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Cruise Recaps (May - July 2025)

Bob Simpson | Published on 8/9/2025
                  


MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CRUISE
May 23 - 26
(Recap)

From May 23 - 26,at SYC members gathered at Roche Harbor (San Juan Is.) to celebrate Memorial Day, honoring the men and women of the Armed Forces who lost their lives protecting our freedom.

Everyone  the Memorial Day Weekend Cruise was really into the "Red,White,and Blue" theme, decorating their vessels and dressing themselves up in the colors of the day. And, why not? Doing so earned them extra tickets for prize drawings!

The Memorial Day Weekend Cruise did not disappoint. Cruise hosts outdid themselves by providing great meals, fun activities, putting up amazing decorations, and offering great door and raffle prizes (7 door and 11 raffle prizes were given away over the three days)!

Cruise's activities included:
  • Friday, May 23: Heavy appetizers; cruise button distribution; and a door prize drawing
  • Saturday, May 24: Breakfast, games, dinner, a door prize drawing and more games
  • Sunday, May 25: Breakfast, dinner, door and raffle prize drawings, and more games
  • Monday, May 26 (getaway day): Breakfast and good-byes on the dock
Linda & Mike Rawls organized the ever-popular horse race game (involving stick stags and the roll of a die). "Jockies", astride their steeds, kept everyone (and themselves) in suspense as to who might win each race. Then, there was a putting green, too. Fun times, including a rousing game of Left - Right - Center...always fun, suspenseful, and (sometimes) profitable!

As a venue,Roche Harbor did not disappoint...offering a range of activities, food, music, shops, the peaceful caroling of Chapel bells, and the nightly "Retiring of the Colors" ceremony. Who doesn't "startle" when the cannon goes off...even when you know it's coming!?!

In addition to honoring the fallen, two "Happy Birthdays" were celebrated...Paul Manzi and 'Cash' (Mark and Marlene Sexton’s son-in-law).

Kudos to the cruise hosts!...Lisa & Jeff Lee,Paul Manzi & Susan Reese,Linda & Mike Rawls,Cheri & Cliff Christian, andKathy & Blaine Burfield.Youmade this a truely memorable "Memorial Day Weekend Cruise"!
                     
                     
         
                          


SHRIMP BOIL CRUISE
June 6 - 8 (Recap)
                   
                  
The Shrimp Boil Cruise was at Prevost Harbor (Stuart Is.) this year from June 6 - 8. Nine boats (18 people) attended. Food and fun, as always, were front and center:
  • Friday evening, June 6 (arrival day) saw heavy appies appear (and quickly disappear) on the dock.
  • Saturday morning, June 7, started with a "build-your-own breakfast scramble", accompanied by yogurt, fruits, and juice. To burn off calories, several members hiked to the Turn Point Light House, led by Gerry Heys. The dinner "shrimp boil", featuring spotted prawns caught that afternoon by Soni and Anthony North, restored members' calorie levels. And, if that didn't do it, the smores, roasted over the campfire, put them over the top. Great conversation around the campfire wound down a very full day.
  • Sunday morning, June 8 (getaway day), breakfast pastries, fruit, yogurt and juice were available for those still in need of calories. Cleanup went fast as everyone chipped in and an impressive tender brigade moved all the supplies back out to vessels for the trip home.
Another successful Shrimp Boil is in the books! 
                       
                         Shrimp Boil 2025 - The Boil
                   


CANADA DAY CRUISE
June 28 - July 2
(Recap)

SYC boaters began arriving at Van Isle Marina, Sidney (Vancouver Is.) on Saturday, June 28, and stayed until July 2. Predictably, food and fun were in abundance and everyone enjoyed walking the docks to take in all the "eye candy" boats.
  • Saturday: It was "Heavy Appies Night" on the dock.
  • Sunday: It was "Pizza Night"...a casual gathering on the dock to "rest up" before all the Canada Day activities over the next two days.
  • Monday,: The group assemble for a "Pot Luck" supper, timed to give people time to go to the "Sidney Days" Opening Ceremonies, music performances, and the amazing fireworks display on the waterfront.
  • Tuesday, Canada Day: Cruise participants took in the "Sidney by the Sea" Canada Day Parade, the Slegg Build-A-Boat Challenge (an eye-opening, entertaining water race event using boats built on-site earlier in the day) and more. The day finished with Chinese food for dinner.
Thank you Debbie Manchur and Jenn' Nunns for taking on "defacto" Host and Co-host roles. Your efforts were appreciated. According to Debbie, "It was a nice group of folks (10 adults), with quite a few younger boaters (5)...Paul Dumbleton's grandchildren, the Nunns' avid paddleboarder kids...and, one dog.
                  
