Mid Van Isle Poker Run 2010

[referee77]

Hi everyone!

We spend the weekend (Thursday, June 10th to Monday, June 14th) attending the "Mid Van Isle Poker Run" which was based out of Thetis Island, BC.

The poker run itself was on Saturday, June 12th and took us to the following locations:

1st Stop: Genoa Bay (Cowichan Bay) (Google Map Link)

2nd Stop: Fulford Harbour (Saltspring Island) (Google Map Link)

3rd Stop: Port Browning (Pender Island) (Google Map Link)

4th Stop: Montague Harbour (Galiano Island) (Google Map Link)

5th Stop: Telegraph Harbour (Thetis Island) (Google Map Link)

Here is a link to a Google Map that I created showing the route we travelled --> (LINK)

It was a great weekend!!

Here are some pictures for you all to enjoy:

cj_orca and I waiting for the Poker Run to start:

We are #9! Or is that #6?

Cruising!

In the Marina @ Dusk:

In the Marina during the day:

Mmmmmm Breakfast!! First time using the stove on L'Atatude:

[referee77]

And some more photos:

Waiting to start:

And they're off:

Our friend's Crown Line 270:

Capt'n CJ:

Time to stop and grab a Poker Card:

Capt'n Ref:

Hello Mt. Baker!!

[referee77]

This group of pictures is dedicated to an area between South Pender Island and North Pender Island called "The Cut".

GOOGLE MAP LINK

It was low tide while travelling "The Cut" so we had about 5 feet of depth.

Everyone lining up to enter "The Cut" single file:

Heading in:

Alright...we're in...no turning back now....

Under the bridge...

Looking back behind us...

Looking back at the bridge...

Again...

Yay! We made it to the other side!!

Port Browning...

[referee77]

There was another Chaparral there...and it was actually used at "The Card Boat"

Here are a few pics!

[referee77]

Now...long story short...we were supposed to head for home on Sunday, however...Mother nature decided to throw some nasty winds at us on Sunday. It was nice and calm where we were on Thetis Island, but we knew that in the wide open Georgia Straight...it was going to be bouncy.

So, we headed over to Porlier Pass (Google Map Link), and this is what we came across:

So, rather than beating the living daylights out of ourselves...we decided to head up to Nanaimo, BC for the night and try again in the morning.

Here is some of the scenery on our way from Porlier Pass to Nanaimo.

DODD'S NARROWS (Google Maps Link)

Nanaimo Harbour:

The Canadian Coast Guard Hovercraft came out to play!!

[referee77]

And then on the following Monday...the winds did not die down...so we jumped on a float plane back to Vancouver so we could pick up the truck and EMPTY boat trailer and made our way back to Namaimo via BC Ferries..picked up the boat...and then headed home again on the ferry.

Grabbed a few more shots while up in the plane. Murphy's law...the winds died down a bit as soon as we bought the plane tickets...so, we probably could have taken the boats across the Straight, but we had already made the decision to fly/trailer/and ferry...so we just carried on with that plan...

Notice the brown water...that's the mighty Fraser River run off:

[Shepherd]

Amazing shots. What fantastic weather to have for the Poker Run itself. Canada sure is blessed with A LOT of water, but somewhat short summers.

BTW, what's your feeling towards your friends Crownline 270 vs. your 270 Sig? My first impression between the two boats is the on-plane profile: nose-up and plowing in the Crown, and the laser like levelness of the Chap. Those pics of the following sea look to have been a fun time had by all.

My 2nd opinion has been Crownline makes a decent looking boat, but can't really compare with the overall looks, function, ergonomics, and ride of a Chap.

Case in point: classic Extended V-Plane equipped Chaparral cruising on plane.

Vast majority of other makes ride profile.

[95xxx]

There was another Chaparral there...and it was actually used at "The Card Boat"

I was the card boat.

Geoff from Nanaimo!

Here are a few pics!

[Chief Plasma]

That island looks like a boat with an outrigger.

[Duane2135]

What a nice trip. I jealous

[referee77]

BTW, what's your feeling towards your friends Crownline 270 vs. your 270 Sig? My first impression between the two boats is the on-plane profile: nose-up and plowing in the Crown, and the laser like levelness of the Chap. Those pics of the following sea look to have been a fun time had by all.

My 2nd opinion has been Crownline makes a decent looking boat, but can't really compare with the overall looks, function, ergonomics, and ride of a Chap.

It's AMAZING the differences between the two! Overall, they are pretty much itentical in size and pretty much the exact same layout....but OMG...we have 10 times more room on our boat. We can have a party in our engine room where you'd have to be a dwarf to be able to get into the engine room of the Crown Line. Also, the storage space underneath the sun lounger is night and day between the two boats. The Chap has all kinds of room, while the Crown Line...not so much. With the boats side by side, you can see the hight difference in the sun lounger....

[cj-orca]

The compliments we got on LAT all weekend was amazing !!!!!

Everyone was on her for a look-see.....& everyone wants her !!!

REF was walking around like a proud Papa !!!

[Chaparral Web Team]

GREAT Pics!!! Thanks For sharing!!

[Shepherd]

It's AMAZING the differences between the two! Overall, they are pretty much itentical in size and pretty much the exact same layout....but OMG...we have 10 times more room on our boat. We can have a party in our engine room where you'd have to be a dwarf to be able to get into the engine room of the Crown Line. Also, the storage space underneath the sun lounger is night and day between the two boats. The Chap has all kinds of room, while the Crown Line...not so much. With the boats side by side, you can see the height difference in the sun lounger....

Yeah, that's kind of what I thought. We have a former Crownline sales guys who has worked for us the last 5 years or so. Remember when he first came on and the look on his face and comments after really inspecting the boats in the showroom. 'WOW, I had no idea Chaparral's were this friggin' nice.'

Quite often when working on a customers sick boat, I have to hold my nose because I'm used to a Chaparral ride, space, design, and ergonomics. Same dumb mistakes and poor overall design still being made by many supposed 'premium' boat lines...

Cream always rise to the top though.

[lumberjack]

Hi ref -

nice looking boat. What a beautiful place!!!! Now thats what i call a Poker Run

[roman]

Great post.

Awsome pictures. The map links are cool as well.

Good to see you putting some mileage on your sig.

[clearwater]

Breath Taking !!! What memories....

[Phil @ LKN]

Beautiful. I need a trip to the Pacific Northwest!!

[cjm13905]

Great pics, and great boat.

Sounds like you had a great time.

[Doxology]

Beautiful. I need a trip to the Pacific Northwest!!

+1 Phil. I will join you on that trip!

[LShepherd]

There was another Chaparral there...and it was actually used at "The Card Boat"

Here are a few pics!

Pretty hard not to recognize the other Chaparral.......2550SX Sport.

[cj-orca]

Pretty hard not to recognize the other Chaparral.......2550SX Sport.

thats cool... having the same boat... nice !!

[vegaslunchdog]

Nice pics, looks like it was a great time, except for the high seas.

Saul

[DAVECS1]

The Crown doesn't have a swim platform it has a diving board compared to the Chap

[cj-orca]

The Crown doesn't have a swim platform it has a diving board compared to the Chap

I know... its really high.....