2015 North Channel, Great Lakes Rendezvous

[trailertrawlerkismet]

August 9-11 Little Current, Manitoulin Island, North Channel Ontario


Even though it's three weeks until the first day of spring, it is time to start planning our summer boating season in the Great Lakes, including the 2015 North Channel-Great Lakes Rendezvous. The event, held in Little Current last August, met all of our expectations – there was a lot of interest from Tugnuts to have another. Details will follow soon as we formulate the program but in the meantime respond with a post here or PM me if you think you'd like to attend.

Last year we had representation from Texas, R.I., Florida, Ontario, Michigan, Alberta and Washington State. Whether you live in the Great Lakes area or in the far far reaches of the U.S. or Canada, think about trailering your Ranger Tug or Cutwater to the North Channel this August. Join us for the Rendezvous and cruise Canada's premier freshwater cruising grounds before or after the event. If your plans are to do the Great Loop in 2015, the North Channel is in your direct path and would provide a short break and opportunity to share your Great Loop adventures with us as well.

For those who have an interest in seeing photos from last years rendezvous and/or see a little of what the North Channel has to offer I've included a link to several blog posts that were made from the 2014 event, just click on the following link.

http://trailertrawlerlife.com/2014/08/

It's not to early to register, post here or PM me about your interests and/or questions.

Jim

 

[Pilotnavigator]

We will be there from August 1 to September some time, with our new 21ec. We have cruised the NC for 8 years in a small sail boat and this will be the first time for the new "Wanderer" Add our name to the list!
John

 

[avpilot]

Texas will be represented at the NCR in Little Current this year. We enjoyed the 2014 rendezvous. Certainly the 2015 rendezvous will be as outstanding as last year's. Our calendar is marked. We look forward to renewing friendships as well as making new ones. Thanks, Jim and Lisa, for taking on the task of setting up the event.

Kathy and Gregg
Santolina, R25SC

 

[Scuffy]

I wonder how many people would be interested in doing the Trent Severn Canal route and the inside route thru all the islands as part of the cruise to Little Current and include the rendezvous?
D.D.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

John and Sandra on Wanderer, Kathy and Gregg on Santolina I have added you to the growing list. We also have Tom and Pam on Evolve on the list as well. Counting Lisa and I that makes 4 boats and 8 people so far and it is early yet. If you are interested please post here or PM me. Last year we had 14 boats with room to grow a little more this year, based on dock space. So even thou it is early don't wait to long to add your name to the Rendezvous list, as dock space is somewhat limited.

More details will follow over the months ahead, as I formulate the Rendezvous program but as Kathy and Gregg stated last years event was well received.

As to D.D.'s question regarding cruising the Trent Severn/North Channel or Georgian Bay, I'd bet there will be an interest, last year there were many that did just that. After we've built this list a little more lets bring the subject back up with those planning on attending and or a separately dedicated post. D.D., how about you getting back with me in a month or so to discuss. D.D. are you planning on attending the North Channel Rendezvous?

 

[S. Todd]

Construction on our 2015 R25SC began 1.5 weeks ago. If all goes as planned we intend to be there for the Rendezvous in the North Channel. That is one of our favorite places to cruise but have only done it a few times. The last time we were there was the year they had the 110 mph wind storm, about 8 years ago. That definitely tested the anchoring methods in the Benjamins.

Todd & Anita

 

[Scuffy]

Jim,
We put our C-Dory up for sale. We are planning to buy a R.T. 27' but are not exactly sure when a deal will be finalized. We had planned to cruise from Cape May New Jersey to Ft. Pierce Florida this fall but the Trent Severn and the North Channel seem to be a better choice for our bucket list priority. To answer your question we would like to attend the North Channel Rendezvous but right now that is up in the air with a bunch of ifs. In a month or two we should know for sure. For now I would say just a maybe.
D.D.

