2017 RHMD Rendezvous Summary

IPYOA Team:

Here is a summary of the prep and the events from the 2017 IPYOA Rock Hall Rendezvous. This event was promoted and managed by Hayden and Radeen of IP 35 Island Spirit as a second-year effort to rebuild the Rock Hall Rendezvous. Photos here...
www.ipyoa.com/photos?view=album&aid=2549

Wed, Aug 23, 2017
The Eastern Shore Tents and Events company set up our 30-foot x 45-foot tent along with the tables and wiring for lights and power. The 110 chairs were then set up by several people who were there early to help. Thank you to Ray, IP27 Wye's Guy; Dan and Wanda, IP35 Charis; Steve, IP35 Sans Souci II, and Hayden and Radeen, IP 35 Island Spirit. By the end of the day Wednesday, we had a tent, tables, and chairs. But we were not happy with the condition of the table tops and now realized we needed table coverings.

Thur, Aug 24, 2017
This day was dedicated to setting up and testing the projector, screen placement, adding IPY Battle Flags next to the screen and working out the power feed and projector and laptop table position. With help from the key team of Ray, Steve, Dan, and Wanda, we eventually resolved the screen tie downs to deal with the wind and lighting. The next challenge was the table tops, which to me seemed in really poor shape. Luckily, there is a Dollar General Store in Rock Hall so we bought plastic yellow and blue covers for the 5-foot rounds and 8-foot rectangular tables. We added these covers and used gorilla tape to secure them to the underside of the tables. At this point, the tent looked great and we all were very happy with the setup.

Fri, Aug 25, 2017
Today was dedicated to docking boats, as we had encouraged everyone to sail in on Friday so we all could be here early to enjoy the pool and share in a Potluck Friday night at 6 pm. About 20 of the 27 boats sailing in arrived on Friday. A very big thank you goes out to Ray, IP27 Wye's Guy, who is our Dockmaster, and his capable helpers Steve, IP35 Sans Souci II, Dan, IP35 Charis; and David, IP35 Eau de Vie who did an outstanding job of running up and down the docks, flagging down and guiding boaters into their pre-assigned slips. Dave even had his dinghy in the water to guide and assist if needed. The guys also helped with dock lines and power cords and welcomed everyone to the marina with an information package. Imagine - they were on duty the entire day, docking 20 boats all over the marina, working hard in the hot sun! At 6 pm, we all gathered under the tent to share in a potluck dinner. WOW, what a feast that was for our 65 guests! One outstanding contribution was from Bayly of IP26 Mammy who brought cases of wine, and champagne from his very own vineyard, Boordy Vineyards! He also provided cases of beer from his A&W import company. This was a really a very generous gesture and we all enjoyed his delicious wine, champagne, and beer. After the potluck, Jim of IP38 ULLR sang and played a really mean 5 string bass guitar. We had the honor of Dan of IP 35 Charis making his public debut singing with his guitar. We had a fun time listening to their music and singing along til 11 pm. The evening was a great success!

Sat, Aug 26, 2017
Ray, the Dockmaster, and his team safely docked the last 5 or 6 boats. Many of us, including the new IP factory owners Leslie and Darrell, had fun walking the docks and visiting boats in the marina. Some enjoyed the beautiful pool and others the breezy, comfortable shaded porch. At 2:30 pm, Sam and Marilyn IP 420 Catharpin Blue arrived and we worked with them on the connections and projection of their laptop and Sam experimented with the mic and PA system. By 3:30 we were ready for their keynote presentation of Circumnavigating the Pacific. The event kicked off at 4 pm with Sam and Marilyn presenting their 30,000 nautical mile voyage, departing from Rock Hall MD and heading to the South Pacific. then on to New Zealand, north to Alaska and then south down the Alaskan pan handle to Canada, ending in Puget Sound. After that, they drove across the country to their Virgina home. It was a fantastic presentation with many maps and interesting photos of their voyage. During this time, S&J was setting up their beverage table for everyone to enjoy a glass of wine or a fine beer. Thank you, Sharon and Jack Malatich of S&J Yachts in Rock Hall.

Following the presentation by Sam and Marilyn, we all continued to enjoy the cocktail party and many owners brought snacks and appetizers to share. Thank you to Carol of IP 31 Pepromenon for greeting everyone and asking each boat to sign a thank you card for Madelyn. During this time, the Fish Whistle Catering company of Chestertown MD arrived and set up the buffet line. Their meal of beef brisket and 4 salads was beyond top notch. Everyone raved about the quality of the catered meal and we could not have been happier. Jeffery and his mom, Miss Betty, are so professional and so timely that it was a real pleasure to work with them in planning this event. Next to arrive was the MooMobile Ice Cream truck from Kilby Cream, known for their delicious flavors and generous scoops. The Ice Cream truck was sponsored by Ed and Debbie Whiteaker of Whiteaker Yacht Sales in Palmetto, FL. Ed and Debbie have always donated yearly to support our Island Packet Yacht Owners Association. Thank you, Ed and Debbie, for funding our ice cream truck. It was a big hit!

