The Seventh Annual Deer Harbor Wooden Boat Rendezvous is scheduled for September 2 and 3. The Deer Harbor event is sandwiched between two of the West’s biggest wooden boat gatherings, Victoria’s Wooden Boat Classic, and Port Townsend’s Wooden Boat Festival. It is held the first week of September every year, and hosts 40 to 50 beautiful wooden boats for two days of fun and entertainment.

Wooden boats of all kinds attend the Rendezvous: tiny rowboats, huge motor launches, sail boats and historic tall ships. Wooden boat celebrities like The Martha, and The Adventurous often attend the Rendezvous. Most of the boats moor at the Deer Harbor Marina, and are available for public viewing throughout the two-day gathering.

Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 2, the Rendezvous kicks off with a mostly-for-fun rowboat race, followed by an informal afternoon sailboat race from Deer Harbor to Jones and Island and back. The final event of the evening is the ever popular backyard barbeque held in the cottage gardens of the Deer Harbor BoatWorks on Channel Road. (Carpooling to the barbeque is advised since parking is limited.)

The barbeque menu includes locally caught salmon, locally grown organic produce, ice cream, and what many say is the best homebrewed beer on the west coast. Orcas Island’s favorite band, The Olga Symphony, will provide the musical entertainment.

Wednesday begins with a Captains’ meeting on the dock at the Deer Harbor Marina, and is followed by an open-class sailboat race. Wednesday evening features an awards ceremony and a potluck dinner on the Deer Harbor dock.

To reserve a slip space for the Wooden Boat Rendezvous, call the Deer Harbor Marina at 360-376-3037. Volunteers are always needed during the Rendezvous for a variety to tasks. For more information or to volunteer, contact the Deer Harbor BoatWorks at 360-376-4056.