2014 North Channel Rendezvous (NCR)

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With spring in the air the much anticipated boating season in Canada’s North Channel is just around the corner. With that in mind it’s time to start the official registration process for the 2014 North Channel Ranger Tugs/Cutwater Rendezvous.

The Rendezvous takes place at the Little Current Downtown Docks on Manitoulin Island in Little Current, Ontario; the marina is centrally located in the heart of the North Channel. The dates for the Rendezvous are August 7, 8 and 9th, 2014. I’ve attached the registration form (as a PDF file - see below). You’ll need to print it out, fill in the form completely, and mail in to us to secure dockage and attendance at the rendezvous.

Click Here to DOWNLOAD and PRINT the REGISTRATION FORM

We will handle marina reservations for August 7, 8 and 9th (Thursday, Friday and Saturday). If you plan on arriving before August 7th, or staying after the 9th, you’ll need to make those EXTRA DAYS (ONLY) reservation directly with Little Current Downtown Docks... 705-368-1725
Port of Little Current Downtown Docks

Upon arrival you’ll pay for all your dockage fees (event days and extra days) to the marina. Rates are $1.75 Canadian per foot, per day plus tax for any extra days. For the Rendezvous days we have a special price – pay for 2 days and get the 3rd rendezvous day FREE.

As alway, if anyone has questions you can call or email me, make a Tugnuts post to the North Channel Rendezvous thread, or PM me on Tugnuts. Please complete and return the registration form by June 20, 2014.

Hope to see you there!

Jim Favors
P.O. Box 584
Traverse City, Michigan 49685

info@trailertrawlerlife.com

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I was asked a good question the other day regarding the registration fee for children for the North Channel Rendezvous and if it would be the same or reduced. The good news is that children 10 and under will have a registration fee of only $30 each and if you bring a child under 3 there will be no fee for them. If your plans include children please make this notation on the registration form that you'll be mailing to me.
 
Anne & Wayne Cameron plan to attend the 2014 channel Rendezvous. Keep us informed.
We have made our plans to travel the Trent Severn Waterway from Lake Ontario. Great trip if you have never done it.

Sine Wave
Wayne & Anne Cameron
 
Hi Anne and Wayne, we've added you to the growing registration list and look forward to seeing you in early August. If you not cruised the Trent Severn before you're in for a treat....see you soon.
 
Thanks to those who have already sent there North Channel Rendezvous registrations forms into me, however a view people have said they could not locate the link to open up the registration form. With that said I've attached the link below for easy access. Let me know if anyone has any questions or suggestions for a successful Rendezvous.

http://www.trailertrawlerlife.com/wp-co ... ration.pdf

To read information about the Rendezvous scroll down several posts on this thread.

Have an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend as we honor our veterans,

Jim F
 
Anne and Wayne, I hope we can get together during the NCR to talk about your trip on the Trent-Severn. We plan to do that same trip after the Rendezvous. Our route will be in the reverse order (ie, start at Point Severn and end at Trenton), and then head on to Kingston. We hope you'll keep Tugnuts updated on your Trent-Severn trip.

Summertime is kicking in hard here in TX. We're getting into the 90s. Time to gear up to head north to cooler temperatures. 😀

If you wish to send us a PM regarding planning for the T-S trip, please feel free.

Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R25SC
 
We have a great registration start for the North Channel Rendezvous. With three weeks remaining to register (to secure dock space and plan catering) and only 7 weeks until the August 7-9 event here's who we have officially registered.

Gregg and Kathy Dohrer on Santolina from Texas
Jim and Lisa Favors on Kismet from Michigan
Ken Harry, Jean Walker and Patti Moore on Puddle Duck from Ontario
Dave and Chris Margetts and children on ??? from Ontario
Kenny Marrs from Ranger Tugs Kent Washington
Rich and Cheryll Odenthal on Roam from Michigan
Randy and Cindy Peterson on I Think I Can from Florida
Brent Reed on ??? from Michigan
Mike and Jess Rizzo on Illusions from Rhode Island
Ryan Stovold on ??? from Ontario
Annie Westlund on Gentle Lady from Little Current Ontario in the summer
Wayne and Anne Cameron on Sine Wave from Florida

Don't miss out, print the registration form (from the link below) and send it in to be added to what should not only be a great Rendezvous but a chance to cruise in Ontario Canada's premier cruising grounds....the North Channel!

http://www.trailertrawlerlife.com/wp-co ... ration.pdf

If anyone has any questions regarding the Rendezvous or the North Channel you can post here on Tugnuts or send me a PM.

We look forward to seeing everyone in Little Current in August.
 
