SALTY DAWGS DOWNEAST RALLY 2025

Written by Christine Hobson, Chandos II

The sun has just set over Brooklin Harbor in Maine, painting the sky with shades of pink and light grey. The water is still, the light bouncing on the beautiful handcrafted colorful boats dotted around the harbor. A seal is catching its dinner in the twilight and we have just finished ours in the company of our fellow Salty Dawg Downeast Rally sailors, now friends. This is our last night together and we are reflecting on the journey we have accomplished under the auspices of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association. 

Our departure from Hampton VA on July 5th, after a gathering of the rally and a thorough weather briefing, saw us heading into a 3 night passage to Newport RI. It was reassuring to know that our fellow sailors were out there too, the Salty Dawg shoreside team was keeping track of us, as well as the Coast Guard. For us this was our first overnight experience, but the weather was fine, and we were moving along at a steady pace. 

When in Newport, the rally got together to visit Fort Adams one day, and go on a bike tour the next. We gathered for our first pot luck after an interesting tours of the IYRS Trade school. Exploring the buzzing town was fun, as well as indulging in some superyacht spotting around the harbor. 

Cuttyhunk was next with another potluck on the beach and a very nice walk across the island. A short sail later, we were in Onset for another full weather briefing before heading out the next day into our last overnight passage to Rockland, Maine. Again, it was so reassuring to see at first hand the strong knowledge of the Salty Dawg Association team. Their advice both before the rally and during was invaluable. 

Crossing the Cape Cod Canal was a team affair, as we needed to heed the tidal pattern. We all knew each other pretty well by then and sailing alongside each other's boats felt really special. Rockland welcomed us early in the morning with our first experience of Maine fog and lobster pots! It did not dampen our enthusiasm and we were all happy to gather at the Sail Power and Steam museum for an interesting guided tour and sharing pizzas with the Salty Dawg Maritime Rally, also in town, waiting to depart towards Nova Scotia. This marked the end of the trip for some of us, while others decided to take part in the optional mini cruise. Pulpit Harbor, Holbrook Island, Belfast, Bucks Harbor and Brooklin were the setting for our further discovery of Maine and its wildlife, as well as some interesting dinghy floats, lobster dinners, hikes and pot lucks.

Besides the rally itself, getting to know wonderful new friends made it especially memorable.  Individuals stepped up to lead, to organize events and make this a trip we will never forget. 

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