Dodgy weather? Who cares? Wilderness Rally overcomes!
By Sandi and Bill Matley, Port Captains
This year’s Wilderness Rally June 30-July 2 was at Harbor Island (NC-2) despite some questionable weather. Eleven boats were able to make it in, with 27 participants.
For those unfamiliar with Harbor Island, this is from the GLCC Harbor Reports: Harbor Island is the largest of the group of islands in Potagannissing Bay (pronounced pah tah guh NEES ing). It is approximately 1.5 miles square, 100 feet high, and is about 1.3 miles (326º) north of Drummond Yacht Haven. It is also 3.5 miles south of the United States/Canadian border.
Bill and Sandi Matley of S/V Spirit of Aloha were this year’s GLCC Wilderness Rally chairs. They hosted two onshore activities. Bill shared a brief history of Harbor Island. Sandi gave a fleet blessing the last evening.
Fun things from the rally:
• Six were first-time attendees. Welcome aboard!
• Three boat owners make their homes in Texas. After visiting at the first happy hour, they discovered they live near each other. It really is a small world!
• Welcome to the boats, M/V Knot Kaos, S/V Blue Moon and M/V Off Course II.
• It was wonderful having a second generation’s participation. A big hello goes to Reagan and Max of M/V Sojourn, and Beckett, Cedar and Kaya off M/V Off Course II.
• First-timers John and Patty McFadden of S/V Ava Maria were anchored in Harbor Island. Chairs Bill and Sandi dinghyed over to welcome them to the Wilderness Rally. They were GLCC members, but did not realize they were anchored at the rally. They were quickly invited to both evening shore events. Flying your GLCC burgee always provides positive results.
• Single-handing captain Mark Wild off S/V Lucky joined the festivities when he learned it was the GLCC Wilderness Rally. He was on his way to Little Current for the 2025 GLCC Rendezvous. Mark was pleased to find out he indeed was lucky, with perfect timing to attend both activities.
• GLCC Fleet Captain Cheryl Cheger-Timm and her husband, Larry Timm, of S/V Meretricious, explored and enjoyed Harbor Island while fishing and kayaking. The participants were treated to two of Cheryl’s famous treats: taco salad and crab spread.
• A big thank-you goes to Karl Lahm and Denni Moline of S/V Voyageur. They proved Amazon has nothing on them. They promptly delivered a needed hand pump to the Matleys’ S/V Spirit of Aloha. Despite the heavy rain in North Channel, Matley’s dinghy stayed mostly free of water.
• Participants were treated to daytime sail excursions on the beautiful 45-foot S/V Blue Moon. What a generous gesture, and a shout-out to Mark and Jill Freer.
• M/V Sonador knows its way around the North Channel. This year, it made its 2025 appearance with new owners, Amy Babinchak and Missy Siudara. These two GLCC members are known as sailors, but M/V Sonador has turned their heads to power boats.