As in past years, the Vancouver Fleet members got together and invited other Doners to wrap up the Fleet season. The Fleets of BCA consist of BCA members who are actively planning to leave for their offshore adventures.
Denis and I have been members of fleet for many years now… probably the longest Fleet members in the history of BCA 🙂 mostly due to life happening and us having to postpone our departure date, either because of work or family commitments; but this is the year we are planning on leaving! So, this year, we were really excited to participate in the Fleet barbecue and were grateful for one more chance to meet up with many Doners who ‘have been there and done that’. Although Fleet does a good job to prepare you to face the challenges as you prepare your boat for offshore sailing, the Doners have many tips about the ins and outs of cruising life. We got some really great tips about checking in to the USA using the Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Roam app [1] from Greg and Lori Bernard from Palomita, who left for Mexico last year and returned for the Summer. And we also picked their brain about leaving their boat in Puerto Peñasco for the hurricane season, as opposed to Guaymas, for example.
Anne Woodson and Dick Townsend from Full and By also keenly shared lots of tips about life in Mexico as cruisers, and some of the things you may do to your boat to protect it from the incessant sun. For example, Rob Murray and Debra from Avant gave us tips on sewing and installing covers for all the wood handrails on Counting Stars. The knowledge these Doners have to share is so invaluable!
Chatting with Doners
As in the past, we enjoyed each other’s company in the beautiful setting of the social room at Spruce Hardbour Marina, thanks again Barb Angel! We had delicious food, and great company!
The BCA officials attending the event
Past-Commodore Leslie Hansen was present to mark the occasion and Vancouver Vice-Commodore Don Hutchinson said a few words of support and encouragement!
And just like that we now face the excitement of leaving, the uncertainty of weather routing, the sadness of leaving family and friends behind and the exhilaration of new adventures to come!