RENDEZVOUS

[Terry]

Is it to early to start thinking about 2009?

I'm guessing from the lack of communication here that nothing is going on for this year.

There are already 3-4 Alcans/Alwest on Sturgeon Lake and they are roughly at the half way point on the Trent-Severn system. I'm thinking this might be a good area to meet up some long weekend in 2009. Easily reachable for us guys on the system and maybe a good chance for you St. Lawrence River guys to stretch out a holiday.
They have an amazing street in Bobcageon... It includes a liquor store, beer store, Granny's Tarts and the best fish and chips you've ever eaten. Why wouldn't we meet there?

I'm thinking a group shot of 8 to 10 Alcans rafting off each other at an anchorage....

Lets spread the word and get some new members to this site/forum and see how many "Alcaners" we can get together.

[dpearson]

OK, OK we need a 2008 rendezvous

This Summer has not worked out particularly well for me. But the rest of you shouldn't suffer as a result. I propose that we have a 2nd annual rendezvous this summer but, given the short notice, we don't place too much pressure on anyone to show up. Instead, the few boats that are available plan out a much more substantial event for 2009 and we make every effort to spread the word to make it a successful event.

Plans for 2008
For those that are available, I propose that we meet somewhere in the Gananoque area on the weekend of August 16, 17. Through forum posts and emails, I hope we can get a handful of boats together. we will plan some details around a 2009 event and do everything we can to make it a success. I will send out an email to the known Alcan Boat owners to see what we can accomplish this year. If you are able to attend I would be most pleased. If not, I will chalk it up to bad planning.


More to follow.
David

[Rob]

For 2009, I like the idea of putting some long range planning into this and maybe getting a significant group assembled
at some relatively central point.

For 2008, the weekends are coming and going fast !
Being likely the closest to Gananoque, I like the idea of a gathering in this area
but . . . . we have a prior all-day commitment for Saturday August 16th
Given the short notice, and perhaps some who might consider driving in just to meet,
maybe a brunch/lunch BBQ on Sunday August 17th in the Gan area would work ??
We could make use of the 3 hrs free at the Gan municipal dock (as we did last year), for those coming by boat.

Rob

[Terry]

I think the crew of the good ship MasterCard III could make it to Gananoque on the 17th of August.
We would obviously be coming overland but would like to meet everyone, see their boats and swap some lies.
We'll stay tuned here to see what develops and make plans accordingly.

[GOVAN]

My wife, Ruth and I, would very much like to travel by car to Gananoque to meet and see some of the Members of our exclusive Alcan/Alwest club. It would be a 500 kilometer trip for us. We would probably travel on Saturday, spend Sunday there and go home on Monday. I am sure there must be a motel/hotel handy to the area.

Brian - SIOUX

[dpearson]

Gang

Well, it sounds as though there is a bit of interest. I will do an email blitz to those that do not participate in the forum. I propose we carry on with some sort of rendezvous over the weekend of August 16/17. Given that a number of people may be coming over land how about we plan on getting together for lunch on both days. Some may make Saturday, some may make Sunday, some may make both. I will type up an email with some more details, but let's declare the 2nd annual Alcan Boat St. Lawrence Rendezvous officially on.

Looking forward to seeing those that can make it.
David

[Rob]

All:
Gananoque is a summer tourist town so there are lots of places to stay for those travelling by land.
Although many may be booked . . . .
Towards the east end is the Casino and lots of motels. ( A 10 minute drive to the harbour, but a long walk!)
Towards the west end are a number of other motels. ( maybe a 3 minute drive to the harbour)
The harbour is central and the best choice for accommodation and lunch on at least one day
would be the Gananoque Inn. Right on the waterfront and perhaps a 10 minute walk from the harbour.
The restaurant has reasonable fare and a large patio, but needs to be booked ahead due to its proximity to the
Boat Tours which are a huge draw in Gananoque. Buses by the dozen sometimes.

David:
It is really good to see that you are sorting out the tech issues with the web site.
. . . . and good to see new boats and new interest.
We "regulars" REALLY apppreciate the venue that you have created for us !!

Rob

[Low Risk]

Hello and thank you for the warm welcome. We noticed that we are officially on the Registry as an Alwest. I guess it was obvious to someone what our housecruiser actually is. We see enough similarities/differences to only confuse us.

One of the noticeable differences for us is the location of the sliding door on some of the housecruisers. Our door slides on the outside. We noticed that some doors slide on the inside too.

Getting back to the Rendezvous in August 16/17. Ron and I would be interested in meeting some of the Alcan/Alwest Club members. We are thinking that we would drive there and perhaps stay overnight in a local hotel/motel? The trip by water is too ambitious for us this soon. We have only had the cruiser out a couple of times this summer, so we really don't know it well enough to cut across Lake Ontario to the Thousand Islands.

So count us in for any further information about this year's Rendezvous.

Wendy

[GOVAN]

I tried to book a room [double beds] at the Gananoque Inn for the 15,16, and 17 August. They do not have a room with double beds available. I looked on the Internet to see what else is available - nothing really struck me as being comparable to the Inn. Can anyone make a recommendation. We will arrive late on the 15th and depart early on the 18th.

