The Catalina Rendezvous at the Isthmus on Catalina Island. Photo courtesy Catalina Yachts.
1ST ANNUAL SOUTHERN CATALINA RENDEZVOUS Celebrating 25 years of Catalina Rendezvous Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club, Tampa Bay, FL, Nov. 9-12
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wenty-five years ago, Catalina owners held the first Catalina rendezvous in Southern California in 1982. A few years later, the rendezvous was moved to the Isthmus on Catalina Island off the coast of California and has become one of the most popular sailboat rendezvous in the country. The event has grown steadily every year, and this year 143 boats and about 400 people attended. Although there are several smaller rendezvous held by local Catalina owners around the country, the one at Mystic, CT—held each August—is the largest one after the Catalina Island one. Catalina Yachts management and Catalina owners have talked about a Southern rendezvous for years—especially since the main factory has now grown to be in Largo, FL, in the Tampa Bay area. This year that all came together, and the Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club (TITYC) agreed to host the event. For many years, the Tampa Bay yacht club has hosted the Morgan Rendezvous, except for the last two years when it was hosted by the Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa. That was because the Treasure Island club has been building a new club building, which was recently completed. The club is ideal with a great pool patio, tiki bar, lots of dockage and a good basin that the club sits in for boats to anchor in—and close enough to easily dinghy to. The rendezvous is open for all to come to and Catalina owners or anyone interested who cannot bring their boats are invited to arrive by car. Event tickets, which include meals and other amenities, are open to everyone, boat owners or not. Events this year will start with a Friday afternoon reception and party, with food, drink and music scheduled. Saturday morning—after breakfast at the club—will be equipment and systems seminars put on by suppliers and News & Views for Southern Sailors
manufacturers. The rest of the day will be filled with events including a blindfold dinghy race and a chance for boat owners to show off their unique systems, gear installations and customizations of their Catalinas. Prizes will be given for the boat traveling the farthest to get there, most decorated boat, etc. There will be a dinner and party that evening. Sunday will be more of a laid-back day, starting with another club breakfast. Attendees will be able to swim, play tennis at the club courts, golf locally or visit the local area. A sunset beach bon voyage party is scheduled for the late afternoon and early evening at the nearby Gulf beach. Monday will be the final day of departure. Raffles with prizes will be held all weekend. Registration closes on Monday, Nov. 5. For lots more information and to register, go to www.catalina yachts.com and at www.catalina.tityc.com. You can also register at the Strictly Sail St. Pete Boat Show at the Catalina docks on Nov. 1-4.
SOUTHWINDS November 2007
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