                  
 
                            
                  
                   
                      


US INDEPENDENCE DAY
4TH of JULY BBQ
(Recap)

Surprise! Last year, this event saw only just over 20 people attend. But this year's 4th of July BBQ had around 70 people...Wow! What a rebound!

Hosts Bryan & Sandy Jones and Jeff & Lisa Lee were not caught off guard, however (the Website registrations and email RSVPs are working). They nailed the amount of hot dogs and hamburgers, buns, potato salad, tossed greens, BBQ beans, deserts...and, then some, to feed the group. As Bryan said, "If you went home hungry, it was your own fault!"

As first-time Hosts, Bryan & Sandy were very appreciative of early arrivals helping them setup and decorate. As "Grillmaster"Jeff Lee turned out cooked-to-perfection burgers and hotdogs, others jumped in to help on the food service line. Later, many more pitched in to help with the takedown and cleanup activities. But, then, that's what the SYC is all about at land events and cruises...volunteering to ease the workload of others.Even the Blaine Harbormaster, helped facilitate the event, allowing the Hosts to bring all the drygood items in the day before, so they could focus on just bringing the food on July 4.

It was a great turnout. Many new members were on hand for their first SYC event and everyone was mixing well...like one big, happy family reunion. BUT, what made it very special event was seeing both Colleen & Dick Hardman at the event...a real treat! Welcome back, Colleen!

With all the food, fun, the "family" feel, and the many raffle prizes given away, we are already looking forward to next year's 4th of July BBQ!
     
     
     
     


LUAU CRUISE
July 11 - 13
(Recap))
      
                       
                       
      

(Disclaimer: Any similarities of this cruise to the "Pig Roast" cruises of the past are purely "coincidental".)

Port Browning Marina (Pender Is., BC) was an ideal location for the Luau Cruise...nice docks, good achorages, landside accommodations, super staff, service, amenities, grounds for the Bocce Ball Tournament, close to town for food/supplies, an on-site restaurant/pub with entertainment, the Bistro "party room" for groups, a swimming pool, and much more. The concensus was...book Port Browning, again, for next year!

Our main Hosts,Jason & Kirsten Sloan, worked tirelessly, before and during the cruise, to ensure everything was ready for us...and it was! They anchored out and, yet, they seemed to be everywhere. A "supporting cast" helped them cover the various planned activities:
  • Friday Night Appies: Pat & Bob Simpson (a whole lot of people helped out with the decorations and covering picnic tables)
  • Luau Dinner - Decorations: Karen Anthony, Wendy Moriarty, Lisa Lee, Kirsten Sloan, and ???
  • Luau Dinner - Grillmasters: Kevin Anthony, Mike Moriarty, Gerry Heys, Jeff Lee, Jason Sloan (nice costumes, guys!), and ???
  • Bocce Ball Tournament: Geoff & Jennifer Nunns, Kirsten Sloan, Paul Dumbleton, Jeff Lee, Jamie Patterson, and ???
  • It was next to impossible to keep track of all the people that helped out...apologies to those not directly acknowledged!
Friday's "Appie Night" event was, as usual, a spread to behold...a vast variety of delicious dishes...enough food for everyone to pass through at least twice. Yellowjackets came and went as often as they liked and seemed partial to the Chinese-style BBQ pork, but didn't eat too much. Jim Davis, a relatively new member, asked, "What can I do to help?", and was promptly put to work handling the evening's raffle ticket distribution and prize drawings.

Saturday was a full day, kicked off by the annual double-elimination SYC Bocce Ball Tournament. Well-organized, the tournament flawlessly flowed throughout the day, helped along by the unique, laissez faire decison-making approach of "Head Adjudicator" Geoff Nunns. Once the full slate of randomly formed teams narrowed to just two finalists, a pause in play was called.

Everyone, then, moved to Port Browning's "Outdoor Kitchen & Bistro" for a semi-catered, DIY BBQ luau feast. Earlier in the day, the Bistro had been transformedinto a truly tropical venue by the decorating team...complete with a "put your face in the opening" photo board and a tropical photo backdrop, where many took pictures of themselves and each other. A dazzeling collection of raffle prizes and a 50/50 drawing rounded out the dinner's festivities. The Bistro staff and barkeeps were very pleasant and helpful. As usual, the decoration-takedown process went quickly, with many hands taking part.

