| The Salty Dawg Sailing Association will be hosting four rallies this year. Each rally is an opportunity for sailors to cruise-in-company, with the safety, camaraderie, and passage-preparation assistance that only a rally can provide, with minimal requirements and minimal costs. Meet new friends and re-unite with old ones. Kids and pets are always welcome. The Homeward Bound Rally (formerly East Coast Rally) will be leaving from the USVIs in early May for various ports on the US East Coast. For the first time, SDSA is considering adding a gathering in Bermuda for those departing from the Caribbean. If you might like to do this, please email info@saltydawgsailing.org so the organizing committee can see how much interest there might be. The Downeast Rally will have three legs, leaving from Hampton, VA in early July, then to Newport, RI, then on to Chuttyhunk, MA with a final landfall in Rockland, ME around July 10. Cruisers can join the rally at any port. Of course, there will be meetings to help cruisers get ready, socials to meet the other participants, and rendezvous all along the way. The Downeast Rally is the perfect opportunity to gain experience sailing overnight in the ocean in the company of other Salty Dawg boats and with experienced shoreside staff support. This year the Dawgs are thrilled to be able to include the Maritime Rally again. This rally will leave from either Provincetown, MA or Penobscot Bay, ME in mid-July for points in Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton and Bras D’Or Lakes. Again, Salty Dawg socials will be plentiful. Nova Scotia has an attractive sea-bound coast, with quaint fishing villages, numerous isolated coves and historic sites. The Caribbean Rally will depart Hampton, VA around November 1 going to your choice of the Bahamas or Antigua. This cornerstone rally meets late in October with meetings, seminars, and Q & A sessions to help get cruisers out of the cold and into the fun of the Caribbean. A crossing to Antigua usually takes 10-14 days. The crossing to the Bahamas 7-8 days. Upon landing at your winter season destination expect social and educational activities, both planned and spontaneous, to be abundant. The Caribbean Rally is not only the largest organized flotilla of cruisers leaving the US East Coast for the Caribbean—but the most fun!All social events will be carried out in compliance with local Covid-19 guidelines. All rallies will have weather support and routing by Chris Parker and the Marine Weather Center, as well as shoreside support and emergency response team from an experience team of cruisers to help ensure a well-run and safe rally for all. Each departure date is weather-dependent and at the discretion of the captain as to each boat’s readiness. Rally registration and more information can be found at www.saltydawgsailing.org/rallies Not sure if you (or your boat) are ready to go? Increase your blue water knowledge by enrolling in the Salty Dawg series of webinars. Hosted by experienced offshore and industry professionals who really know their trades and the rigors of the cruising life, these webinars cover everything from insurance for cruisers, how to buy the right cruising boat, rally sailing, communications at sea, weather and routing, safety equipment, storm tactics and more. Webinars are free for Salty Dawg members. Non-members pay just $25 for each series of webinars. Check them out at www.saltydawgsailing.org/2022-webinars The Salty Dawg Sailing Association is a non-profit educational and charitable sailing organization made possible through Volunteers, Members, Sponsors and Contributors. For more information about becoming involved, please contact info@saltydawgsailing.org www.saltydawgsailing.org |
