Tugnuts rendezvous in Roche Harbor

[boaterjoe]

The Roche Harbor, Washington rendezvous this last weekend was absolutely amazing. Where else can you see over 200 RT and C boats in one location. Meeting new friends, talking to factory reps, garmin specialists and the hawaiian luau all were great. Even the band Wally and the Beavs made dancers out of everyone. Many thanks to all who worked hard to make it a fantastic event. The seminars are always well attended. I would like to add a suggestion to next year's planning committee. I heard from many people that they would like a seminar on sanitation and holding tanks. Learning about tank location (keeping it below the head), joker valve maintenance, and the latest technologies in charcoal filters and other systems are essential to keeping our boats fresh. Any other suggestions for seminars next year?
Again thanks to all who worked so hard all year long on this great annual event.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

We agree with Boaterjoe, a great event well organized by so many people at Fluid Motion, including a lot of their vendors!

This was our first RT rendezvous and we were somewhat intimidated by the thought of so many boats and people. Well, 202 boats and over 500 people later our anxiety was quickly relieved. Roche Harbor did a masterful job on the docks and at the food venues. It was a incredible weekend!

BTW, Kim would love to have an expanded Women on the Water seminar next year. Can't wait!

Thank you, Ranger Tug and everyone else who made this a spectacular event!

Bob & Kim
The Doghouse 2

 

[Sam Bisset]

Thanks for the kind words, we had a blast putting it on! I love the idea of seminar suggestions. We've received a lot of positive feedback on the Learning Center Seminar Series. I'll start a new thread or resurrect this one in the spring so we can get a pulse for what everyone would like to learn about.

Exterior boat maintenance would be good. I like the sanitation idea. We'll make sure there is more time for Olinda's Women on the Water seminar. Feel free to place ideas in this thread. I'll look it up in the spring.

thanks!

 

[Nellie Too]

Thank you everyone at Ranger/Cutwater for such a great event. It couldn’t have been any better.
Bob and Nita Ostlund

 

[Bigsky]

Ditto Bob & Nita. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. The event was very well organized and fun. Bob, you make a killer margarita. Janny and I were nervous about trailering out and being exposed to tides, currents, ferries and way more experienced boaters than ourselves. Meeting all you guys in Anacortes helped lesson our anxiety. Glen Wagner set the hook in us last April and his Alaska trip talk was worth the price of admission. We'll be back.

Bill & Janice
Miss J

 

[blifland]

Ranger/Cutwater and Roche Harbor staff-very fun, well planned and executed Rendezvous!
Food, music/dancing, presentations and people were great times. Everything was just wonderful.
Glen Wagner's presentation was so much fun to see and hear - he had such a humorous yet informative talk.
This summer was Leslie's first overnights on our RT25 - prior to - she was wanting to sell the boat; after Rendezvous she is now talking buying a 'bigger Ranger' - note to self - be careful what I wish for.
Barry & Leslie
Keep on Tuggin

 

[baz]

Suggestion(s)...

I attended a smallish meeting at Seattle's Fishermen terminal (Seattle/Ballard) a few years back and Bruce Moore had previously put together a scavenger hunt program. I personally found this to be very interesting as well as the exercise it gave me, and the kids really loved searching about for the clues. I wonder if this could be setup on a future Roche Harbour event ?

Gluten free food items is maybe something that could be arranged for in future. I have two grandkids that are 'gluten free' and would hate to see them go without some of the food goodies.

A special sign for the oldest Ranger Tug in attendance, along with its engine hours, total cruise miles made, etc.

 

[Shangie]

We hope to be at this years rendezvous as we are committed to purchasing and bringing home our wee tug this weekend if snowmagedon ever stops. Fingers and toes crossed. Need eyes straight to pilot 😀 .

Dietary needs: Is it okay to bring our own meals and snacks to communal gatherings? We don't expect a price discount because we understand these events are often run on a slim budget and are a numbers game.

As a past volunteer hosts with our Airstream club as well as a private campground, we hosted two to three day paid events and always welcomed those with special dietary restrictions to bring their own meals, posting this well received information with event registration. We don't expect others to to spend extra money and time on our specific needs but we do like to enjoy meals with others and it is always good to know whether or not we can bring our own full plate to events where seating is reserved so there is no awkwardness.

 

[YukonRon]

We are also curious about any provisions for dietary needs. Barb needs to eat gluten free, so any GF options in the meals are always appreciated.
Otherwise, if we can throw our own pancake mix on the griddle , or a couple of GF burgers etc, that can work for us too. She is wheat-intolerant and not worried about trace amounts of cross-contact. We realize this doesn't work for everyone with special dietary needs, but every option or flexibility can be helpful to work-around.
Looking forward to our first rendezvous event!

 

[Shangie]

At events we hosted, we welcomed people to use the refrigerators, microwaves and grills to preserve, cook or reheat meals. There were never more than a few, including vegans, and so it never became an issue or interfered with the volunteers doing the cooking- if yo have ever participated in cooking a meal for a hundred and fifty people you know what I mean about activity level! . I suppose if we had more than ten needing this type of accommodation it could have become problematic because several commercial refrigerators, cooktops, warmers and ovens, etc. were bursting at the seams already and I couldn't imagine having people milling about while all during the frenzy of prep, cooking and serving..

My husband and I usually bring a cooler with items that don't need to be cooked such as sandwiches and salads and snacks we can have. We do this at bluegrass jams, potlucks and other events where we don't have easy access to cooking and one of us doesn't want to miss the happy hour gatherings by hanging back and cooking. This way we avoid cooking but we do longingly look at those hot meals so being able to use a grill or even bring a small one to the cooking area would be amazing!