The highlight of the day...the final round of the Bocce Ball Tournament...resumed after dinner. Spectators eagerly lined the sidelines of center court, rooting on (and/or taunting) the finalists. In the end, the winning team of the 2025 SYC Bocce Ball Tournament was...(drum roll)...Francois Desrochers, Michelle Luke, Mark Sexton, and Colin Cary (a guest at the Luau, but now a Member!). Their names will be emblazoned in perpetuity on the coveted SYC Bocce Ball Tournament trophy. The rest of us will just have to "Wait until next year!"

Great time, great location...we look forward to next year's Luau Cruise!
       
       
                      
   


EXTENDED CRUISE
July 14 - 20
(Recap)

The typical SYC Extended Cruise is, generally, a loosely organized "cruise" or collection of cruises. At the conclusion of the Luau Cruise (aka Pig Roast), boats would come, go, connect and reconnect at distant destinations, often without defined itineraries. This year's Extended Cruise saw boats venture north to Desolation and beyond. Others stayed closer, visiting various Gulf Islands and/or BC ports and anchorages before heading home. Here are just a few itineraries (and participants) of those who "extended" their cruises after leaving Port Browning:
  • Pat & Bob Simpson, Jim & Margo Davis, Geoff & Jennifer Nunns, and Paul Dumbleton & Cathie Gambling rendezvoused a short distance away at Montague Harbor (Galiano Is.) for two days, where they enjoyed the margaritas, food and ice cream offered at the marina, and going for hikes to the nearby Provincial Park. Potluck appies and drinks in the cockpit of the Simpson's sailboat (Phase 2) the second evening was an opportunity for some quiet, quality social time together. After Montague Harbor, this group went different ways...some home, some "who knows where?" Meanwhile, the Simpson's were off to Port Sidney (Vancouver Is.), taking in Buchart Gardens and Sidney town before heading back to the US and some "luxury" at Roche Harbor.
  • Meanwhile, Kevin & Karen Anthony and Mike & Wendy Moriarty were much more adventurous. They, too, hit Montague Harbor where, after an invigorating moped excursion about Galliano Island, they briefly connected on the dock with the Simpson's (while eating ice cream cones). The Anthony's and Moriarty's then headed for Ganges (Salt Spring Is.), and rented a car to explore the island, visiting the Salt Spring Island Cheese and the Tuesday Market at the park. Next, it was off to Sidney Spit and the Sidney Harbour area before crossing back into the US, stopping at Sucia Is. on the way home.
  • Others had different "Extended Cruises" but, unfortunately the details are unknown...details that exist in the minds and Cruise Log Books of the participants...memories.
And, that's how Extended Cruises go...people and boats coming and going, casually meeting up and sharing adventures along the way. Nice!
                  
On the Hook Cruise Logo


ON THE HOOK CRUISE
July 25 - 27
(Recap)

The "On the Hook" cruise was just that...boats were anchored in calm waters, beautiful scenary, and pure peacefulness...no party tents, shore power, people walking by, etc. Roughing it? Maybe, but a nice change. It was, however, a rough ride to Garrison Bay (San Juan Is.) on Friday, July 29, but once there, it was beautiful!

The cruise was well-attended...seven boats (14 people): The Grace (Jason & Kirsten Sloan); Dreams (Jeff & Lisa Lee); Maritime (Vince & Wendy Hill); Endless Dreams (James & Angee Bolick); Encore (Jim & Margo Davis); Wild Sky (Kevin Phillips & Jessica Dewey); and Dare To Dream (Bryan & Sandy Jones) .

Jason & Kirsten were great Hosts, holding evening festivities aboard the welcoming spaces of The Grace. On Friday, they hosted the group with appetizers onboard. Then, so everyone could get their "landlegs" back, they served up an amazing breakfast on the beach Saturday morning.

English Camp, with its "Pig War" history, not only provided everyone with an interesting "interlude" between meals, it gave them an opportunity to hit the Gift Shop. So, if they didn't already have something, they could buy a British-themed tee shirt (or other regalia) to get into the cruise's theme..."The British Invasion". Cruise participants also had the option to costume themselves to reflect the musical groups of "the British Invasion" of the 1960's, or mix the two.

When the group gathered on The Grace for Saturday's dinner, everyone was appropriately attired. Jason's outfit was voted "Best Costume"...a well-deserved award it was, for the group learned that he and Kirsten "sacrificed" celebrating their anniversary in another way in order to organize and host this cruise. Good on ya', Jason & Kirsten! Following dinner, people settled in to visit and, in the course of the evening, told some very compelling "by the grace of God" stories about their most memorable boating "adventures".

As billed,the "On the Hook" cruise was a "not to be missed" cruise.

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