FROM THE HELM

By Bob Osborn, SV Pandora, President SDSA

Help Antigua build a better future for you

I am excited to introduce a new scholarship program in support of the marine trades in Antigua, in partnership with the Antigua and Barbuda Marine and Yachting Association, ABYMA,  and the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI.

About 18 months ago my crew member member Bob Farley and I hatched the idea of a scholarship program to support the marine trades in Antigua.

Having access to repairs and technical support when far from home is critical to spending enjoyable time afloat, and everyone soon learns that cruising is simply boat repair in exotic places.  And there is nothing that breaks stuff on boats as much as passage making, so as the fleet arrives in Antigua each season there is often an urgent need to find skilled technicians.  

BREAKING NEWS

APRIL 26 - MAY 2, 2024:  EXUMAS RENDEZVOUS – BAHAMAS

Opening event at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club followed by a cruise up the Exuma chain. Snorkel the Thunderball grotto.  Pet the pigs, pet the sharks, bring champagne to Rachel’s Bubble Bath, and walk on disappearing islands. Join us each night for a free happy hour on the beach.  Learn More.

REGISTER TODAY

JOIN THE SALTY DAWG HOMEWARD BOUND RALLY TO THE US

This rally is a great way to make your way stateside from the Bahamas or Caribbean, a popular offshore passage in the company of other boats heading north in the spring.   Learn more

REGISTER TODAY

NEW COMMUNICATIONS AND TRACKING REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFSHORE RALLIES

We have updated our communications and tracking requirements.  Learn more

PAY IT FORWARD, AND VOLUNTEER FOR A SDSA WORKING GROUP!

The newsletter working group needs one or two new members to help with gathering articles and photos each month.  

Dawg Tales is a monthly publication, intended to strengthen the Salty Dawg community by keeping members and friends updated on cruising and social activities, educational opportunities and other membership benefits.  Responsibilities include coordination with the board regarding important news; outreach to members for articles and photos; and monitoring what the Dawgs are up to.  If you are organized, creative, and enjoy keeping in touch with other Dawgs, whether or not you are currently cruising, this could be an opportunity for you!   Contact [email protected] if interested!

DOMINICA RENDEZVOUS

Written by Jay Pokorski, Incognito

Roughly a dozen Salty Dawgs left Les Saintes Sunday morning for a glorious sail to Dominica, three days before the Salty Dawg Rendezvous officially started. Arrivals continued through the week, until every mooring was taken and the anchorage was full, with roughly 40 Dawgs boats participating. Incognito picked up a mooring right off the P.A.Y.S dock and settled in for a relaxing afternoon before checking in. Once again, our social director had a packed week planned for the Dawgs. Hiking, tours, dinners, and a round of Mexican Train Dominoes to fill in a brief gap Sunday afternoon. Each day turned out to be better than the last. We started out touring the southern side of the island, then began working our way north. Waterfalls, volcanic craters, parrots, hot (hot hot) springs, and more waterfalls. Everywhere we went, the Dominicians were exceptionally welcoming to their spectacular country.

CRUISING NEWFOUNDLAND'S SOUTHWEST COAST

Written by Doug Weibel, Frolic

Cruising northern waters in summer offers an attractive counterpoint to winter sailing in the Bahamas or Caribbean. The Salty Dawgs’ summer rallies are a great way to experience sailing in New England, Maine and Nova Scotia. Having sailed those rallies and coming off another winter in the Bahamas, my wife, Marjorie, and I felt ready for something different. I proposed Newfoundland and we found the south coast is a great summer cruising destination.

The CCA’s Cruising Guide to Newfoundland is a great resource. The main challenges for cruising Newfoundland’s south coast are deep anchorages, cold offshore waters, a coastline with many rocks and ledges, frequent fog and a scarcity of services ashore. In exchange you get a stunningly beautiful cruising ground sparsely populated with very friendly people requiring no long offshore passages.

DAWG PRANKS

This month, we pay tribute to those who perpetrate Dawg Pranks.

As the stars came out in the early evening, four sailors returned gallantly from a day of site-seeing to find their boat in disarray.  Lines were disturbed and candy wrappers scattered around the cockpit.  Their initial alarm faded as they found nothing missing, no signs of any attempt at entry, and no one had tinkered with the ship's bell.  They wondered whether all the litter had been left by kids from a nearby boat, perhaps some lost boys.  Annoyed but no longer concerned, the crew retreated to the underworld of the cabin and enjoyed a sampling of local rum.

The next morning, an email was received from another Dawg boat, to whom we award top marks for their excruciating puns.  It did not require rocket science to deduce that they were in fact the culprits.  Said one of the crew:  “I told you it was a bunch of kids!”

Be warned:  plans for revenge are underway!!

Note - four Dawg boats are referenced here.  But who are they????

AN INTERVIEW WITH YAZU YACHTING:  MEET ANNE AND JONATHON HUTCHINGS
Interviewed by Diane MacDonald-Mackenzie

Tell us about your sailing adventures and what led you to opening a brokerage.

We were teachers in remote rural areas of South Africa, before and just after the end of Apartheid. Our mission was to work in schools which gave Black children in rural areas an opportunity for a good education at a time when that was not an easy thing to achieve. At the end of that mission, we were in need of a change of direction. As inveterate travelers we would take off into Africa in our Land Rover during the school holidays. Having no children of our own, we had some freedom in our decision making and decided to follow Jon’s dream of buying a yacht and going cruising. We purchased our Young Sun 35, ‘Jacana’, in Knysna, South Africa in 1998.   In March of 2000 we set out across the South Atlantic with stops on St Helena and Ascension Islands. 

Later we cruised the North coast of Brazil, French Guyana and on to Trinidad and Tobago. For the next two years we worked called as Captain and Hostess on 50’ charter catamarans.

THIS MONTH IN PICTURES

This February the Salty Dawgs came back to the British Virgin Islands - and what fun was had!
A very special thanks to Nanny Cay Marina, The Bitter End, and Doyle Guides 

MEET THE DAWGS:  Barbera and Ted Owens, Raven

Boat Length and Type:  2007 Leopard 43