a few corrections as to what happened , and when. Likely most are OMG, we laughed so much …but there are a few corrections needed. (Yes, there is some Newfie Humour here, ask a Newfie)
BOATS by alphabets: BEYOND THE STARS, BLUE ROSE, Carpe Ventus, CHANTEY V, Cookie Cutter, Dolphin Tales, Exodus IV, EUPHORIA, IRENE, GRACE, HOME RIGHT, Latitude Attitude, MARIMBA 2, RAGTIME (just arrived from Mexico to attend this PCCR), RISKY, and somewhere sometimes among the fleet arriving from the upper inside passage is- TOUCANA <—
Great story and reporting Ken, Thanks to Sue and others for organizing an amazing meet up. Michael Goodman from the Henry G, was there along with Onno from Sailing Lost Pearl, just in from Mexio where Onno is sailing around the world. We were on our 52 center cockpit Tayana.
Blue Rose is one of the last Fraser 30 built by the DeClear Brothers. It was the Yanmar engine’s gearbox 60 wt oil that induced the noise and vibration as the heavy oil did not let the CONE CLUTCH close tightly.
Here is a relevant story of how Blue Rose is entwined with the origins of BCA.
While reading the following article, it provides insight as to how and why BlueWater Cruising became possible, and expanded. As the story winds down there is kind of an explanation of how this sailing paradise would be less obtainable. Such thinking might assist in an examination of proceeding into the future as BCA is part of the base for west coast cruising that can sail the planet.