If you have a “small” boat and are looking for a social group with no bylaws, commodores, or membership dues, then the Pocket Yachters group is for you.
Pocket Yachters, based in Port Townsend Washington, is a social group for boaters with trailerable boats. Most members have boats built of wood, skin-on-frame, and such; however, boaters with trailerable vessels of fiberglass are always welcome. The whole idea is to have fun messing about and get together for social events.
Trailerable boats have the advantage of gathering at a variety of locations, both at fresh-water lakes and marine water destinations. Pocket Yachters host a number of meet ups throughout Washington State, British Columbia, and Oregon. We happened to see the group at the Montague Harbour Marine Park wharf in the Gulf Islands on our trip northward this 2023 season.
One of the largest events for small boats created by the Pocket Yachters (hosted by the Northwest Maritime Center in Port Townsend) is the Salish 100 held in July, when a 100 or more small boats go on a relaxed cruise from Olympia, WA to Port Townsend, with stops each night. Other July social events include a meet up at Hagg Lake near Portland, Oregon and a rendezvous at Sucia Island in the San Juans.
Some members of Pocket Yachters participate in the June “Seventy 48 Race,” a human powered boat race from Tacoma to Port Townsend, covering 70 miles, to be completed in 48 hours. The most adventuresome, hearty members participate in the Race to Alaska, a sail/human powered race of 750 miles, defined as “pain and beauty.”
If you own a small boat and want to join the Port Townsend Pocket Yachters, you can join their Facebook group page and/or their Pocket Yachter’s Groups.io forum. Once you register for either the Facebook group or the forum, you are considered a member! News and events are posted on both sites. If you have questions, contact Marty Loken at norseboater22@gmail.com