 

[dwaindumas]

Jim,
Had a great experience at last year's rendezvous and would love to attend this years rendezvous. However, we are planning to commence our "Great Loop" trip in Chicago the middle of August, which makes the timing a bit tight. We will let you know as soon as we have a clearer picture of our task and scheduling.
Dwain Dumas & Jackie Hughes "LYDIA"

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Keep us posted Dwain, we'd love to have you return but understand the getting started part of the Great Loop. I've added D.D. and Todd and Anita to our tentative list as well as another returning veteran Annie on Gentle Lady, we're up to 7 boats now, although 2 are tentative at this point but hopeful.

Jim F

 

[jzois]

Jim- You can list John and Shelly too. We originally signed up last year and couldnt make the trip. We'll be on our '21. We're based in MI.

 

[Pilotnavigator]

That would make Three 21ec's so far! Going to be a fun time!

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

The ice has disappeared from the bay in our hometown in Northern Michigan which means the boating season is not far behind. Of course this also means that the 2015 North Channel Ranger Tug/Cutwater Rendezvous in Little Current, Ontario is less then 4 short months away. Like last year the deadline for the official sign up will be at the end of June, to make sure we secure the proper amount of dock space and arrange for catering......so for those that are thinking about attending put your cruising thinking caps on, pencil the August 9-11 dates on your calendar and let me know your intentions about attending. So far we have 11 boats that have tentatively registered, hailing from: 3 Ontario, 5 Michigan, 1 each from Texas, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Reed Yacht Sales, Lefroy Harbour Marine and Ranger Tugs will be returning sponsors....thank you. In addition Global Marine Insurance has agreed to be a sponsor this year and we're discussing having them do a presentation about an overview of boat insurance, something that should be of interest to all of us.

I'm working on the itinerary for the 3 day event, that will follow in the near future, but rest assured the North Channel Rendezvous will be well worth having on your 2015 summer cruising schedule. Post back here or PM me to be added to the registration list or ask questions.

To see photos of last years event simply click on this link: http://trailertrawlerlife.com/2014/08/

 

[Pilotnavigator]

Wanderer - 21EC will be there, After 8 years with our Sun Cat, teaching it the ways of the NC we begin again to teach our new Ranger Tug where all the anchorages are!! See you all in August!
John & Sandra

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Thanks John and Sandra, you're on the list.

Jim F

 

[Lehill]

Hi Jim and Lisa,
Count us in. we are looking forward to cruising the North Channel (our first time) this August and meeting new friends in the Ranger/CW family. We'll be coming up from LeFroy Harbour, Lake Simcoe on Summer TALE our R31 CB.
Looking forward to August!!
Lance and Elmira Hill

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Welcome to the family Lance and Elmira, I've added you to the list that now adds up to 12 boats...only three shy of last years number and its only April. I received a call from Sam Bisset at Ranger Tugs yesterday and he was confirming his attendance at the North Channel Rendezvous. Sam is responsible for Marketing the community of Ranger Tug/Cutwater boating we all love so much.

Jim

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

Today is Victory Day in Canada and Memorial Day is observed next Monday in the USA so this must mean that the August 9-11 North Channel Ranger Tug/Cutwater Rendezvous is right around the corner, only 2+ months away. There are 15 boats on the registration list (formal registration coming in June). If your name is not on this list and you'd like to attend respond here or PM me to be added. The tentative agenda is attached below. Here's who I show on the unofficial list:

1. John and Sandia Manson on Wanderer
2. Tom and Pam Zimmerman on Evolve
3. Greg and Kathy Dohrer on Santolina
4. Todd and Anita Hittinger on
5. Dave and Ginny Deem on Tiny Town
6. Annie Westlund on Gentle Lady
7. John and Shelly on Odysseus
8. Dave and Donna Cook on Bucket List
9. Ken and Pauline Phillips on Shipperly
10. Lance and Elmire Hill on Summer Tale
11. Greg and Cathy White on Tug R Not
12.Dan Horning on
13. Mike and Marilyn Smith-Fitzgerald on
14. Mark Renshaw and Jodi Smith on Irish Mist
15. Jim and Lisa Favors on Kismet

