Great Lakes Grand Banks Owners Association (GLGBOA) Events

GLGBOA’s major event is the annual rendezvous, held at a Great Lakes port. Each rendezvous attracts 25 to 30 boats of all sizes plus 6 or 8 crews who, for reasons of distance or scheduling, decide to attend via “land yacht”. Our rendezvous is a 3-day event convening on Thursday and ending Sunday morning. Programs typically include seminars on technical, historical and culinary subjects, plus tours of local landmarks, boat visits and ample opportunity for social interaction.

Rendezvous sites are chosen well in advance by the Board, on a rotating basis to accommodate the geographic distribution of our membership. As noted below, the first several events were held in the same location while the fledgling organization was learning the ropes. Now, sites are selected based upon a comprehensive survey conducted by Board members.

Thus far, we have gathered in the following Great Lakes ports:

1996 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1997 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
1998 - Frankfort, Michigan
1999 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin
2000 - Mackinac City, Michigan

2001 – Bay Harbor, Michigan
2002 – Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
2003 – Manitowoc, Wisconsin
2004 – St. Ignace, Michigan

2005 – Frankfort, Michigan
2006 – Rogers City, Michigan
2007 - Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
2008 - Sheboygan, Wisconsin

2009 RENDEZVOUS

In 2009, we will again gather in St. Ignace, Michigan, commencing on 23 July.
Here's a sneak preview of what's in store for the 2009 Rendezvous. Be sure and mark your calendars for 23-26 July, 2009.
The St. Ignace marina is undoubtedly one of the finest marinas on the Great Lakes and Gene Elmer, who's in charge of marine operations, among his other duties and responsibilities, will be our host. Those of you who attended the event in 2004 will remember the fine job done by Gene and his staff.
Floyd and Maggi Lewis, our Rendezvous Coordinators, and the Rendezvous Committee are busy working on an exciting get together at St. Ignace, in the beautiful Straits of Mackinac. Plans include a visit to the Kewadin Casino for a meal and some games, as well as participating in the Third Annual St. Ignace Fish Fest. (For you Wisconsinites, it's not a "fish boil".) It will be a different flavor rendezvous but still with a lot of boat stuff.
If you want to do the Grand Hotel, pack your jacket and tie and plan to go before or after our rendezvous, as we have not included the Grand in our rendezvous plans.
For those of you arriving by "land yacht", you'll want information regarding hotel accomodations. Just do a google search on St. Ignace hotels, and you'll find a list of hotels, their locations, and contact info.
Be sure and watch for more information in upcoming editions of the Newsletter, and revisit this page often in the months and weeks to come for the latest information on the 2009 Rendezvous. When published, you'll have access to registration forms and other information which will help you get into the swing of things as the Rendezvous approaches.

If you have questions about this event, feel free to contact one of our officers. And, be sure and visit our Photo Gallery for some great shots from past Rendezvous!