2024 Wilderness Rally

By Rear Commodore David Spencer

   The popular Wilderness Rally returns to the North Channel this summer after an absence of several years. 

     The 2024 Wilderness Rally will be in the East Arm of the East-West Channel in McGregor Bay (NC-89) from Wednesday, Aug. 14 to Friday, Aug. 16. 

     The Wilderness Rally is preceded by the Little Current Cruisers’ Net potluck dinner hosted by Lifetime Honorary GLCC Member Roy Eaton at the Little Current docks on Aug. 13. Many cruisers will want to join Roy for this popular annual event and then make the 18-mile trip through the famous Little Current Swing Bridge, past the scenic Strawberry Island Lighthouse and across Frazer Bay to get to McGregor Bay.

     If McGregor Bay is new to you, it would be wise to spend some time studying CHS Chart 2206 (this is a metric chart) and GLCC Harbor Report NC-84 that provides an excellent overview of the routes through McGregor Bay. Although the bay is well charted, there are no official buoys or daymarks in its waters. You’ll be glad of the guidance on the best paths provided by our Harbor Reports. 

     GLCC Chart 3, created in 1956 and updated to 1990, is an attractive chart that was the primary means of navigating McGregor Bay until CHS Chart 2206 was issued in 1997. It’s available at the bottom of NC-89 as 8 separate download files (8 ½ x 11 sheets) that can be taped together. 

Another useful resource is the GLCC School’s webinar “Anchorages of the North Channel.” This was recorded Feb. 15, 2024 and is available at no cost to GLCC members. This webinar covers the whole North Channel, including almost 40 anchorages. The segment on McGregor Bay is near the end of the webinar starting at the 1:12:30 mark. 

     The nature of wilderness cruising is that one is usually a long way from amenities. Wilderness cruisers pride themselves on being self-sufficient. Most cruising boats don’t have enormous refrigerators capable of storing food for a large group, so we don’t plan on providing meals at the rally. Instead, we encourage boaters to bring an appetizer to share for happy hour on Aug. 14. And on Aug. 15, plan to bring your favorite easy-to-make and easy-to-serve dish to share at the potluck dinner. 

     Touring the islands and narrow channels in a dinghy or kayak is one of the many attractions of McGregor Bay. Bring lots of fuel for a dinghy; you’re likely to need it. 

Things may change due to the weather or other factors but here’s the tentative plan:

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Arrival day – Check in with Dave and Kathy aboard s/v Good Idea to pick up your Wilderness Rally burgee

1700 – Happy Hour Ashore – Bring an appetizer to share

Wednesday, Aug. 15

0800 – Announcements – VHF 78A

0815 – Bring your coffee ashore for conversation and planning the day

1000 – Dinghy tour around McGregor Bay – Circumnavigate East Sampson Island, or for a

longer trip, head to Iroquois Bay through the famous “Blasted Cut”

1330 – Shoreside activities:

•    Gadget Hour – Bring along your favorite gadget or idea that has made cruising better for you. 

•    Book Exchange / Book Review – Bring ashore any books you have to share. Also, think of a book you enjoyed recently and offer a brief verbal synopsis or review. Cruisers are usually great readers and are always looking for something good to read as they while away the hours at a secluded anchorage.

•    Exploring New Anchorages – There are hundreds of wonderful anchorages in the North Channel and Northern Georgian Bay. Tell us about a new place (or an old favorite) you visited this summer.

Other activities and ideas are welcome.

1500 – Visit a new boat, meet a new friend. Cruisers enjoy getting together with friends while at anchor. But, why not take this opportunity to stop by a boat you don’t know and make new friends. Let Dave Spencer know if you are willing to welcome up to four GLCC members who are new to you aboard your boat for an hour or two.

1700 – Announcements VHF 78A

1800 – Shoreside Potluck Dinner. Bring food to share, along with serving utensils and your own eating utensils. We will also need portable tables; please bring any you have.

Thursday Aug. 16

0800 – Announcement VHF 78A

0815 – Coffee ashore

0900 – Enjoy McGregor Bay. Fish, swim, kayak, dinghy, visit, cruise to another McGregor Bay anchorage, or depart.

     Registration for the North Channel Wilderness Rally in McGregor Bay will be available on the GLCC website shortly. We will keep the cost per boat low with the fee covering the cost of the coveted Wilderness Rally burgee and a few other minor expenses. 

     We’re always looking for ideas and help to organize events like this. Please contact Dave Spencer at spencerdd@gmail.com.