Tug fest 2009, Bremerton Washington
The First Pacific Northwest Rendezvous!
Back in January, John and Laurie of the "Laurie Ann" put out on the Tugnuts website that we should have a rendezvous with all of the vessels in the PNW. Well, it kind of goes in the same direction as that snowball, downhill from that point on. I agreed with John and proposed dates and places. It was not long and I had a few others agree with the date and location. Somehow or another, I became the leader of this rendezvous! How could that be? We live in Las Vegas Nevada not the PNW! Well, before we knew it, we had 32 boats signed up for the rendezvous. It was a great success with smiling happy boaters all around!
Most folks arrived on Friday afternoon. On Saturday we had 22 boats take the cruise up to Poulsbo. What a sight that must have been, 22 little tugboats coming in to the marina all at the same time! The only thing that could have topped that was the photo shoot from the bridge. Coordinating 22 boats into five lines with no prior arrangements was enough to make any none drinking man into a drinking man! We pulled it off with all boats blowing their horns as we proceeded under the bridge. What could the folks of Bremerton be thinking of us now? After everyone got tied up at the dock, it was time to fire up the BBQ for the big feast. We had Pulled Chicken, Beef, and Pork along with various salads and enough cakes for desert to feed an army. After dinner, the folks from Ranger Tugs held a raffle that insured every boater would win a prize! What a treat!
The rendezvous was such a great success that we have already started planning next years. We already have 11 boats committed and it is still 50 weeks away!
Most folks arrived on Friday afternoon. On Saturday we had 22 boats take the cruise up to Poulsbo. What a sight that must have been, 22 little tugboats coming in to the marina all at the same time! The only thing that could have topped that was the photo shoot from the bridge. Coordinating 22 boats into five lines with no prior arrangements was enough to make any none drinking man into a drinking man! We pulled it off with all boats blowing their horns as we proceeded under the bridge. What could the folks of Bremerton be thinking of us now? After everyone got tied up at the dock, it was time to fire up the BBQ for the big feast. We had Pulled Chicken, Beef, and Pork along with various salads and enough cakes for desert to feed an army. After dinner, the folks from Ranger Tugs held a raffle that insured every boater would win a prize! What a treat!
The rendezvous was such a great success that we have already started planning next years. We already have 11 boats committed and it is still 50 weeks away!
Tug Fest 2010, Bremerton Washington
Ranger Tug Fest September 10th, 11th, and 12th 2010
The planning for “Tug Fest 2010” started even before the “Ranger Tug Rendezvous” of 2009 was over! At one point we had over 50 vessels signed up. But, as we all know, sometimes life can get in the way of boating! We ended up with a total of 41 vessels in attendance for 2010. We also had 18 rooms in the Hampton Inn filled with folks attending “Tug Fest”. Sparky and Joe would be the ones to claim the prize of furthest traveled coming from Virginia. Unfortunately though, Starry Night would not fit in Sparky’s carry on so they were “Boatless in Seattle”!
Steve and Tina would qualify for the furthest towed to attend. Coming from Auburn California with the Christina Bee in tow, they covered 755 miles.
Tim and Kim on board their new R-29 “Hermitage” would be the winners of the furthest traveled via water. Tim and Kim came from Gibsons BC via Friday Harbor in the San Juan’s for a total distance each way of just over 125 miles.
John and Laurie Gray were the first to arrive on the Laurie Ann followed shortly by Steve and Tina and then myself on Karma. We all arrived on Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday saw a good number of boats arrive with the remainder arriving on Friday.
The events started on Friday with a cocktail party and pot luck. People mingled and got to know one another. The weather was a bit overcast with a light breeze blowing.
Saturday broke with scattered clouds and a light breeze. Saturday’s festivities included a how to seminar from MER on changing fuel filters, impellers, oil and filter, water pump belt, and transmission fluid. Bobby is a great teacher and had great patience with all of the questions he received.
The local Coast Guard Auxiliary provided people to for safety checks (90 percent of the vessels present took advantage of this).
At Nita’s suggestion, a number of the ladies brought along their crafts and held a craft fair on Saturday afternoon as well.
Lyman and Janeane put together the highlight of the day with the “build your own race car” out of vegetable races! The kids as well as the adults all had a great time!
Bob once again brought his margarita machine and was busy handing out margarita’s! He even had a couple of “drive ups”!
Unfortunately our photographer had an illness in his family so he was unable to make it for the photo shoot. But no Fears! Bruce and Herb both offered their services of taking the photo from the bridge. We had 21 vessels move in for the shoot. This year’s event proved to not be quite so nerve wracking. We organized the vessels out in the main body of water and then moved in for the photo!
Saturday evening was the big BBQ. We had pulled Pork, Beef, and Chicken complimented by a variety of salads and baked potatoes. Dessert consisted of “Cake Shooters”. As with the prior year the Ranger Tug Crew handed out various door prizes and trinkets to everyone in attendance.
Both Saturday and Sunday morning there was coffee and muffins for all under the tent on the dock.
Sunday morning broke cloudy and very breezy. Most folks choose to depart early as it was going to be a bumpy ride home.
Next year’s event is already in the works. We currently have 31 boats signed up. The dates for “Tug Fest 2011” are September 9th, 10th, and the 11th. Once again it will be held at the Bremerton City Marina.
See you there!
Steve and Tina would qualify for the furthest towed to attend. Coming from Auburn California with the Christina Bee in tow, they covered 755 miles.
Tim and Kim on board their new R-29 “Hermitage” would be the winners of the furthest traveled via water. Tim and Kim came from Gibsons BC via Friday Harbor in the San Juan’s for a total distance each way of just over 125 miles.
John and Laurie Gray were the first to arrive on the Laurie Ann followed shortly by Steve and Tina and then myself on Karma. We all arrived on Wednesday afternoon.
Thursday saw a good number of boats arrive with the remainder arriving on Friday.
The events started on Friday with a cocktail party and pot luck. People mingled and got to know one another. The weather was a bit overcast with a light breeze blowing.
Saturday broke with scattered clouds and a light breeze. Saturday’s festivities included a how to seminar from MER on changing fuel filters, impellers, oil and filter, water pump belt, and transmission fluid. Bobby is a great teacher and had great patience with all of the questions he received.
The local Coast Guard Auxiliary provided people to for safety checks (90 percent of the vessels present took advantage of this).
At Nita’s suggestion, a number of the ladies brought along their crafts and held a craft fair on Saturday afternoon as well.
Lyman and Janeane put together the highlight of the day with the “build your own race car” out of vegetable races! The kids as well as the adults all had a great time!
Bob once again brought his margarita machine and was busy handing out margarita’s! He even had a couple of “drive ups”!
Unfortunately our photographer had an illness in his family so he was unable to make it for the photo shoot. But no Fears! Bruce and Herb both offered their services of taking the photo from the bridge. We had 21 vessels move in for the shoot. This year’s event proved to not be quite so nerve wracking. We organized the vessels out in the main body of water and then moved in for the photo!
Saturday evening was the big BBQ. We had pulled Pork, Beef, and Chicken complimented by a variety of salads and baked potatoes. Dessert consisted of “Cake Shooters”. As with the prior year the Ranger Tug Crew handed out various door prizes and trinkets to everyone in attendance.
Both Saturday and Sunday morning there was coffee and muffins for all under the tent on the dock.
Sunday morning broke cloudy and very breezy. Most folks choose to depart early as it was going to be a bumpy ride home.
Next year’s event is already in the works. We currently have 31 boats signed up. The dates for “Tug Fest 2011” are September 9th, 10th, and the 11th. Once again it will be held at the Bremerton City Marina.
See you there!
