Cruising Home from Croatia - VI Mid Island Club Night

Name: Cruising Home from Croatia - VI Mid Island Club Night
Start: 2026-04-16T19:00:00-07:00
Location: Nanaimo Yacht Club

Schedule

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Nanaimo Yacht Club | Nanaimo, BC

Join Roberta and Jason Bowman as they share the story of a journey that began as a dream and became a 17,000-nautical-mile passage halfway around the world aboard their Elan Impression 434, Dobro Dani.
Departing from Croatia, their two-year voyage took them through the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic Ocean, into the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, south to the Galápagos Islands, and finally “uphill” across the Pacific to return home to British Columbia. It’s the kind of trip many sailors quietly imagine; one they were fortunate enough to experience, one passage at a time.
Step aboard Dobro Dani and hear what that journey really looked like beyond the charts and logbooks. Roberta and Jason will share practical insights into planning and provisioning, the rhythms and challenges of offshore sailing, and the friendships formed within the global cruising community. Along the way, they reflect on the moments that stand out most, both the difficult and the unforgettable, and the simple relief of landfall after a long passage.
Their story is not about perfection or grand feats, but about taking on a big adventure, learning as they went, and making their way, mile by mile, back home.
Biography:
Active members of the sailing community for more than 20 years, the Bowmans have been involved in racing, instruction, volunteerism, and leadership, including executive roles with the West Vancouver Yacht Club and Ladysmith Yacht Club.
Professionally, Roberta’s career has included marina management, marine insurance, and community leadership. She currently serves as Executive Director of both the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Nanaimo Business Association. Jason’s background is in operations management; he is currently the Executive Director of an administrative tribunal, teaches Management at Vancouver Island University, and is a certified Sail Canada instructor.
Details: Doors open at 7:00 pm and the meeting will begin at 7:30 pm. Come early to enjoy conversation and camaraderie Bar service is available - pay by debit or credit. There will be coffee, tea and water available. And cookies, too!
BCA members $5, non-members $10 - cash at the door