CONTACT US    MEMBER LOGIN

Cruising Events


Seattle Yacht Club has various types of cruising events for its members scheduled throughout the year. Some are high-end bashes with themes and costumes, while others are low-key gatherings of like-minded boaters, both sail and power.

The table below presents summaries of most of the repeating events. Dates for each event are found in the Cruising/Cruising Calendar (logged-in members only). Clicking on the event in the calendar generally displays the cruise details and sign-up information. Often sign-ups are only allowed after a stated date and some of the larger events have limits as to the number of people who can register. Events are advertised two to three months in advance in the Binnacle magazine and a few weeks ahead in the online CompassNEWS newsletter (these links are for logged-in members only).
       

Event

Summary Description

 A-I Rendezvous

Usually held in mid August, the Active Intermediates rendezvous takes place at the Port Madison outstation, close by Seattle. The event is family-oriented and has plenty of competition and games for adults and children. Often music and dancing are featured in the afternoon and evenings.

Budget Gourmet Cruise

To experience the beauty of the South Sound please join us on our “South Sound Budget Gourmet Cruise”, normally held in late July or early August. Learn for yourself what we have available so close to home. This cruise is designed to expose you to a great cruising area that is often overlooked. The Washington State Parks System has numerous facilities located throughout South Puget Sound and you will find these inlets and passages relatively uncrowded. As the word Budget implies, this cruise features eating out at local pubs and restaurants and on-board potlucks.

Chili Cook-Off

Start off winter cruising to nearby Port Madison on Presidents' Day in February. This is a competitive chili-cooking event guaranteed to take the winter chill out of your bones! Our SYC Chili Cook-off is a special opportunity for you to put your chili up against others in friendly competition. For those who love to eat, it’s all about the camaraderie, fun, and food.

Commodore's Cruise

Held in August, this is all about fun; point to point racing, BBQs, visiting our outstations, shopping, eating, a star raft, green boxes, BBQs, lead sinker pancakes and on and on….This biennial event has consistently been a great time for sailboats and powerboats alike. Come for the week and continue your trip north with the Sunshine Coast Cruise immediately following the Commodores Cruise.

Garlic Festival

In March, following the tradition of the Chili Cookoff, we turn to garlic as our remedy to gloomy winter weather. For those who like to add a little spice to their life and their food, this is the event. Garlic, garlic, everywhere! The annual Garlic Festival provides you the perfect reason to start up those engines and shake out those sails -- boats like to be used, bellies like great food and we all enjoy the great company of our SYC friends! If your boat is stowed away for the winter, join us by car, foot, or ferry at the Port Madison outstation.

Gourmet Cruise

Held in August, the Gourmet Cruise is the top-end dining cruise of the season. The cruise director selects several top notch restaurants in the Canadian Gulf Islands and in the San Juans for fine dining and visits to local wineries and breweries. The greenboxes are to die for and are a chance to display your own cooking capabilities.

Henry Island Fourth Of July

The 4th of July BBQ at Henry Island outstation is one of the largest rendezvous of the year. Enjoy the beautiful San Juan Islands and join your fellow boaters for ribs, hamburgers, and all of the rest. Many cruisers continue on north to continue their summer cruise.

International Golf Cruise

This July or August cruise is for the golfers in the club. The fleet visits several courses in the Canadian Gulf Islands for spirited team competition for all levels of golfers. This is an excellent way to combine your enjoyment of both yachting and golfing.
Leukemia Cup

Let’s do something good with our great sport! SYC is a proud participant of the annual Leukemia Cup Regatta to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There are many high-quality charities in our boating area, and we've been working together with this one for several years to do something good as a broad expression of our community that's noticeable and fits with our style.

NorPac

NorPac is a fun, cruiser-style regatta held biennially in Vancouver Island’s beautiful Barkley Sound. See the Cruising Calendar for more details. All, including non-members, are welcome but space is limited to 30 boats! We especially welcome those who want an introduction to the wild side of Vancouver Island with the comfort of a congenial group of sailors.

Potlatch

Held in early June at Port Madison, this event is designed for kids, kids, and kids. Games, races, and fun things are the rule for the day. Many of the events are parent/child activities and everyone from toddlers upwards can have fun. Always full, sign-up early.

Powerboat Rendezvous

This is the premier powerboat social event of the year and draws over 50 boats to Port Madison. It is a theme event with prizes for those best dressed for the occasion. It starts Friday afternoon with a greenbox party and continues Saturday with lawn games, pickle ball tournaments, horseshoes, and a grand banquet Saturday night with prizes and more fun. Don’t miss it! Sunday morning finishes the weekend with a hearty breakfast in the clubhouse.
Sailboat Rendezvous

Held Summer and Fall at Port Madison, the low-key Sailboat Rendezvous is a great event for families and weekend sailors. Casual sailing race over and back. No flying sails. Ratings adjusted to favor slower boats. Inverted starts so you and maybe one other boat start together. Super green box. Games, Music, BBQ.

Sunshine Coast Cruise

 This biennial Power/Sail cruise immediately follows the Commodore's Cruise. Extend the fun and see parts of the Strait of Georgia you may not  have seen before. See the Cruising Calendar for details.
Winter/Spring Cruise Series
(Mini-Cruises)		 These are informal and fun Mini-Cruises to nearby ports for Power & Sail. AI's are encouraged to attend; kids welcome. If there are small craft warnings, the event is cancelled. This is classified as a semi-official non-event event which means there is no charge for TONS of fun and adventure. Always bring a Greenbox; usually starts around 1730. Dinner is potluck or at a local restaurant. See the "Cruising Calendar" for dates, themes and destinations.
   
 Last updated Tuesday, November 21, 2017