THE JANUARY JUMP!

Written by Kathy Kubic, Island Time, Rally co-Captain

36 Salty Dawg boats joined the Salty Dawgs' first ever January Jump Rally from West Palm Beach to the Bahamas, and what a time it was! Fleet Captains Kathy Kubic on Island Time and Doug Weibel on Frolic designed the rally to leave in mid January so that sailors had the opportunity to stay home with families for the holiday season, yet they still have a full cruising season in the warm Bahamas.

The rally formed a new partnership with the Palm Beach Sailing Club (PBSC) when David Hoy, a member of both clubs, suggested that PBSC could host the Dawgs in West Palm. Commodore Alex Hill, Manager Tim McCain, and Chef James rolled out the red carpet for the Dawgs with a beautiful pavilion on the water. Rally members were able to attend an opening happy hour, several sessions, and a departure dinner. They also enjoyed a special surprise when Matthew Bostrom from Chris Parker’s Marine Weather Center staff joined the rally. Carolyn Shearlock from the Boat Galley and Steve Reoch from David Walters Yachts also attended and offered door prizes! 

The rally was truly an example of “Sailors Helping Sailors.” Volunteers from Finally, Solstice, Tiger Lily, and Toes in the Water all donned their orange hats and were readily available to answer questions from newer sailors.  With a short hop down the coast and a bumpy but manageable Gulf Stream crossing, the boats were off to Great Harbor Cay and a fresh season in the Bahamas!