Pocket Yacht Palooza and Crooza

July 18th saw boats gather in Port Townsend for the fourth annual Pocket Yacht Palooza. In addition to the boats on trailers and along the waterfront, visitors were treated to a Q&A session with several Race to Alaska racers—including first solo finisher, Roger Mann. And that evening, small-boat designer John Welsford gave a stimulating talk on “Designing for Dreams,” which included his sharing details and photos of Howard Rice’s nearly finished modified adventure SCAMP and Howard’s plan to return and explore remote Tierra Del Fuego by small boat.

The next day more than 20 boats set off on the first ever Palooza Crooza, a scheduled 3-day cruise around nearby Marrowstone Island. What follows are photos from the festivities and cruise.

Palooza in full swing. Photo by Marty Loken

R2AK solo racer Roger Mann answers questions. Photo Marty Loken

The fleet setting off for Mats Mats Bay. Photo Helen Leenhouts

Danny Grunbaum of Seattle with his twin 13-year-old twins, Sam and Maks aboard their Core Sound 17. Photo Helen Leenhouts

Pete and Helen Leenhouts’ little tug called Blue Star. They served as escort the entire cruise. Photo Josh Colvin

Charles Silver at the helm of SCAMP #1. Joel Bergen’s Navigator Ellie in background. Photo by Josh Colvin

Tom Gale’s Bolger Old Shoe passing under bridge at Port Townsend Canal. Photo Debra Colvin

A pram parade of SCAMPs looking for wind. Photo Josh Colvin

Rick Proctor took this shot of another San Francisco Pelican from his own Pelican.

Lee’s Oughtred-designed Wee Seal called Opus. Photo Josh Colvin

Tom Carr’s Mirror Offshore 19 called Bluebird. Photo Helen Leenhouts

Simeon’s SCAMP #11 Noddy headed under bridge. Photo Debra Colvin

Lynn Watson and Katie Mae ghost into Mats Mats Bay. Photo Josh Colvin

A few of the boats moored at our gracious host’s private dock in Mats Mats. Photo Marty Loken

Sunset on Mats Mats. Photo Marty Loken

Kirk Gresham’s Crotch Island Pinky, and David Jones’ Oughtred Eun na Mara cruiser near Marrowstone Point. Photo Helen Leenhouts

Scott Marckx’s Welsford Rogue runs close to shore. Photo Helen Leenhouts.

Palooza Croozers at the dock at Fort Flagler State Park. Photo Marty Loken

Some boats used beach rollers to overnight at Fort Flager. Photo Marty Loken

Palooza coordinator, Marty Loken, catching a well-deserved nap. (George Holmes designed canoe yawl based on the Ethel design) Photo Helen Leenhouts