FROM THE HELM

By Mike Benjamin, SV Exodus, President SDSA

Note:  These remarks were first delivered during the Annapolis Rendezvous Dinner on October 10, 2024

A NEW PRESIDENT TAKES THE HELM!

I am truly honored to accept the position of becoming only the 4^th President of the Salty Dawgs.  In 2011, Bill Knowles, founded the organization and served as its first President.  Hank George took over from Bill, grew the organization and spearheaded the Covid Rally back to the USA.  Hank actually gave me my first volunteer job as a SD van driver in 2019.  Now that’s a lesson in how easy it is to get sucked in!  Then, Bob served brilliantly for 3 years, further growing the organization and the management team. In particular, Bob handled several serious crises that we faced this past year with amazing empathy and grace.   I have quite a legacy to live up to and will work my hardest to continue to make this organization vital, by helping more and more sailors achieve their Bluewater dreams.   

BREAKING NEWS!!

January Jump to the Bahamas

The January Jump to the Bahamas departs from West Palm Beach, FL on January 15, 2025 (weather permitting).  This rally allows cruisers to stay home for the holidays and still enjoy a warm winter in the Bahamas.

Learn more about the January Jump

BVI Rendezvous

 Join us for our 2nd Annual BVI Rendezvous.  Come for all 10 days, or come for a few days.  Come by boat, or come by air and stay at the Nanny Cay hotel and jump aboard a friend's vessel. 

 March 2/3 to March 6: Stay at Nanny Cay Marina and enjoy all  the amenities.  Welcome Party on March 3rd. ( Reserve your slip today: [email protected] or by phone on +1 284 394 2512, ext 1.  Let them know you are with SDSA.). 

Learn More

 Annapolis Boat Show Wrap-up

Congratulations to our award winners!

Bob Osborn, immediate past president, presented a number of awards at the Annapolis dinner and a board lunch the following morning at the Annapolis Yacht Club. 

From left to right:  

Lynn Hoenke, of Roxy was awarded with The Founders Award, for her service to the cruising community as someone who most exemplifies the spirit of "sailors helping sailors".  Lynn has gone out of her way for many years, hosting events, managing VHF nets and doing whatever is required to support our members.

 Jo Barnes, long time board member, was awarded The President's Special Citation.  This discretionary award recognizes the extraordinary support and advice that she provided to me during my three years as president.

 George Day, a founder of Salty Dawg, was awarded with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years as a board member.  Grorge is moving into an advisory role and will continue to be a valuable source of guidance.

WHERE ARE THE CARIBBEAN RALLY PARTICIPANTS?

Many participants in this year's rally left from Newport or Hampton around October 31, most bound for Bermuda.  There, they will refuel and wait for the next weather window to head south to the Caribbean.  Bahamas-bound boats are heading for Charleston or Beaufort and waiting for weather further south to settle.  Fair winds and safe sailing to all!

Follow the fleet on our tracker here.

Rally Participants listen to Chris Parker's weather briefing in Hampton

MEDITERRANEO MEZZO

A second installment, written by Linda Stelmaszyk, SV Alora

Our passage across the Atlantic in 2022 included a multi-year plan to keep our Hylas 56, ALORA, in the Med, spending about three months a year there.

The second season started in May, 2023 visiting the islands and coast south of Rome, Sicily, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and back to Italy for the winter.  Sounds like a lot, but was actually quite doable, with just a few overnight passages.

HOW SALTY DAWGS HELPED US PREPARE TO CROSS THE PACIFIC

Written by Arden Bradley, SV Kalli

Our journey began in May 2020 aboard our Shannon sailboat Kalli.  We were new to retirement and had plans to sail north from Florida to spend the summer in New England, winter in the Caribbean and then on to the South Pacific the following spring.  Like many others, our plans changed due to Covid.  

We were excited to learn the Salty Dawg Caribbean Rally was still running in Nov even though most of the Caribbean was closed.  Right from the start the SDSA rally exceeded our expectations.  We began receiving emails and were invited to zoom meetings for rally details, boat prep, Antigua entrance details, spare parts lists, boat maintenance, Covid entry requirements and general information to prepare us for out trip. As we all gathered in Hampton VA a week before the rally, we were busy with zoom meetings (no in person gatherings) and Chris Parker weather briefings.  They also provided a communications expert who helped set up our tracking page as well as verified our ability to receive the daily weather updates while at sea.  Of the 50 or so boats going that year, probably 30-40% were return Caribbean rally participants which told us a lot about the SDSA.  They provided valuable guidance and support especially for the newbies on the rally.   

A GUIDEBOOK WRITER'S FAVORITE EASTERN CARIBBEAN ANCHORAGES

Written by Lexi Fisher, Doyle Guides

I get asked all the time what my favorite anchorage is, but it’s a bit like choosing a favorite child; each has unique qualities that make it impossible to choose. More importantly, your enjoyment often hinges on what you’re looking for—fine dining, secluded beaches, vibrant marine life, or hikes to hidden waterfalls. So instead of ranking a top 10, here’s a list of my 10 favorite anchorages based on the best of what they have to offer.

Best for Snorkeling: South Coast of Barbuda

The south coast of Barbuda is a snorkeling paradise, especially for those with a draft of 6 feet or less that can sneak through shallow reef passages. The island’s secluded, shallow sandy bays and vibrant reef life are just a short hop from the bustling anchorages of Antigua. Coral Group Bay, Gravenor Bay, and White Bay are particularly exceptional spots for underwater exploration.

An Update on Islands Impacted by Hurricane Beryl

Written by Chris Doyle

I’ll be updating our Windward Islands content this season and am planning to start with a comprehensive update of the islands affected by Beryl, but wanted to share what I do know so far, based on intel I’ve gathered from folks on the ground. If you gather any first-hand updates to the situations in these islands, feel free to email me at [email protected] with details - it will help me generate leads for when I do make it there in person. I’ll be posting further updates at doyleguides.com/windward-updated-guides/ 

In general, many people are still living in temporary shelters. Permanent, hurricane-resistant infrastructure will take time to build. While the secluded white sand beaches and great snorkeling that have always drawn people to Grenadines haven’t gone anywhere, the people and villages are still very much in recovery. If you do go, don’t expect services and infrastructure to be like it is in other parts of the Caribbean. Arrive fully provisioned, with full water and gas tanks, and donations for the local communities if you can. You can find out what is most in need my contacting one of the aid organizations on our Hurricane Beryl Relief Efforts page here - doyleguides.com/beryl/ 

THIS MONTH IN PICTURES

Salty Dawgs in Annapolis