The Vancouver Island Chapter hosted the first BCA rendezvous of 2025 at Telegraph Harbour Marina, Thetis Island May 17-19. In attendance were 66 members, associates and guests, 52 of whom participated in the optional Sunday Dinner.
Friday
The weather Friday evening forced the early arrivals dock party onto various boats. Knot 2 Krazy had a peak attendance of 20, 10 in the salon and 10 in the enclosed cockpit, reducing the freeboard by at least 2 inches. The rain did nothing to dampen the spirits, in more ways than one.
Saturday
The Saturday weather continued unsettled. The events included:
- Treasures of the Bilge swap meet
- Many treasures were bought and sold. As per usual, my purchases exceeded my sales, much to the Admiral’s dismay.
- A special thanks to Glen Wilson who donated his sale proceeds to the BC Marine Parks Forever Society.
- Sea Change Marine Conservation Society – Presentation
- Potluck Dinner (including BCA Board & Watchkeeper Presentations)
- Silent auction fund raiser for Marine Parks Forever Society
Silent Auction
The Silent Auction raised $ 1,345 for the BC Marine Parks Forever Society.
Silent auction. How much should I bid?
A big thank you goes to the companies that donated gift certificates for the auction:
- North Sails, Sidney
- Trotac Marine
- The Harbour Chandler
- Gartside Marine Engines
- Oak Bay Marina
- Tradewinds Boaters Exchange
- Port of Sidney Marina
Sunday
Sunday brought better weather and more activities, including:
- Continental Breakfast
- Liferaft deployment
- Workparty on floating sea life exhibit
- Optional Indian Cuisine dinner
- Prizes awarded for Marine Quiz Contest
Liferaft deployment
The liferaft deployment was educational and fun. The raft would be an extremely “cozy” shelter for the 4 adults it was supposed to accommodate.
The Telegraph Harbour Marina is hosting a floating sea life exhibit. It will be used as an educational center promoting conservation and is another reason to stop in at the Marina.
The optional catered dinner was a great success. This is the second year with Indian Cuisine. We are planning to continue the dinner option, but are looking for suggestions on what food options we should consider next. Send your suggestions to us, Barrie and Sandra, your VI Rendezvous Coordinators.
Indian Dinner
Monday
The Continental Breakfast Monday morning capped off the event, as members prepared to depart for new adventures on the water.
Wishing you all fair winds and calm anchorages.
Some of the participants at the May 2025 Rendezvous
Currents PDFs
Loved your story about hosting so many people aboard Knot 2 Krazy that she was 2″ lower on the waterline. The story reminded me of our hosting 14 people aboard our Contessa 32′ Akvavit (in about 1977!) and finding that water was coming up the cockpit drains.
Nancy Carlman
Well written article – I enjoyed reading it. Glad to see you’re staying on as our coordinators next year. We enjoyed the rendezvous, even though Artemus, our cat, went walk about from our boat, sometime Saturday night and didn’t return. (The good news is, after 38 days, Greg found him… to be cont’d in a short story later).
Congratulations, Barrie and Sandra, for creating a much enjoyed rendezvous!
He had lost about 1.5 pounds, and was really glad to be home with an easy supply of food!
We returned to Thetis Island in June and saw your poster for Artemus, at the pub. So glad to hear you are reunited. Barrie & Sandra
My thanks to our very good friend, Lesley Quin for providing most of the pictures in this article. Barrie & Sandra
I’m so sorry that I missed the Rendezvous; it sounds like it was great fun! I look forward to seeing members at the August Rendezvous! I’ll be aboard Glen and Cheryl’s boat, INDIGO WAVE.
(Nancy Carlman, I laughed when reading your comment about seawater coming up through the cockpit drains. That would be a tad disconcerting!)
Thanks, Barrie, for the delightful report.