Brian - SIOUX

[Rob]

Hi Brian,

Gananoque is a relatively small place. 10 mins from one side to the other if you are driving.
Any of the "chain" hotels (Holiday Inns etc) are new or refurbished because of the new Casino business nearby.
If you google Gananoque Hotels, you will find a number of alternatives.

Rob

[GOVAN]

We booked into the Holiday Inn Express. It appeared on the Internet to be a nice place.
Brian - SIOUX

[limitless]

Re: rendezvous 2008 it is something that interests us, but seeing that our 2008 calendar is booked solid till mid September, we are interested in perhaps 2009 please keep us informed via postings.
Limitless

[Low Risk]

Hi Terry

Ron and I are interested in meeting other members of the Alcan/Alwest club on the weekend of August 16/17th. We have not yet booked accommodation yet. We are interested in any information update.

Wendy

[GOVAN]

I hope there will be someone to talk to over the weekend when we get to Gananoque? Is anyone still interested in a meeting? There is not much happening on this site?

Brian - SIOUX

[Low Risk]

Contact David Pearson at dpearson@icebergnetworks.com or webmaster@alcanboats.com ....for Sat & Sun meeting arrangements.
We will be arriving on Saturday sometime before noon at the Gananoque Day moorage dock (416.877.3484).

[Terry]

The crew of the MasterCard III look forward to meeting everyone. We'll be arriving (overland) around 10:00 am Sunday morning. Are we going out for brunch or a pot-luck thing? Hope we get a sizable group together.

[Terry]

Hey Wendy/Ron,
You guys gonna make it this weekend? I hope we get a good crowd.
Who else is joining in?

[dpearson]

Folks

The 2008 Alcan Boats St. Lawrence Rendezvous is definitely on. I have had better response than expected given the short notice. I have three boats confirmed and 2 families confirmed to arrive by road. There are a couple more boats and several more families that are on the fence. This year should be bigger than last year. It still won't be huge, but I would like to use this year to plan out a 2009 event that brings together a substantial gathering of Alcan/Alwest boats.

We are gathering at the Gananoque public dock around 10:00AM both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. I will provide the main course for lunch both days (BBQ sausages and hamburgers) and will look to the visitors to provide snacks and deserts. I hope to head out for a cruise Saturday afternoon to get everyone boating and will hopefully do a dinner in the islands. We will look for overnight moorage for the boats later in the day.

If you are arriving by boat, please call Buster on Ch-16 or call me by cell at 613-292-7950.

Looking forward to seeing some Alcan/Alwest owners at the event.

Cheers
David

[Low Risk]

Yes, Wendy and Ron will be there...we are so looking forward to meeting everyone! We will be bringing some pictures of the cruiser to show as we will be arriving by map not by chart. We should get there around noon...ready for the BBQ.

You can count us for a potluck contribution.

Wendy

[Low Risk]

Hello Everyone

Low Risk can only make it for the Saturday session!

Cheers
Wendy

[Terry]

cruise Saturday afternoon to get everyone boating and will hopefully do a dinner in the islands.

Wait a minute... we're not going to pass up a chance for our first 1000 Islands cruise and let you guys go out for a boat ride without us, so the MasterCard crew will join you all Saturday in stead of Sunday. Our plans had been to go to an antique boat show in Hastings Saturday, but we figure if those old boats have lasted this long they will be around next year to see them.
We'll bring along a nice big bag of shrimp to munch on while we're cruising around. And... a few pops for the dock.

Looking forward to seeing everyone.

[Low Risk]

Terry

Are those pops for the dock "Wobbly Pops"?

[Terry]

They make other kinds of pop?

[dpearson]

Well... the 2008 Alcan Boat St. Lawrence Rendezvous is under way. Day 1 had 3 crews with boats and 3 more crews arrive by land. The day was framed by mostly sunny weather, with just enough rain to remind us that the Summer in Ontario has not been the greatest. I will do up a full report next week. Hoping everyone can send pictures.

David

[GOVAN]

Wow! What a wonderful weekend. Such a pleasure to meet all the Members of the "Alcan/Alwest Club". And, such hospitality from the boats at Gananoque. Ruth and I enjoyed every minute of the time spent on and in the boats. The trip around the Thousand Islands was an extreme pleasure and then that was topped by being at anchor and dining with new friends and glorious scenery. Ruth and I cannot thank everyone enough for their kindness.


Brian Govan - SIOUX

[GOVAN]

I wonder if there will be a report of proceedings of the 2008 Rendezvous? Has any more thought gone into 2009 Rendezvous?
It does not seem likely my boat will be sold before next summer. I think I would be prepared to travel to the Trent System via a Lake Huron route [ as opposed to the Wellend Canal/Lake Ontario route.

Brian - SIOUX

[Ellen]

We just bought an alwest 370 this year and if the rendevous is close we will be there. We are near Port Perry On at Port Perry Yacht Club on Lake Scugog. No it is not too early.