Armada sails into Little Norway

Published 9:00 am Wednesday, September 27, 2006

POULSBO — Relics reminiscent of maritime adventures from days gone by drifted in and out of Liberty Bay for all to see last weekend.

The Classic Yacht Association gathered more than 25 vessels, some dating back as far as 1926, as it celebrated its 10th annual classic yacht rendezvous at the Poulsbo Marina.

“We really enjoy coming to Poulsbo. We’re always well-received here,” said CYA member Marshall Johnson, who sailed his classic yacht, Josephine, into town for the weekend.

The event provides an opportunity for the public to come aboard and see firsthand historic vessels it might not see otherwise, Johnson said.

Johnson’s boat was one of six classic yachts designed by Edwin Monk Sr. that were on display in Little Norway.

The crowds the event attracts to Poulsbo are equal to if not greater than those it draws to its Seattle show, Johnson said.

“It’s always a great turnout,” he said.

Even though Mother Nature hasn’t always been kind throughout the event’s decade stint in Little Norway, the weather for the past three years has been unbeatable, he said.

“This is the third year in a row that it’s been gorgeous,” Johnson said as the sun reappeared after a week of cool, cloudy rainy days in the North End.

Having the event in late September provides a special attraction to downtown at the end of summer, said Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce executive director Stuart Leidner.

“There were a number of beautiful boats for people to see. The Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association did a fine job of coordinating it this year,” Leidner said.

Once again, the weather for this year’s event couldn’t have been more fitting as sunny skies dispelled any notions of rain, he said.

“It’s a nice thing for the community to come out and see, as well as our visitors,” Leidner said.

HDPA President Glenn Anderson said the rendezvous drew a large crowd Saturday, bringing both boaters and motorists to the downtown area.

“It’s definitely a successful event,” Anderson said. “We’ll continue to have it in Poulsbo as long as the Classic Yacht Association wants to.”