After ice cream, it was time for the next featured speakers of the event, Sharon and Jack of S&J Yachts and Leslie and Darrel Allen, the new owners of Hake Marine, manufacturers of Seaward. Blue Jacket and Island Packet Yachts. Sharon and Jack introduced their team of yacht brokers: Chris, Jack, Jim, Michele, Ed, and Robin. Next, they introduced Leslie and Darrell who presented a professional talk about the IP factory. They focused on the beautiful advertising pages that will soon appear in many sailing magazines. They gave a very informative photo essay of the production plant, their many long-term workers, and the efficiently consolidated factory facilities. Leslie and Darrell are very sincere and so excited about rebuilding Island Packet Yachts. Bob Johnson is consulting as their naval architect and has designed a brand new Island Packet, an IP 349! The design phase for this new yacht will soon be completed, then the drawings will be released and orders will be taken. Everyone was very excited about the new design. For the first time, customers will be able to customize their new yachts in many different ways, from various gel coat colors to interior wood selection and custom cabinetry. We all think this is a great idea and we look forward to seeing these new IPs on the market and at boat shows. Plans for customer service and the IPY website were discussed and Q&A followed. Leslie suggested that the best thing owners can do is to speak positively to fellow sailors in person and online about their boats and the bright future of Island Packet Yachts. For example, you can "Like" and "Follow" Hake Marine on Facebook. The IP owners sincerely appreciate that Leslie and Darrell made this trip to present at the Rock Hall Rendezvous. Thank you!

Next, MANY great door prizes were awarded! (FYI - must be present to win!) Thank you to Ray IP 27 Wye's Guy who pounded the pavement in Rock Hall to ask for many generous gifts from local businesses. Our appreciation to Bayly of IP 26 Mammy for the remaining beer and wine we gave as door prizes. And thank you to Leslie and Darrell for bringing IP swag - embroidered polos and sweatshirts, women's IP reggae shirts and the prized IP logo hats. After more visiting, the first ever IPYOA jam session kicked off with Jim of IP 38 ULLR on lead bass guitar, Dan of IP35 Charis on guitar, Jim of IP 38 Cat Tails on guitar, and Jeff of IP35 Lucille on drums! WOW, this was really very enjoyable. The hearty and the strong remained under the tent, listening, singing, and cheering on the musicians til 11 pm. A BIG thank you goes out to Jim and his team of volunteers who stepped up and added a very cool new feature to the Rendezvous. It was really fun!

Sun, Aug 27, 2017
Back under the tent at 7:30 am, we set up the breakfast snacks. Ray of IP 27 Wye's Guy brought over coffee machines and milk for the buffet table.Thank you, Ray, what a great surprise! With chocolate chip mini muffins and healthy "Aussie Bites" along with chocolate rugelach, we all had plenty to nibble during an impromptu Q&A period. (Thank you to Madelyn, who drove the leftover snacks to the community kitchen at the local senior center!) On the projector, I ran a slide show of 150 photos of Island Packets from the thousands of photos I have used for the 15 annual IPYOA Calendars. This was a fun back drop for the Q&A. At 9:00 am, we presented a slide show of charts and maps and routes of our 3 month trip from Stuart FL to the Exumas, Bahamas, to the Turks & Caicos, to the Dominican Republic, to Puerto Rico and finally to the US and British Virgin Islands.

Next, Tom Tursi, owner of the Maryland School of Sailing, presented a very detailed technical presentation of compass calibration and navigation processes. Tom is one of the greatest assets we have in the fleet, his amazing sailing school utilizes IPs exclusively, his webinars are so professional, and his YouTube Channel is viewed by hundreds of thousands of viewers. Thank you, Tom, for always being prepared and for always offering to support our fleet. We all truly appreciate everything Tom brings to Island Packet Yacht owners. Next, we split up into small groups of regional interest... the ICW, or the Caribbean, or the Bahamas for a final Q&A chat. With many people helping, the tent was cleaned up, table covers and tape removed, chairs folded and stacked, flags removed, screen and projector taken down, recycling containers emptied and returned, trash bags taken to the dumpster and lost items returned. Our Rendezvous closed with one final visit from Leslie and Darrell, owners of Hake Marine/IPY. What a fantastic event. Thank you to all for the time, effort and expense invested to participate. We really appreciate every one of you!

Highlights in no particular order...
Fabulous weather
Fantastic Fish Whistle catered meal
Sam and Marilyn of IP 420 Catharpin Blue for their Pacific Presentation, great job
MooMobile Ice Cream Truck sponsored by Whiteaker Yacht Sales
Leslie and Darrell for flying from Tampa FL. That speaks volumes to the owners and shows how much you care.
Tom Tursi, always a professional sailor and presenter
The IPY jam session, thank you to Jim, of IP38 ULLR
Beer and wine provided by S&J Yachts
Dock hands, Ray, Steve, Dave and Dan
Wanda of IP 35 Charis who cleaned the tables every day
Bayly of IP 26 Mammy who provided beer, wine, and champagne
All the owners who cheerfully pitched in to help out
Madelyn Reni, the owner of the beautiful Spring Cove Marina, thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Hayden & Radeen...
Our photo here: www.ipyoa.com/photos?view=browse&set=alb...o&pid=18169&aid=2549

PS:
The next IPYOA gathering will be NOON, Annapolis Fleet Reserve, on the roof deck with a bit beef sandwich during the Annapolis Sailboat Show, Oct 5-9, 2017. We gather there from Noon to 1:30 every day of the Boat Show. More on that later.

2017 Rendezvous Attendees:

We all just received a very generous gift from Leslie and Darrell Allen, majority owners of Hake Marine / Island Packet Yachts. Darrell and Leslie immediately offered to cover the $577 for the outstanding balance of the 2017 IPYOA Rock Rendezvous. This is so very kind and Radeen and I really appreciate their generosity. I had not asked for any money, as this was an owner driven rendezvous, and I thought we as a fleet needed to cover our own costs. Within seconds of the balance sheet being emailed out, Darrell wrote back to me to say they would cover the expense and that I should send him an invoice for the entire balance. WOW, are we ever lucky to have such dedicated company owners behind us all? YES WE ARE! Thank you, Darrell and Leslie, we all really appreciate your support!

At this point, we can close the books on the 2017 Rock Hall Rendezvous. The event is NOW a full wrap and it was GREAT!

Attached here is the PDF of the 2017 Rendezvous Budget



Hayden and Radeen