Thanks to fellow Woody Boater Ron Stevenson, we get to see something completely different today. It’s the 2011 Pacific Northwest Chris-Craft Rendezvous from beautiful Port Orchard, Washington – near Seattle. Reported to be the largest gathering of Chris-Craft Cruisers in the world. Ron reported that there were 63 Cruisers in attendance this year.
Here’s some information about the popular event from the official Pacific Northwest Chris-Craft Rendezvous web site…
The purpose of the rendezvous is to provide an opportunity for Chris-Craft owners and their families to share the pride and enjoyment of the boats they love. All Chris-Crafts are welcome regardless of size, age, model, construction material or condition. The focus is on fun, cameradery and, of course, our Chris-Crafts.
Visitors to the Poulsbo Marina in July of 1981 were intrigued by a small raft-up of classic wooden Chris-Crafts anchored in front of the waterfront park. Five member vessels of the Chris-Craft Antique Boat Club were holding the first ever Puget Sound Chris-Craft gathering. As the lovely old boats posed for photos, no one present would have ever dreamed that an immense Pacific Northwest Chris-Craft Rendezvous would one day be born, and would grow into the great event we now know. As far as we can tell, this is the largest gathering of Chris-Crafts in the world.
To read more about the history of the event you can click here to go directly to their web site.
I had the pleasure of attending this event in 2004 & 2005 and was very impressed not only by the number of boats on hand, but also how friendly the owners and organizers were. You expect to see these old classic cruisers in areas like the Great Lakes Region of the United States or up and down the east coast, closer to where they were first built back in the day. But it’s just great to see how many of these boats still exist in the waters of the Pacific Northwest.
These days we often here stories about many old classic cruisers that are in need of some attention and looking for a good home, so you have to appreciate the folks that lovingly maintain these cruisers and provide good homes for them.
Taken on “ITCHIN”, a 1953 35′ Chris-Craft Commander owned by Ron Stevenson. Left to right; Liz Gregory, guest; Craig Magnusson, Dean Panayi, Karl Hoffman, Dick Dow. Dean is here from Australia; looking at a CC Red & White that Dick knows about which is for sale. (Dick Dow recently assisted Woody Boater as a technical advisor & is a local wooden boat historian)
Below is the 2011 Chris-Craft Rendezvous Award for Skippers Choice – This very stylish 1967 52′ Constellation “Title Wave” owned by Pete & Kathy Murphy of Bellevue, Wa. (Notice the tender dangling off “Title Wave’s” stern – Wonder what it is? Mr. Dow?)
This year’s winner for Most Improved was “Almesa” a 1960 40′ Chris-Craft Conqueror which is owned by Steven Perovich of Lakebay, WA.
Below is another shot of Ron Stevenson’s classic 1953 35′ Chris-Craft Commander “ITCHIN”.
Peoples Choice Award for Best Glass – “epiDemick” a cool 1969 42′ Chris-Craft Commander Sport Fisher owned By Tom Demick from Bellevue, WA.
Peoples Choice Award for Best Wood (below) – “Anna Marie” an immaculate 1960 36′ Constellation Express owned by John & LeaAnn Goodfellow, Redmond, Wa.
Another shot of “Anna Marie” with her award on the deck.
Also, the Award for “Boat Furthest Traveled” came from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- People furthest traveled came from Florida and even Australia!
- It was estimated there was over one half mile of cruisers here!
For more info see http://www.chriscraftrendezvous.com/
From Port Orchard, Washington; home of the 22nd Chris-Craft Rendezvous, July 7-10. Ron Stevenson aboard ITCHIN’ ; 1953 35′ Commander.
Great Live-ish Report from Port Orchard, Washington – Thanks Ron! We also have to say thanks to the organizers, the many volunteers and the sponsors which continue to make this event the one of the best in the country.
Texx
I love those big cruisers.
Sounds like a really fun event! Not to mention all the comforts of home right there on every boat! Gotta add this one to the list too!
Matt just when you thought you had narrowed it down HA HA those butiful
wallet chewing crusiers make an apperance. Betsy was stripped of all of her hardware last wk and will be stripped and dipped over the next two weeks.
Looking for the party that may have purchased a 1950 s 54 ‘ Chris named “West Fjord” from Gig Harbor, Wa.
She belonged to friends and I remember having a great time in the Puget Sound.
The tender hanging off the back of “Title Wave” is a Fletcher, built in Port Angeles several years ago – About 12′, single cockpit, powered by a jetski setup of some sort. Fletcher built a number of really nice runabouts – I’m not sure if he’s still at it or not, but they are stylish, perform well and are nicely done.
Thanks Dick – I knew you would know about the tender.