From Blue Water Sailing by Joy Smith –
Boat captains and their crews were smiling at the southbound Salty Dawg Rally party held at Bluewater Yachting Center in Hampton, Virginia on November 2, 2012. And why wouldn’t they be? The tent was warm, the food plentiful and delicious, and the atmosphere warm and welcoming, thanks to founders Bill and Linda Knowles (and their mascot, Brie).
Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Knowles opted to delay the Rally start by two days to allow the 59 boats signed up to safely reach Hampton and prepare for departure for the warm waters of the Bahamas, the BVI and Saint Martin. The no-charge passage includes professional weather routing by Chris Parker, as well as SSB daily position checking and chats, courtesy of Doo Dah Net. Fleet tracking and reporting is also available on the Salty Dawg website.
At the three-day event crammed with seminars and presentations, the tent sizzled with enthusiasm and camaraderie. Key speakers included Charles Daneko of Winslow Life Rafts, Joan Conover of the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA), David Gross of Quantum Sails, and retired Air Force Colonel Curtis Morris, an expert on single sideband radio transmission and procedures. Throughout the rally, Bill and Linda fake patek-philippe watches on frequent weather updates from Chris Parker and relayed information about discounted prices and services they procured from local area vendors in Virginia and the BVI.
The outpouring of donations to the Salty Dawg Rally was phenomenal. An original promoter of the event, BWS publisher George Day donated logo-printed ditty bags, which volunteers stuffed with information, while NV-Charts provided chart kits for Bermuda, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Joan Conover of SSCA offered shuttle service to folks requiring groceries and supplies needed for the passage, as did the local West Marine store.
Evening events included a chicken barbecue and a whole-pig roast, prepared on site by PIG-NIC BBQ restaurant, and a rum bar offered by Phil Worrall, owner and captain of Rum Runner. A raffle plumped with lucrative prizes included an inflatable kayak and a wooden pelican, replicating the image on the Salty Dawg website, which was carved and donated by Jim O’Connor, owner and captain of Moriel.
Despite a short weather window and anticipated heavy seas, a convoy of nine Salty Dawgs slipped their leashes and set sail on November 4th. While waiting out an expected storm, the more cautious Dawgs continued rally festivities with casual potluck dinners and a chili cook-off until their departure on November 9th. An arrival celebration will take place at The Bitter End Yacht Club in Virgin Gorda.
A formidable newcomer to the rally business, the Salty Dawgs formed just one year ago with 32 boats, breaking the traditional mold of paid attendance by offering the same kinds of support and information at no charge. Incorporated as a non-profit organization, the rally is funded by donations of time, money and services offered by a growing number of participants and sponsors, both local and worldwide.
Anyone considering joining the Salty Dogs on their northerly trek from Tortola, BVI to Bermuda or a home port in May 2013, or heading to the Caribbean next fall, should register at www.saltydawgrally.org.
Joy Smith is the author of The Perfect First Mate and Kitchen Afloat (www.joysmith.net).