Hi Jim and fellow Tugnuts,
I see there is concern re. security of trailers ant trucks so this afternoon I spoke to Russ at 'Almenera en el Rio' Marina (previously Vances Marina) (Phone 705.844.2442) in Spanish, this where we kept "Sequel' under cover last winter. Russ will be able to provide secure parking for your equipment, either in the open or under cover if you wish. He has a ramp and travel lift. There is no fuel but you will pass the Spanish Marina about a mile down stream where diesel is available. The ramp at the Town Marina is steep, I have seen trucks unable to tow their boats out without the assistance of another truck
I would suggest launching in Spanish rather than Little Current as Highway 6 is only two lane, steep and narrow. Spanish is a scenic days cruise (about 30nm) to Little Current passing through the Benjamin area. Highway 6 is not much better from the south to Tobamory. So I would suggest if any one is driving through Michigan to come via Sault Ste. Marie as the roads on the American side are four lane while on the Canadian side mostly two or three lane. The Canadian Customs in SSM will probably be less busy than further south.
There are two Yanmar agents in Little Current, Boyles Marina (Phone 705 368 2239) which is at the west end of the Town Docks have experience of Ranger Tugs having worked on both my R25 and last year on my R29. I cannot recommend the other, Harbor Vue.
Please let me know if there is anything else I may be able to help with.
We will also be interested in joining the group going to the Trent-Severn Waterawy.
Dave and Chris
R29 'Sequel'
 
Thanks, Dave and Chris, for all your info - roads, launch, and storage. How long is the drive (in hours, not km) from Sault Ste Marie to Spanish?

We'd love to have you come with us down the Trent-Severn Waterway. Feel free to PM us to discuss specifics. We're counting the weeks until we leave Texas and head your way.

Regards, Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R25SC
 
Hi Gregg and Kathy:

I'll jump in here, as this is the route we've taken and will take this year for the Rendezvous. From Sault Ste Marie to Spanish is about 120 miles, so depending on your driving speed it will be 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Don't forget to pack your Pass Ports.

Jim
 
We're up to 13 boats registered for the North Channel Rendezvous as of June 6th. For those still on the fence I've just found out that the Manitoulin Country Fest is being held during the time we are in Little Current,

http://www.manitoulincountryfest.com/lineup

If you like Country music and have already registered for the Rendezvous check it out and if you have not sent in your registration you now have an added incentive to not only cruise in one of Canada's premier cruising grounds but see and listen to some of Country's finest.

Who's officially registered list:

Gregg and Kathy Dohrer on Santolina from Texas
Jim and Lisa Favors on Kismet from Michigan
Ken Harry, Jean Walker and Patti Moore on Puddle Duck from Ontario
Dave,Chris and Sarah Margetts, Gareth and Alyssa Tristram (9 yr old twins) from Ontario
Kenny Marrs from Ranger Tugs Kent Washington
Rich and Cheryll Odenthal on Roam from Michigan
Randy and Cindy Peterson on I Think I Can from Florida
Brent Reed on ??? from Michigan
Mike and Jess Rizzo on Illusions from Rhode Island
Ryan Stovold on ??? from Ontario
Annie Westlund on Gentle Lady from Little Current Ontario in the summer
Wayne and Anne Cameron on Sine Wave from Florida
Dave and Donna Cook on Bucket List from Ontario
 
For those attending the North Channel Rendezvous on August 7-9 your marina reservations will be made for you with your returned registration form, you simply pay for the dockage upon arrival. However if you're coming in early or staying after the Rendezvous, as mentioned in prior posts, you need to make those extra days reservation days yourself. Mike Rizzo reported to me today that the Marina phone number I had posted before was not being answered sooooo the correct phone number for the Little Current Town Docks Marina is 705-968-0386 and Reid Taylor is the Marina Manager. Again you only need to call him to make reservation dates for outside of the Rendezvous days.

For your convenience I've attached a link to the registration form:

http://www.trailertrawlerlife.com/wp-co ... ration.pdf

Have a great Fathers Day weekend,

Jim
 
For those attending the North Channel Rendezvous who plan on doing some exploration cruising and anchoring before and or after the Rendezvous, I've attached a link to our blog posts of the North Channel to help in your planning process. We'll review many of these locations during the Rendezvous but I thought the photo's in the posts would help everyone get an understanding of just how beautiful Canada's North Channel really is.

http://trailertrawlerlife.com/category/ ... 5w-S16Kxg1

Jim
 
UPDATE:

Good news for anyone still interested in attending the North Channel Rendezvous, we have been given a one week extension (until June 27th) for guaranteed dock space.....the original deadline the marina imposed was for today, 6/20. So with a one week extension, for anyone else still planning on attending, email me within the next several days to let me know that you're mailing me your registration form and I'll make sure that you'll have dock space for the three day Rendezvous in Little Current.

