FROM THE HELM

By Bob Osborn, SV Pandora, President SDSA

HEADING SOUTH?  RUN WITH THE DAWGS!

It is hard to believe that the summer is nearly over and planning for the 2024 Salty Dawg Caribbean Rally to Antigua and the Bahamas is in full swing.  Registrations are running at near record levels and we are anticipating upwards of 100 boats with us in November.

As in the last few years, some of the more experienced and faster boats will be departing from Newport, RI but the bulk of the fleet will still leave on or about November 1^st from Hampton, VA, the historic departure port for the Salty Dawg Rally to the Caribbean. 

With a big crowd in Hampton likely for the week leading up to departure, I urge you to sign up soon and to book your marina space as there are a limited number of slips available and they will soon sell out.   Do not despair if you are unable to secure space at a marina in Hampton or choose to anchor out, as there is a very secure nearby anchorage, Mill Creek, on the other side of the Hampton Tunnel causeway, with room for many boats.  For boats that opt to anchor there, we will have a free shuttle bus during the week leading up to departure to provide easy access to the many planned events. 

If you have not yet applied, do not delay as our first skippers meeting for those boats heading to Antigua will be held on Monday September 9^th.      

Heading to the Bahamas?  We have a skipper’s meeting scheduled for September 16^th at 5:00.  

These webinars are limited to skippers and crew who have signed up and been approved to participate in the rally. 

And, don’t forget to sign up for our largest event of the year in Annapolis on October 10^th, during the boat show, with special YouTube Guests, Paul and Sheryl, of the award winning series, Distant Shores. Sign up here

Oh yeah, if you prefer to head to the Bahamas after the holidays, we will be running the first ever “January Jump” rally from the Palm Beach area in January for those who prefer to work their way down the coast to FL in the Fall, head home for the holidays and make the crossing with the Dawgs in January.   Check this link for info about that run.  

This is the year to run with the Dawgs to Antigua or the Bahamas!  We have more options than ever so come along and don’t miss out.