SDSA January Jump Rally

Depart West Palm Beach, FL January 15, 2025 (weather permitting)

Bahamas Webinar!!!
July 2, 5pm ET
Recording Here

Join us for the first Salty Dawg January Jump Rally from West Palm Beach, Florida to Great Harbour Cay in the Berries, Bahamas. This rally allows cruisers to stay home for the holidays and still enjoy a warm winter in the Bahamas. You will have the opportunity to enjoy many educational webinars, meet other cruisers, and travel across the Gulf Stream with weather advice from Chris Parker. 

The January Jump Rally is a nearshore / offshore passage, and it provides Captains and crew 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 experience can be used as a stepping stone to our longer offshore rallies, such as the Caribbean Rally and the Homeward Bound Rally. You will experience Atlantic Ocean sailing, planning for the Gulf Stream, navigating cuts in the Bahamas, and finally enjoying the Bahamas. Local knowledge from Salty Dawgs is provided at pre-departure webinars and briefings to assist in your passage. We will also share ideas for your winter cruising. 

The rally plans for pre-departure sessions in West Palm (between the bridges) on January 14th. Weather pending, we will depart for Great Harbour in the Berries on January 15th with an arrival celebration (or two)! Rally participants will then have the opportunity to continue cruising to Highborne Cay in the Exumas, Bahamas.

The Rally includes weather routing by Chris Parker of The Marine Weather Center, position tracking by PredictWind, and an extensive level of coordination and support during the offshore passage.  Once accepted to the rally and rally fees have been paid, you will have access to the rally Welcome page which will include detailed information. You must review the Passage Discussion page (link above), which contains information about the conditions likely to be encountered, particularly noting that starting date and route are highly subject to changes pending weather.

Offshore communications equipment is not required, but strongly encouraged, especially if you have plans to participate in the Caribbean, Bermuda, or Homeward Rally.  VHF radio communications equipment is required, including both fixed and portable radios. Captains may not need a device that provides position reporting, but by having it aboard they get comfortable with it, are able to utilize the PredictWind tracking, and are not struggling when going on an offshore Rally with new technology.

Prior to the 2025 January Jump, Kathy Kubic and and Doug Weibel will share the plans for the rally, recommended preparations, and what cruising the Bahamas has to offer. We encourage you to attend or review the recordings.

Whether the January Jump Rally is part of your preparation for longer offshore passages or an opportunity to extend your coastal cruising experience with new friends, you’ll love the rally!

 Tentative schedule -more details coming soon.

2025 January Jump Participants -coming soon

Don't forget to stay in touch with the Salty Dawgs on Facebook; Salty Dawg Sailing and Friends

The SDSA unites experienced ocean sailors with developing cruisers to broaden their blue water horizons.  All Salty Dawg rallies and events are led by seasoned sailors who volunteer their time and knowledge to help cruisers realize their dreams.  

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