News

Aug. - Sep. 2025 Cruise & Land Events (Recaps)

EXPLORE THE TOWN CRUISE August 8 - 10 Deer Harbor, Orcas Is. (Recap)

About face...forward march! Such was the message from Fleet Captain, Jason Sloan, after learning the County dock at East Sound, Orcas Island had been removed for repairs and there was no way for tenders to access the town. Jason astutely shifted the "Explore the Town Cruise" destination to Deer Harbor (Orcas). With much to offer, Deer Harbor was a great pivot. Its Marina Store & Grill (burgers, ice cream, groceries, gifts, etc.), fuel, pumpout, pizza and BBQ smokehouse restaurants nearby, pool access, freshly made mini-donuts on the weekend, a small local craft fair, walking trails, and much more kept everyone happy. Cruise hosts Lisa and Jeff Lee arranged a potluck dockside appies gathering for arrival day and a light dockside breakfast the next morning that featured Cinnabon cinnamon rolls. They also secured the Deer Harbor Marina party dock the next day for a pizza night, supplemented by more appies and salads supplied by Members. As if that wasn't enough food, some of us managed to sneak off at various times to have smoked brisket at Mathew's Smokehouse, just up the road from the marina. In order to burn off calories (see above), a large group went on a very pleasant road and trail walk along the cliffs above East Sound, that included a rare sighting of a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing". The route eventually, led inland through a nice pastoral setting before looping back to the marina. A few hours later, however, we "refueled" ourselves with several takeout pizzas from The Island Pie pizza shop! After downing the pizzas and feeling "full of it", we all joined in on a "high stakes" game of Left-Right-Center. Everyone put in three $5 bills (USD) instead of the usual three $1 bills. Ask Jeff Lee how that went! Members on the "Explore the Town Cruise" were: Fred Bonin & Sabrina Hendrixs (Boneventure); Bill & Pat Clopp (Over Budget); Bryan & Sandy Jones (Dare To Dream); Jeff & Lisa Lee (Dreams); Dennis & Ian (son) Sherrer (Journey) ; and Bob & Pat Simpson (Phase 2). Deer Harbor was a big hit!

LABOR DAY CRUISE Aug. 29 - Sep. 1 Fisherman Bay, Lopez Is. (Recap)

After spending the night before on the hook at Shaw Island, a flotilla of three SYC boats pulled into Fisherman's Bay, Lopez Island for the "Labor Day Cruise". Riding a high tide and watching their bearings carefully, the group arrived and departed Fisherman Bay without mishap. Attending were: Kevin & Karen Anthony (Salish Dream), Mike & Wendy Moriarty (Nellie Too), and John Stone & Nicki Germain (Blue Bear). What they lacked in numbers, and without an official Host, these six SYC Members took advantage of opportunities as they presented themselves. On arrival, our SYC cruisers were "adopted" by members of the Wheel and Keel Yacht Club out of Bellingham. Through a mutual acquaintance (not present), the Wheel and Keel YC members were made aware that our SYC group was coming in for the weekend. They invited our Members to join their happy hour activities that evening for some fun socializing. The next day, our SYC group took in the Lopez Island Farmer's Market and, later that evening, had dinner at The Islander. All in all, it was a very fulfilling cruise.

CRAB FEED September 13 (Recap)

Like previous Crab Feeds, the 2025 Crab Feed did not fail to deliver! The afternoon started with a vibrant social hour, complete with a plethora of appetizers and chips. After a poetic maritime "blessing" offered by member Charles Oliver III, 40 hungry Members and guests proceeded to feast on as much crab as they wanted, along with 11 filets of locally-caught coho salmon (seasoned and slow-cooked in foil wrap by "chef" Jeff Lee), corn on the cob, potato, macaroni and green salads, rolls, and dessert. No one left this Crab Feed with an empty stomach! An assortment of gift items were given away as door and raffle prizes...and, then, bags and bags and bags of fresh crab found their way home with lucky ticket holders. Hosts Bryan and Sandy Jones express their sincere appreciation for the tremendous amount of help they received on the Crab Feed...from set up, decorations, food preparation and serving...to cleanup at the end. Thank you all who volunteered. Many hands made for light work and a fun event for all.

END OF SUMMER CRUISE September 19 - 20 Fossil Bay, Sucia Is. (Recap)

The End of Summer Cruise proved to be another smooth "pivot" by the Club. Fleet Commander Jason Sloan found out a week or so before the cruise that many Members planning to go on the cruise would have dogs onboard...dogs that needed to access land a few times a day! But, there was a problem...at Parks Bay there is no place where boaters are permitted to go ashore due to environmental sensitivities. So, the decision was made to move the cruise to Fossil Bay (Sucia Island). And, a great decision it was, as it opened the door for more Members to participate. Attending this cruise were: Bob & Kim Giles, Jeff & Brenda Grey, Bryan & Sandy Jones, Vince & Sandy Lalonde, Jeff & Lisa Lee (Hosts), Bob & Pat Simpson, and Ray & Marty Williams. The usual welcome day, potluck "heavy appetizer" event, was held dockside because of the great weather. Organized by the Lees, it was well-attended and much appreciated. The next morning, the Simpsons put on a dockside breakfast featuring Pat's homemade blueberry muffins, homemade zucchini muffins, yogurts, fruits, granola, and juice. The final day's dinner, featuring homemade chili supplied by the Lees, was a big hit...as were the cookies and "fancy chocolate" smores. Open fires were not permitted during our stay on Sucia, but the propane-fueled firepit brought by the Lees saved the day on more than one occasion...providing warmth, atmosphere, and for smores making. With plenty of time to explore Sucia, most everyone went off in different directions on hikes each day. As big as the island is, and the variety of trails, it was amazing that we crossed paths with one another somewhere or another on the island. For hiking variety, Sucia has it all. We will be back!

Canadian Thanksgiving Cruise (Oct. 11-14) Port Browning Marina, Pender Is., BC This cruise, so popular with SYC members in 2024, was cancelled. Forecasts of poor weather and the subsequent low number of boats registered led to the decision to cancel the cruise...hoping for better circumstances in 2026!