2013 Ranger Tugs / Cutwater Rendezvous – Anacortes, WA

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One of the ancillary benefits of boating is the many social opportunities present. Everywhere we anchor or dock we’ll either run into old friends or we’ll end up meeting some very interesting people. We can’t think of a better place to do this than at the 2013 Ranger Tugs / Cutwater Rendezvous. The event was held this year at Cap Santé Marina in Anacortes, Washington.

Because we’d been cruising in British Columbia for an extended period of time, our calendar allowed us to arrive a few days early. We would use the time to catch up on the usual boat chores. These chores included a thorough cleaning of the boat, inside and out, washing clothes, and picking up a batch of mail. In the midst of our getting settled and organized, Ranger Tug owners, and residents of Anacortes, Bob, and Nita (below), on Nellie Too, approached us and said they were trying to put together a group to head up to Anthony’s for the early bird special. So, with a sprinkling of familiar faces and a few new mixed in, we had an unofficial kick-off to the rendezvous.

We’d met Bob and Nita (above) during our first 2011 Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Rendezvous in Bremerton, WA. soon after we took possession of our Ranger Tug R27. Nita and Bob are so much fun, we wish we could just take them home with us.

Before the rendezvous started, we had time to walk downtown on our way to visit the farmer’s market and have lunch at the Croatian Restaurant our fellow tug nut, Tym told us about.

The next day boats started showing up in droves to the 2013 Ranger Tugs / Cutwater Rendezvous

Although most of the folks were from Washington State and British Columbia, Canada, there was representation from Texas, California, Oregon, Michigan, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and more. We tug owners attend these valuable rendezvous to learn more about our boats. We like to see what upgrades others have done to their vessels, attend seminars, eat, drink, celebrate our time together and share our boating pursuits as Ranger Tug or Cutwater owners. The conversation includes where we’ve cruised, if we trailer or not, and more often than not, we share maintenance tips and tricks. Jim gave a PowerPoint presentation about our cruising time on Lake Powell.

73 boats in attendance, 150 people including owners and Factory Personnel

The Anacortes Rendezvous was our third as Ranger Tug owners. We’d have to say the event is more like a fun family picnic or large reunion. Except most of us are not related. Boating, with our Ranger Tugs and Cutwaters, is the common denominator and basis for a likely friendship. The family part comes into play because Jeff, John, Andrew, Kenny, Ivan, Linda, and others representing the factory, bring their own families to the three-day event and have a grand time alongside the owners’ group during the three-day event.

Ranger Tugs and Cutwater Boats Foster a Community Feel Among Their Owner Group

One of the things we admire about Fluid Motion as a company (builders of both the Ranger Tugs and Cutwater boats) is how hands-on they are with their owners’ group. We get the distinct impression that one of the company’s main goals and objectives is to help people get out on the water to the boat. This thinking is supported by how they actively engage their owners’ group in boating activities, how thoughtfully they build their boats, with ease of use in mind, and take care of their owners. It goes without saying that such a philosophy is beneficial to both owners and factory alike.

Herb, on Willie’s Tug (above), was getting help with something on his boat.

Harmony (above) was responsible for organizing the event, and her two little pups helped.

Rich and Cheryll, on Roam (above) just returned from a trip to Alaska on their Ranger Tug. Gill and Barry, on Laxey (below)

There was a rumor going around that Jim (below) kissed Bob while he was kiddingly sitting on his lap. Somehow we didn’t get that shot. Maybe next time.

A few of the many participants at this year’s rendezvous. Georgene and Colin (above), Willie and Herb, on Willie’s Tug (above), Vicki and Bruce, on Moondance (below-left), and Tym and June, on Circle T (below-right).

Bob (above) and Nita (below) are always in charge of making margaritas for the rendezvous. We call him “Margarita Bob,” As you can see, they’ve got this chore down to a science. I caught Nita downing the last batch of the mix just before we wrapped up happy hour to begin feasting on dinner.

Ivan (above), from the factory, came to our boat to install a Bluetooth module to our Fusion stereo unit. This is a job that would have taken us a few hours and took Ivan only a few minutes.

On the last night of the rendezvous, the sky was on fire.