For selfish reasons, I would be very interested in attending a West Coast Rendevous. I am interested in building a boat(s) and would love the opportunity for my wife and I to try out different designs before commiting the months to building. I live relatively close to Pygmy so I can try their boats, but would love an opportunity to try the various strip designs. (Joe--I wish that I had time to try one of your boats when I saw you at the Wooden Boat Show.)

I live in the Seattle area, but would be willing to drive several hours to places in Oregon, Idaho, or Vancouver BC, but as was said before, N. California would be a bit far unless the vacation stars are in proper alignment.

Other thoughts on the subject: A beach such as that Fort Worden (used by the Port Townsend Sea Kayak Symposium) would be ideal because of its size, protection, and sand. We would also probalby be able to convince Pygmy to have samples of their entire fleet available. If the get together was either in the off-season or shoulder seasons then getting the beach may not be an issue. Fay Bainbridge state part also has a large beach (but more rocks and less protection if it is a windy day).

Also, I would not dismiss looking at parks along the many lakes in the NW. Most of the kayaking around here is in the Puget Sound, but as far as testing kayaks I would prefer the warmer waters of a lake as opposed to the Sound. While testing kayaks at the Port Townsend symposium I found that I was more timid in putting kayaks on edge because I was not wearing a wet or dry suit.

Finally, pairing the Rendevous with one of the other boating events around the N.W. could be great, if the timing works out. The Pt. Townsend Sea Kayak symposium is one option, but it already has a rather full schedule. Other events could include a Wooden Boat Show (either the one in Pt. Townsend or the one on Lake Union). Perhaps Pygmy, the Wooden Boat Foundation, the Wooden Boat Shop, Wooden Boat School or another vendor could help sponsor such an event similar to the involvement of Newfound Woodworks.

Those are my thoughts. I don't think this is off-topic because it relates to getting people together to see and exchange information regarding building.