Click on the link below to view the tentative agenda:

/Users/jimfavors/*ALL JIMS FILES/PROJECTS/2015 Ranger Tugs Rendezvous Agenda.docx


Jim F

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

The agenda link did not show, so here it is:

2015 Ranger Tugs/Cutwater North Channel Rendezvous

TENTATIVE AGENDA


AUGUST 9 – Sunday

11:00 am-4:00 pm Arrive at Little Current Town Docks
Pick up registration materials, ditty bags and settle in for some fun

5:00 pm PAVILLION-Happy Hour (BYOB)

6:00 pm PAVILLION-Introductions, acknowledgements
and agenda review

6:30 pm PAVILLION-Potluck Dinner
Please bring a “Hot Dish” entrée or dessert to
share. Bring your own plates and utensils

AUGUST 10 – Monday --------------------------------------------------

8:00 – 9:00 am PAVILLION-Full breakfast catered by Anchor Inn-Sponsored by Global Marine Insurance

9:00 – 10:00 am Anchor Inn-The Net (across the street from
the marina-2nd floor conference room) During the summer, Roy Eaton conducts a daily VHF
broadcast. The Net is broadcast over the
North Channel and covers everything
happening in the area such as announce-
ments, introductions, weather and more.

10:00 – 11:30 am PAVILLION-“Ask the Factory”
Sam Bisset-Director of Communications
Ranger Tugs & Cutwater

12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch on your own

1:00 – 2:30 pm PAVILLION-North Channel chart review

2:30 – 3:30 pm PAVILLION-Boat Insurance discussion, led by
Global Marine Insurance

3:30 – 6:00 pm Free Time

6:00 pm PAVILLION-Dinner- Catered by Anchor Inn
Sponsored by Reed Yacht Sales and Lefroy
Harbour Marina

After dinner “Last Man Standing”…chance to
Win a $225 engine parts kit from Ranger
Tugs along with two cash winners…more
Details later.


AUGUST 11 – Tuesday --------------------------------------------------

8:00 am Breakfast on your own

9:00 – 10:00 am Anchor Inn-The Net (conference room)

10:30 – 11:30 am Anchor Inn Bar—North Channel Power Point
presentation by Roy Eaton, as seen at the
Toronto Boat Show

12:00-1:00 pm PAVILLION-Lunch catered by Anchor Inn
Sponsored by Ranger Tugs

1:00-3:00 pm ON DOCKS-Boat Crawl
Open your boats up to show off innovations,
additions and improvements to your boat for
the benefit of others

3:00-4:30 pm LOCATION TBD-How to Presentations

6:00 pm PAVILLION-Pizza Party
Sponsored by Lefroy Harbor Marina and
Reed Yacht Sales

AUGUST 12 –Wednesday ------------------------------------------------

Depart Little Current. For those interested
Plans are formulating for a group cruise &
Overnight anchorage for those interested.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I'll be out of town until late next week and not able to respond to any posts or emails, but I wanted to give everyone a heads up on a few things relative to the North Channel Rendezvous. We've added Rich and Cheryll on Roam to our list and that makes 16 boats.....a very good showing. When I return I'll be putting a post up onto Tugnuts and sending out emails to the 16 already on "the list", with the official registration form for attendees to print off, fill out and return to me with the registration fee...which will be due back to me by June 25th. Good news is that the registration fee will only be $65.00 per person this year (a real bargain) thanks to the sponsorship support of Global Marine Insurance, Reed Yacht Sales, Lefroy Harbour Marine and Ranger Tugs. By the way if you plan on bringing children, they are always welcome, and if they are 12 years of age or younger their registration fee will only be $35.00 (basically to cover 2 dinners, 1 breakfast and 1 lunch).

Talk with you soon,

Jim

 

[sandj]

Hi Jim,
We are looking forward to joining the North Channel Rendevous. Put us on your list. We are Jim and Sharon from Mississauga, Ont. and have a Ranger 21ec.
Sharon