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I’m posting some Rendezvous 2008 thoughts for discussion. I figured maybe we need a separate post for this topic.
If you have an interest in the Sandpiper Rendezvous 2008 I would greatly appreciate your comments. Even if you can’t make it this year, I’d still be interested in your thoughts.
A few of us have been talking and have come up with a few Rendezvous suggestions. We were thinking of having our illustrious event on the weekend after the August long weekend. That would mean arrival on Friday August 8, Setting off on Saturday August 9th, and finishing off Sunday the 10th.
1) Niagara on the Lake
We would moor Friday at the Niagara on the Lake Yacht Club. They have launching and parking facilities. Besides the main clubhouse, they have a nice boat shed area that has barbeques, etc. Saturday morning we would set sail for Port Dalhousie. We would sail up the old canal area and tie up at either a marina dock or their yacht club docks. There are several locations to tie up. Some are quite private and away from the town. Others are closer to the historic district, which has some nice restaurants, etc.
Port Dalhousie also has a nice beach that we could anchor off of and swim. On Sunday we would head back to Niagara on the Lake. Back at Niagara on the Lake we would tie up and have a group dinner at one of the many fine restaurants. My personal favorite is the Angel Inn.
Around this basic itinerary we could also organize racing or other fun events. Maybe even a winery tour Saturday evening. Many offer van taxi service.
The area has got stunning architecture and nice docking facilities. I see two possible negatives. If the wind really blew up from the north, Lake Ontario would be wild. There are not too many protected areas. Some of my friends have even had miserable nights moored at the yacht club. The incoming wind mixing with the strong Niagara River current sets up some interesting standing wave action.
2) Toronto Centre Island
Boats would be launched at the RCYC City dock at the foot of Sherbourne. We would park our cars and trailers there for the weekend. We would sail over to Queen City Yacht Club and spend the night there. Queen City has great facilities.
Saturday morning we would head off to sail around the islands. The islands have excellent beaches on the southern side. After circumnavigating the islands we would spend Saturday evening moored in one of the beautiful back lagoons of Centre Island. There are some nice areas where only boats like Sandpipers can go. Sunday would be spent casually racing in the harbour then back to Queen City for dinner. We could also have dinner at a marvelous restaurant a short walk from the club. Their patio is spectacular.
The island community is also having their festival of light celebration so there will be beer tents, bingo at the Community Centre and the amazing gas fire displays
The Toronto Islands are unique in that they are a small tranquil cottage community without cars, but they have an amazing view of my favorite city. The harbour offers protection. Its’ only down side is that if you’re use to secluded lakes the water traffic might seem intense. You’d see some spectacular boats though. We could even drop in to my own yacht club.
3) Prince Edward County
I talked briefly with the Prince Edward County Tourist people at the boat show who just happened to be catamaran sailors. They gave me a few suggestions.
Launch on Friday in the Town of Picton or Prince Edward Bay and spend the evening there. Both these areas are in protected areas so we could sail in the Adolphus Reach area or Prince Edward Bay. Spend Saturday night in Prince Edward Bay. Picton has some fine restaurants that offer pub style food suitable for our Sunday night dinner.
Sand Banks Provincial Park is another beautiful area worth considering but has the disadvantage of being on the weather side of the County. A strong westerly making waves over a hundred miles of Lake Ontario would make for some rough sailing.
So, there you have it. If you want me to develop the program for any one of these locations or any other areas you might like, let me know. I think all the above locations would make excellent Rendezvous venues either this year or in years to come. We should probably start setting up marina or yacht club locations fairly soon.
I’m looking forward to your comments.
D’Arcy, Shortwave
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