Well, Fall snuck up on me and here we are already a month into it. This was an interesting summer for cruising to say the least. Although early restrictions kept most of us off the water initially, Carole and I found that many of us were able to go out and were comfortable enjoying the San Juans after restrictions were lifted. After all, what’s more socially distanced than a boat at anchor!
 
We saw and/or heard many of you cruising throughout the summer. We personally took several shorter trips this year to break it up, chase the good weather, and also to try and avoid the crowds. Our favorite cruise was in late September where crowds were nearly nonexistent and favorite anchorages back to normal capacities, and the Coho fishing was amazing.
 
I hope you all were able to find a spot to throw the hook and enjoy our beautiful San Juans, Puget Sound, and/or South Sound waters. And for our Canadian members, we hope you enjoyed what I presume to be the relative quiet of Canadian cruising waters, without the added pressure of U.S. boats!
 
Rendezvous News
After Panntoa Board members returned from their cruising and summer travels, we held a board meeting on October 13th. We have begun discussions on next year’s rendezvous and are looking at the implications of Covid as it may apply to that. The tentative dates are June 10-12, 2021 in Sydney B.C. Of course, we will not have a clear vision about whether we can successfully hold a rendezvous until next year. But hopeful planning is underway. We will be following up with you regarding the rendezvous as plans develop.
 
Factory News
I am pleased to let you know that the factory is going full guns! I am in regular contact with Dave Allen and he has informed me that they have 8 Nordic Tugs in the build queue, with a couple in production now. They also have 9 Ocean Sports in line for production. They continue to increase their workforce which has doubled since the first of the year. This is great news.
 
In a recent conversation with Cory Gracey at Seattle Yachts (the new Nordic Tug dealer in Anacortes) he said they have sold one new, and 5 used Nordic Tugs since August. So it appears that Nordic Tugs are in high demand and valued as a quality purchase by those looking for socially distanced recreation.
 
Upcoming Photo Contest
We will be co-sponsoring a photo contest with Seattle Yachts focusing on this year’s “Covid Cruzing.” We want to see your pictures! Prizes to be awarded! Seattle Yachts has provided 2 very nice prizes and Panntoa is donating 2 items from the Panntoa “store.” Watch for information to be coming soon to the Panntoa web site with instruction on how to enter.
 
In closing, we are fortunate in the Northwest to have cruising weather most of the year, so as the weather windows present themselves over the next few months, I hope you will be able to get out and enjoy your Tug. Carole and I will be looking for those breaks as well and hope to see you on the water!
 
Gary White
Panntoa Commodore