Wooden Boat Rendezvous in Deer Harbor, WA

Orcas Island, Washington Hosts a Fun-filled Wooden Boat Gathering

Aug 4, 2008 Sheila Gaquin

Sandwiched between two of the West's biggest and best wooden boat festivals is the fun and folksy Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous on beautiful Orcas Island.

During the first week of September three outstanding wooden boat events take place within 30 nautical miles of each other on the westcoast of North America. Two are large, well-establshed events, and one, a relative new comer to the field, is quietly gaining devotees.

Victoria's Classic Wooden Boat Festival

Labor Day weekend in Victoria's Inner Harbor on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, has been the scene of the Classic Wooden Boat Festival for more than thirty years. Upwards of 200 wooden boats of all description participate in a series of activities that culminate on Sunday afternoon.

Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival

One week later, on the weekend following Labor Day, Port Townsend, Washington hosts what they call "the premiere wooden boat festival of North America." This long running, end-of-the-summer festival also attracts hundreds of wooden boats and thousands of interested spectators.

Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Festival on Orcas Island

Conveniently and quietly sandwiched between the big Victoria and Port Townsend gatherings, is the Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous. Beginning on Tuesday, the day right after Labor Day, the Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous offers a full schedule of events to keep participants and spectators happily entertained in the ordinarily sleepy hamlet of Deer Harbor.

Tuesday Races and Barbeque

The celebration begins Tuesday with a mostly-for-fun rowboat race. Later there is an informal sailboat race to neighboring Jones Island and back. The day ends with a backyard barbeque in the gardens of the Deer Harbor Boat Works. The barbeque menu includes locally caught salmon, local organic produce, the highest quality homebrew beer on the west coast, and ice cream. The Olga Symphony, Orcas Island's much loved and very talented musical group, strolls the grounds providing great music and good humor.

Wednesday Captain's Breakfast and Races

Wednesday begins with a Captain's breakfast at the local Deer Harbor Inn, just a short walk from the Deer Harbor Marina. In spite of the name, attendance is not limited to skippers, as captains, crew, and the curious are all welcomed to this no-host event. Later in the morning there's an open-class sailboat race and with awards ceremonies following. In the evening there is a potluck on the dock at the Deer Harbor Marina.

Thursday on to Port Townsend

The Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous culminates on Thursday. By mid-day most boats have departed for Port Townsend, but for those who remain, there is a small potluck on the dock that evening.

For more information visit the Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous website.

The copyright of the article Wooden Boat Rendezvous in Deer Harbor, WA in Boating & Sailing is owned by Sheila Gaquin. Permission to republish Wooden Boat Rendezvous in Deer Harbor, WA in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Deer Harbor Washington Hosts Wooden Boat Gathering