The Salty Dawg Spring Rally to the U.S. departs the Virgin Islands and heads to various ports on the East Coast of the US or to Bermuda. The 2019 Spring Rally to the U.S. has made landfall. All participants have reached their destination of choice on the Eastern Seaboard.
The Spring Rally is a diverse group made up of North American cruisers returning after a season in the sun and European cruisers continuing their “Atlantic Circle” ... some looking forward to a summer on the East Coast of the U.S. As always, the Spring Rally is a great way to meet other cruisers and to sail offshore in company.
Join us for weather routing, position tracking....and lots of fun!
All Salty Dawg rallies and events are led by seasoned sailors who volunteer their time and knowledge to help cruisers realize their dreams.
If you would like to join us as a volunteer, we would love to benefit from your passion, personality, and expertise as we plan future events. Click here to volunteer.
About the spring rally
Departure
Crown Bay Marina, Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas, Virgin Islands
A full pre-departure schedule of events is planned for those leaving with the Salty Dawg Spring Rally to the U.S.:
- Daily pre-departure briefings by weather router and forecaster, Chris Parker of Marine Weather Center, include group discussions.
- Social activities offer a great opportunity to share sea stories from your winter in the sun and plan summer cruising activities....perhaps including the Salty Dawg Rally to Maine and Rally to Nova Scotia.
- Help in passage preparation is readily available from veteran Salty Dawgs.
Click here for more information on Arrival and Destination Events for the Spring Rally.
DESTINATION
Some rally participants may choose to extend their cruising season by stopping in Bermuda or select another East Coast port for entry into the U.S.
But those who elect to finish the rally at this year's primary destination port will enjoy planned welcome activities at Blue Water Yachting Center in Hampton VA.
More information about the Destination schedule at Blue Water Yachting Center will be posted as details become available.
MEMBER DISCOUNTS
If you aren’t a member of the SDSA already, you will become one when you register for a rally, so be sure to take advantage of Member Discounts on a wide variety of marine products and services that can help you prepare for your trip. Click here.
at sea
Once underway, our OCENS – sponsored “Follow the Fleet” tracking system will record your position on the tracking map.
- Friends, family, and armchair sailors can follow your track by accessing the Follow the Fleet link on the Salty Dawg Sailing Association web site.
- Our Shoreside Team monitors your progress daily and is an important element of our communications with the fleet.
- In addition, as a courtesy to our fleet, the US Coast Guard Command Center 5th District Office of Public Affairs, Portsmouth, VA monitors our tracking site to be better prepared to assist, if needed.
- Each Captain receives daily weather updates by email and can access personalized weather routing suggestions, if needed.
- Daily SSB radio nets keep boats in contact with each other, sharing tales of offshore problem-solving and fishing successes.
RALLY FEES
- Current SDSA Members – $200
- Non-SDSA Members – $275 (Includes your first year SDSA Membership fee.)
All fees include a Rally Flag.
HELPFUL LINKS
SHOW YOUR TRUE COLORS AS A SALTY DAWG
Hats, shirts and other merchandise featuring our ubiquitous Love-Me-Love-My Dawg logo are available for sale at Salty Dawg events. Wear a colorful Salty Dawg hat or shirt to denote your status as one of our special breed. All proceeds support the mission of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association.
Click here to purchase a Salty Dawg Sailing Cap. Eight spectacular colors to choose from!
Or, join the Salty Dawg Sailing Association and buy your burgee! Click here.
For more information, Contact SDSAstore@saltydawgsailing.org