Boating enthusiasts enjoy clear skies and balmy temperatures for a day out on the water.

The weather at last weekend’s boat fair hosted by the Deception Pass Sail and Power Squadron at the Oak Harbor Marina was anything but clement, but a full sail of enthusiasm made up for the chilly temperatures and the gusting wind for the first day of the two-day event Saturday morning.

“We had a tent set up for our demonstrations, but we couldn’t keep it up in the wind,” said Bob Nelson, the Power Squadron’s commanding officer and boating fair director. “Everyone was freezing to death so thankfully the Oak Harbor Yacht Club let us use their facilities and we moved things indoors.”

Power Squadron member Jim Dobbins said some of the classes offered at the fair included marina rules, chart reading, clean and green boating and knot tying, to name a few.

Beverly Campbell and Brenda Cheaqui were two of the braver souls who remained outside to tend the Deception Pass Sail and Power Squadron’s information table.

“We are offering free brochures and pamphlets on orca whales, adventures in boating, navigational aides and information on how to have fun on the water,” Campbell said.

In addition, the squadron was offering free boat safety checks by certified inspectors.

Another outdoor table, this one sponsored by the Orca Network and the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Standard Network, was also handing out informational brochures.

“What we want to do and make people aware of is to leave marine mammals alone if they find one while walking on the beach or out in a boat,” said Sandy Dubpernell. “The orca is our state icon and the governor has named June as orca awareness month.”

Dubpernell, from Coupeville, and her friend Marty from Greenbank, who didn’t want her last name used, were also selling raffle tickets for a stained glass piece of artwork depicting an orca to raise funds for the organization.

Inside the yacht club, Don Grate from Oak Harbor and the squadron’s executive officer, Andy Loehr from Langley, were busy

showing people the proper way to tie two half-hitch and clove hitch knots, which are used to secure lines on sailboats, at one of the

free class sessions.

Sunday’s weather was still on the chilly side which kept the crowd down, but at least the wind

wasn’t blowing.

Power Squadron members agreed that despite the inclement weather and low turnout, they hope to do it again next year.