FROM THE HELM

By Mike Benjamin, SV Exodus, President SDSA

MY LONG SUMMER PASSAGE:  REFLECTIONS FROM THE HARD

As spring turns to summer, sailing season is in full swing here in New England.  As I drive along the shore, I see more and more boats filling the marinas and anchorages or happily under sail not far offshore. My inbox predictably is overflowing with boat supply ads and cheerful messages about wonderful anchorages and cruising events. The Azores boats have completed their grand passage and are now beginning their season abroad, and plans are well underway for both the Downeast and Maritime Rallies this July.

And me?  Well, I'm just absolutely thrilled for all of you out on the water.  Really.  My heart swells with…. something.  Probably envy, if I'm being entirely honest.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2025 ANNAPOLIS RENDEZVOUS

NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2025 SALTY DAWG FOUNDERS AWARD

The Salty Dawg Founders Award, given out annually, recognizes the contributions of an individual who most embodies the spirit of “Sailors Helping Sailors”, the guiding principle of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association, as established by our founders, Bill and Linda Knowles. This award is an important recognition of a special achievement in support of the Salty Dawg community. The award, a custom engraved crystal plaque, is presented by the President of the organization at the Fall Annapolis Rendezvous Dinner.

Nominations for the award will be accepted by the award committee (comprised of 4 members of the Board of Directors) through the conclusion of the summer rallies at the end of August. If you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to our sailing community, please send your nomination by August 15 to [email protected].

Pictured here is last year's award winner, Lynn Hoenke, with former SDSA President Bob Osborn.

US SAILING SAFETY AT SEA OFFSHORE CERTIFICATION

Have you ever set off a flare?  Used a fire extinguisher?  Climbed into a life raft with 5 other people?  Do you know how to avoid or treat hypothermia?  Attend US Sailing's Safety at Sea in-person course to find out.

SDSA is once again partnering with US Sailing to offer the International Offshore Safety at Sea In-Person course on September 21, 2025 at Port Jefferson Yacht Club in Port Jefferson, NY.  Prior to this course, attendees must take the Safety at Sea: Offshore (On-line course) Units 1-15.  

US Sailing offers Salty Dawg members a 10% discount on online SAS training.

Register here

VOLUNTEER TO JOIN A SALTY DAWGS WORKING GROUP

OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!! - THREE MONTHS OF DAWG ADVENTURES!

APP UPDATE - CHANGES COMING SOON

Since we launched the SDSA in September, one of the most frequent complaints has been shortcomings in the messaging system. Later this month, those issues should be addressed. Issues that have frustrated users have been:

1. Message count incorrect. The icon on the home page should show the number of unread messages, but instead it only indicated an unread message(s) existed. 
2. No ability to search messages for keywords.
3. Responses to individual messages could be very hard to find because they didn’t change the order of messages.

SALTY DAWG AZORES RALLY

Written by Bob Osborn, SV Pandora

The inaugural Salty Dawg Azores rally.  Awesome!

The first Salty Dawg rally to the Azores was a terrific success with ten boats making landfall in Horta.  For Pandora, the run began from Trinidad after several months of cruising in the Caribbean, with the 800nm run from St Maarten to Bermuda and 1850 miles to Horta.  After hearing wonderful stories from other Dawgs who have made the run over the last few years, it seemed like it was time for Salty Dawg to add a rally to the Azores, and with the hard work of many board members, the Salty Dawg Azores rally was born.