As of today we have 15 boats registered with 32 Tugnuts attending, pretty good for the first North Channel Rendezvous. Here is the list of the lucky ones who will be experiencing some of the best cruising in North America:

Wayne and Anne Cameron on Sine Wave from Florida
Dave and Donna Cook on Bucket List from Ontario
Gregg and Kathy Dohrer on Santolina from Texas
Jim and Lisa Favors on Kismet from Michigan
Ken Harry, Jean Walker and Patti Moore on Puddle Duck from Ontario
Dave,Chris and Sarah Margetts, Gareth and Alyssa Tristram (9 yr old twins) from Ontario
Kenny Marrs from Ranger Tugs Kent Washington
Rich and Cheryll Odenthal on Roam from Michigan
Randy and Cindy Peterson on I Think I Can from Florida
Brent Reed on ??? from Michigan
Mark Renshaw and Jodi Smith on Irish Mist from Ontario
Mike and Jess Rizzo on Illusions from Rhode Island
Ryan Stovold on ??? from Ontario
Annie Westlund on Gentle Lady from Little Current Ontario in the summer
Greg and Cathy White on Tug R Knot II from Ontario

If your name is not on this list and you'd like to be included you now have until June 27th to register.

http://www.trailertrawlerlife.com/wp-co ... ration.pdf
 
I'm reposting onto Tugnuts and email sent to me by Anne Westlund about her advice as it relates to the North Channel Rendezvous. Thanks Anne.

Going into Canada from US home base:
Be sure to also pack proof of insurance for the boat and car. Liability insurance is what they look for. Plus, you should have the boat and trailer registrations along. I've never been asked but it's in the regulations.
If you have health issues you might want to secure travelers health and accident insurance before leaving home. It's cheap compared to a helicopter med-flight or a hospital visit. I did find the cost of the walk in clinic in Little Current extraordinarily cheap however. The hospital and doctors there are very good. It's a short walk up from the docks in town. The drug store is up on the hill near the grocery stores.
Best anchor type for the North Channel is a Bruce anchor with some chain on it to length of boat, stoutness your choice. Carry at least one spare anchor for safety. Bottom structures can be weed over mud, mud, sand, clay, rocks, Mother Earth and "who knows what's down there?" Folks frequently carry fins and mask with snorkel for checking the anchor (or just take a dinghy ride and look down through the clear water).
If you cross into Canada from Sault Ste. Marie plan on going into the customs office and getting your boat permit to post on your window of your boat while you are in Canada. They won't otherwise want you to do that but the customs fellows and gals on Manitoulin Island will.
Annie Westlund

See everyone heading to Little Current next week and or before,

Jim F
 
Perhaps not directly related to this thread but an insurance question no less. We often travel to Canada and were wondering about rates for towing to a repair facility should be be out of the country. For example, engine breaks down in Desolation sound and has to be towed to Comox or Cambell River for repair. Any idea about how much that would cost? Our boat insurance is about to renew and we have a $2500.00 towing limitation where as another policy we are looking at has a 10K limitation. Any ideas or info. would be appreciated. Mike Regets
 
With the North Channel Rendezvous in full swing in Little Current Ontario Lisa has started to make posts on our blog. The first three posts are of the start of our North Channel adventure that show some of scenery that might be of interest to you, actual posts from the Rendezvous will be made in the near future and we'll let you know via Tugnuts. In the mean time, if you're interested, simply click on the link below for viewing the three North Channel Posts.

P.S.: We have 33 people in attendance, 14 boats from a Ranger Tug 21 to a RT 31 along with a Cutwater 28. Folks are here from Alberta, Florida, Rhode Island, Texas, Michigan and Ontario.

http://trailertrawlerlife.com

Jim F
 
Well we just finished our first rendezvous and I have to say it was a blast.. Made many new friends and shared lots of stories. Many thanks to Jim and Lisa for all their efforts. Kenny Mars made his way to everyone's boat with advice and help through out the rendezvous .. always with a big smile that never seems to end 🙂
Is sad to be saying good bye to everyone today but we know we will be meeting again on the water sometime🙂
If you have never attended a rendezvous try to get to one you will not regret it
Mark
 
Jim & Lisa,
Thanks for all the work putting together the Rendezvous. As we sit here waiting to pass the boarder at Niagara Falls. We can reminisce about what a great time it was. It is always nice to meet old friends and make new aqaintances.
Until next time, as Roy said, "Safer harbors and fair winds".
PS. Anyone lose a rice cooker? :lol:
 
Thanks to you both for the nice event Rendezvous in the North Channel. We really enjoyed the program all information, the goodie treats, and especially meeting all the nice Ranger/Cutwater owners. We want to thank the sponsors as well for their contribution and participation. it is unlikely we will attend this location event - at least in our FL boat again but we are inspired to come back and perhaps rent a boat. Currently we are hiding from the weather in Gore Bay…but it is a lovely spot and things to do - even in wind and rain. There is a CYC charter base here and we already have their information for a return. Sending our warm regards … Carolyn and Harry - see you in Florida.
 
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