The goals of the “Confidence Cruises” are to:
-Build skills in handling a MacGregor under power and under sail
-Build confidence when sailing in inclement weather (wet and/or cold).
– Experience being on deck and conducting deck-work during inclement conditions.
– Experience sailing in cumbersome foul weather gear.
– Practice reefing and balancing the center of effort of a Mac.
– Practice safety precautions such as: tether & jack-lines, heaving-to, swell handling, clothing comforts.
B.O.A.T 101 (Basic Operation And Techniques) is typically planned for April and is a chance for new owners/sailors to go out in one of our member’s boats for a day of sailing and instruction coached by a senior member. It occurs in the protected waters of Indian Arm and provides an introduction to the unique handling characteristics of the MacGregor boats including rigging, launching, slow speed maneuvering, sailing, and crew-over-board recovery.
Fall Open Water MacFoulie is typically planned for October and is a chance for members to sail for a day on a club member’s boat coached by one of our senior members to learn more about sailing a MacGregor/Tattoo boat in “foul weather” conditions in English Bay.
Club Cruises
Spring Regatta – Blaine Harbor Marina This event runs at the Blaine Harbor Marina on the Victoria Day long weekend in May.
Friday night is a meet and greet on the dock. Rigging and launching help is offered for those arriving on trailers and docking help for those arriving by water.
Saturday features a quick seminar on safe boating vessel requirements followed by a safety sail where boats and crew get to practice heaving to, crew-over-board recovery and emergency anchoring drills in a fun format. If you are not confident to try these maneuvers on your own you will be welcome to crew on another boat. Saturday night is a Pot Luck dinner at the marina.
Sunday is a chance to practice sailing your boat through a regatta course and challenge yourself to beat your best time. Sunday night is often another pot luck dinner, or a dinner at a restaurant in town.
MacRendezvous – Union Steamship Marina, Snug Cove, Bowen Island 1st Weekend in June
Friday begins with a 10 nautical mile sail from False Creek, Vancouver to a meet and greet on the dock followed by wine and cheese in the Marina Tower.
The Saturday morning Commodore’s Pancake Breakfast is followed by seminars covering local sailing topics followed by an afternoon sail and Pot Luck Dinner in the Tower.
Commodore’s Cruise – Location TBA Planned around the Canada Day Holiday July 1st
Each year the Commodore leads a cruise to different locations that highlight destinations in the Salish Sea (Georgia Strait) or San Juan Islands. Often these destinations are featuring celebrations of Canada Day and July the 4th as well as farmer’s markets, lamb roasts and other local events. Activities usually include pot luck dinners, day sails and exploration of the location. Flotillas are arranged to provide everyone with an opportunity to safely and enjoyably cruise to and from the destination.
Past Commodore’s Cruise – Location TBA August Long Weekend
Club flotillas will be organized to make sure everyone has a safe crossing of Georgia Strait and into the Gulf or San Juan Islands. Locations are chosen to experience new and interesting locations. Locations will also be coordinated with the Commodore’s Cruise to ensure that our northern (Vancouver Harbour) members and southern (Semiahmoo Bay) members have easy access to at least one of these cruises.
MYCBC Raft-Up – Sucia Island, San Juan Islands, Wa. Labour Day Weekend
We again organize flotillas for a safe and friendly trip for all to the northern most of the San Juan Islands. Club boats have the option of rafting together in the anchorage or anchoring by yourself for a little quieter experience. This is a great introduction to anchoring in an excellent location with lots of experienced members to help you. Once there, the options are endless. Explore the bay by dingy, roam the island’s many paths, and end the day with our pot-luck dinner on the beach.
Club Night Mactivities
Club nights are social evenings that typically occur on the second Friday of February, March, April, May and September. The Annual General meeting is in October and the Year End Dinner and Awards Night is in November. There are no Club Nights in December and January (Christmas break) or June, July and August (summer sailing season). Club nights are Online ZOOM meetings to allow all our members to participate in meetings and the Educational Presentations
7:00-7:45 > “Loose-Ends” (business) planning of club activities
7:45-9:00 > Skipper’s Toolbox. (presentations by club members or guests Topics TBA)
9:00 – ??? > online social time to visit and discuss topics related to our boats
Club Night | “Loose Ends” business | Skippers Toolbox Presentation |
February | Finalizing Details for Club Cruises | TBA |
March | Final Planning for: Spring MacFoulie | TBA |
April | Final Planning for: Regatta | TBA |
May | Final Planning for: Rendezvous, Commodore’s & Past Commodore’s and Sucia | TBA |
September | Final Planning for: Fall MacFoulie, Awards Dinner & AGM | TBA |
October | AGM & Elections | N/A |
November | Year End Awards Banquet | N/A |