scroll down

25 - 27 April

Adapted from Martin Mollat’s post in Pacific NW Catalinas’ Facebook group www.facebook.com

For four sun-drenched days at Roche Harbor, Washington, a vibrant flotilla of sailboats transformed the quiet marina into a scene straight out of a Jimmy Buffett song. With 27 boats participating and a “Margaritaville” theme setting the tone, the 2025 Catalina Rendezvous was a floating celebration of community, color, and camaraderie.

From the moment the boats began arriving—Catalinas sailing in solo or in small clusters—the harbor came alive. Diners at the waterfront restaurants paused to watch as vessels maneuvered into slips with varying degrees of grace. With bright shorts, colorful flags, and plenty of good-natured banter, the group made its presence known immediately.

Their unofficial kickoff, dubbed "Appy Hour," filled the docks with laughter and the clinking of glasses, foreshadowing a festive weekend ahead.

Despite a few slow-moving mornings—perhaps thanks to the welcome Margaritas—activities ran on schedule. Safety checks and sailing seminars took place alongside raffles and dockside chatter. One standout event, the Boat Hop, blended socializing with structure: each participant hosted one group and visited two others, in tightly timed 30-minute intervals. The airhorn, responsible for keeping the hop on track, became something of a character itself. It was a hit—part speed dating, part open house, all fun.

As guests warmed up to one another, the mood shifted seamlessly into a relaxed groove. The wine and beer tasting that followed the boat hop played like a perfectly planned encore. With music, impromptu singing, and the occasional story being told for the third time, the evening captured the spirit of the weekend—laid-back, a little bit loud, and full of joy.

Windy conditions brought a bit of drama the next day, just in time for a women’s docking clinic. Gusts reached 25 knots, but that didn’t deter the sailors, who navigated tight spaces and challenging conditions with confidence. Onlookers—some from a concurrent luxury yacht rendezvous—watched in admiration as the women maneuvered their boats with impressive control.

Later that day, practical knowledge took center stage. A first-aid seminar drew attention for both its content and its timeliness, as a participant had suffered an injury earlier in the weekend. A technical roundtable followed, turning the docks into a floating classroom as attendees shared repairs, upgrades, and lessons learned from their own nautical trials and triumphs.

Saturday night was all about style. The dockside potluck dinner showcased not just impressive dishes from tiny galleys but also full embrace of the Margaritaville aesthetic. Loud shirts, leis, inflatable parrots, and themed decor made the evening feel like a tropical escape. Awards for best-dressed and best-themed boats added a playful competitive edge, while a spirited gift exchange rounded out the night with laughter and just a hint of gift-stealing strategy.

By Sunday morning, the marina had quieted. Coffee and donuts marked the close of the rendezvous as boats slipped away, some heading home and others embarking on longer journeys. Still, the energy lingered. For those who watched the event unfold—locals, neighboring cruisers, and curious tourists—the rendezvous was more than a gathering. It was a reminder of what draws people to the water in the first place: connection, adventure, and a sense of belonging that transcends the lines on a map.

photos Rachael England