POULSBO — The glory days of teak and brass beauties cruising the waters of the Puget Sound and beyond will be alive again this weekend.

And the public is invited to step inside for a taste.

The eighth Annual Classic Yacht Association September Rendezvous will be taking place Sept. 25-26 at the Port of Poulsbo marina.

The event usually draws between 800-1,000 visitors to the port marina to view power-driven pleasure cruisers that are part of the Pacific Northwest Fleet of the Classic Yacht Association. The group is dedicated to the promotion, preservation, restoration and maintenance of antique power-driven pleasure craft.

Member boats were all built prior to 1942, although the majority come from the 1920s and 1930s. The oldest boat expected to be on hand this weekend is a Lake Union Dream Boat, which was built in 1911. The largest is the 85-foot Deer Leap. The Admiral Yacht from Bremerton’s Naval Shipyard, Old Man IV, will also be open for touring Saturday and Sunday.

“A lot of mahogany and teak and bright work,” commented Indianola’s John Jacobsen, event coordinator and Pacific Northwest Fleet Commodore. “There’s a certain style to these boats.”

More than 30 classic yachts will be on display for public viewing, with some available for boarding by visitors, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. There is no admission charge.

The classic yachts will start arriving at the downtown Poulsbo Marina Guest Dock the afternoon of Sept. 24 and will be welcomed by representatives of the Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce, the Historic Downtown Poulsbo Association, the City of Poulsbo and the Port of Poulsbo. The chamber and HDPA have partnered on the annual event, including sponsoring moorage for visiting yachts.

Chamber Executive Director Jim Martin said he attended last year’s rendezvous but was unable to actually tour the yachts because he was working at a Rotary booth and also as a pie contest judge.

“This year, I’m going to do it all,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Besides the opportunity for an up-close look at these rare gems, visitors will also be able to vote for their favorite yacht with People’s Choice ballots, which will be available on the dock.

When meal time rolls around, hungry visitors can chow down in nearby Waterfront Park at a barbecue sponsored by the Poulsbo Noon Lions. All proceeds go to Lions projects throughout the year.

Downtown merchants will also be holding their annual sidewalk sales this weekend. The sales have been held in conjunction with the CYA rendezvous for a few years now and have grown each season.

And while touring classic yachts is a treat many eagerly await, Jacobsen said CYA members also enjoy their September trip to Poulsbo. He said the port and local merchants have been very helpful and Poulsbo’s friendly atmosphere brings them back year after year.

“They really like Poulsbo,” Jacobsen said of his fleet. “They feel very welcome over there. There are a lot of nice shops and it has a nice atmosphere.”

Sidebox:

Classic Yacht Rendezvous

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 25

10 a.m. to noon Sept. 26

Port of Poulsbo Marina

Info: www.classicyacht.org/pnw