The Grand Banks Owner's Journal - Grand Banks Yachts

PHOTOS
Opposite (clockwise
from top):
> The fleet heads
north
> Dogs aplenty,
including this cute
Canadian pooch
> Fresh Dungeness
crab is available
dockside
> The esteemed
Hotel de Haro overlooks
the harbor
This page:
>Unwitting GB
model and
Singapore Trip
raffle winner,
Ruby Stamnes
P U G E T POWER
W I T H OV E R 12 0 B OAT S , 3 0 0 P E O P L E , LOA D S O F K I D S , A N D D O G S GA LO R E
T H I S Y E A R ' S P U G E T S O U N D R E N D E Z VO U S R A N KS A S O N E O F T H E B E S T E V E R .
Puget Sound is home to the world’s largest Grand
Banks Owners Association, and members of
the group came out in force this May at the
2005 rendezvous. A PSGBOA-record 122 boats were
in attendance, transforming the beautiful resort of
Roche Harbor, Washington into one enormous GB
showroom.
A full spectrum of GB yachts, from expertly-maintained
woodies to gleaming new Eastbays, were proudly
on display. There were even a few Alaskan models,
the beautiful wood-hulled raised pilothouse yachts
American Marine built decades before the Aleutian
Series was launched.
One of the highlights of the event was the Boat
Improvement contest, where owners shared many unique
ideas and innovations they brought to their own boats.
The panel of judges had a tough time deciding between
the many great enhancements to accommodations,
mechanical and electrical systems, galleys, decor and
other owner inspirations.
Another favorite among attendees was the First Mates’
Training conducted by PassageMaker Yachts. The
Seattle-based GB dealer brought several yachts to the
rendezvous, and used to the opportunity to hold handson
boat handling seminars on both single- and twinscrew
models. Big cheers and proud smiles marked
their growing confidence as participants moved in and
out of slips and practiced maneuvers in tight fairways.
Everyone was ready for the next cruising adventure.
There were many other seminars, from informative
lectures to panel discussions to practical demonstrations.
Although the rendezvous was heavily attended and filled
with things to do, PSGBOA Rendezvous Chair Susan
Bland expertly orchestrated the three-day event so that
owners never felt rushed or overwhelmed by it all. It
helped that Roche Harbor provided such a stunning
backdrop, and at dinner on the final evening owners
lingered to enjoy the sunset colors that blossomed over
the rows and rows of Grand Banks.
One final highlight of the 2005 rendezvous was the
announcement of the raffle winners, which included
a trip sponsored by Grand Banks Yachts to Singapore
for a chance to tour its factories there and in nearby
Malaysia. The excited winners were Paul and Michelle
Stamnes. Not only do they own a GB42, Madrona, and
have had other Grand Banks in the family, they even
gave their daughter the middle name “Banks.”
Like the rendezvous itself, it goes to show what a strong
and proudly loyal group of Grand Banks owners reside
in Puget Sound!
SPRAY • V5I2 SUMMER • 9