FROM THE HELM

By Bob Osborn, SV Pandora, President SDSA

HEADING SOUTH?  RUN WITH THE DAWGS!

It is hard to believe that the summer is nearly over and planning for the 2024 Salty Dawg Caribbean Rally to Antigua and the Bahamas is in full swing.  Registrations are running at near record levels and we are anticipating upwards of 100 boats with us in November.

As in the last few years, some of the more experienced and faster boats will be departing from Newport, RI but the bulk of the fleet will still leave on or about November 1^st from Hampton, VA, the historic departure port for the Salty Dawg Rally to the Caribbean. 

BREAKING NEWS!!

ANNAPOLIS RENDEZVOUS OCTOBER 10

Don't miss out on our largest gathering of the year! Gather with old friends, make new friends, swap sailing stories and meet some of our sponsors.  Do you dream about sailing around the world?  Visiting Europe or Med? The 2024 Annapolis Rendezvous is your chance to meet Sheryl and Paul Shard who have been sailing internationally for over 30 years!  

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VOLUNTEER AT THE ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOW

The Annapolis Boat Show and our Annual Dinner both offer a great opportunity to support SDSA as a volunteer.

Check out the link below and sign up to help out at our Boat Show booth or at the Rendezvous Dinner.

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CARIBBEAN RALLY

It's time to sign up for the Caribbean Rally!  Departures from Newport and Hampton to points south.  Captains' briefings are underway.  It is not only the largest organized flotilla of cruisers leaving the US East Coast for the Caribbean—but the most fun!  The Caribbean Rally helps sailors arrive safely in the Caribbean and opens the door to new lifelong friends and experiences while cruising.

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FALL WEBINAR SERIES

Our fall webinar series starts on September 3 and is free to all members.  Coming up soon:

    September 10:  Lithium Batteries from a safety perspective and from the practical side of planning, selection and installation

    September 17:  Working while cruising:  SDSA Cruisers roundtable

    October 1: Insurance options when cruising internationally

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INTRODUCING THE NEW SDSA APP!

Written by Michael Benjamin and Allen Roberts

• Messaging your fellow Dawgs (similar to WhatsApp),
• Posting information and photos (similar to Facebook),
• Membership directory, 
• Member and rally tracking maps and
• Library of Zoom education recordings,

SERENITY IN SOMESVILLE

A Hidden Gem on Mount Desert Island

Written by Doug Weibel

After two weeks of hosting guests aboard, Marjorie and I felt it was time to slow down and find a peaceful spot to relax. Our search led us to Valley Cove within Somes Sound on Mount Desert Island, where we rendezvoused with Jeff and Melissa aboard their boat, SV Tribute. While Valley Cove is undeniably beautiful, the daytime traffic and exposure left us longing for something more secluded. Recalling a recent encounter with friends Jim and Stephanie aboard SV Hero, who had just spent several nights in the Somesville anchorage, we decided to give it a try.

FAVORITE PLACES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

Written by John DiMatteo

Greetings from John and Angela DiMatteo on board SV Madrigal currently anchored off the Greek island of Naxos. 

We were recently asked by the Salty Dawgs to write a short article describing the three favorite places we visited in the Mediterranean. We failed our assignment. We are in our third summer in the Mediterranean and have learned that there are so many beautiful and different places to visit it is impossible to narrow the list to three. Instead, we have selected three places that were pleasant surprises, amongst the many pleasant surprises we received while sailing in these waters. 

MEMBER MAP: A YEAR IN REVIEW - AND NEW FEATURES ADDED

Written by Allen Roberts

A year ago, we launched our member map (https://www.saltydawgsailing.org/member-map) to allow SDSA members to locate and connect with each other. We now have an impressive 500+ members around the world, showing their positions and where they have been. Since the map has been gathering data for the last year (August 2023-August 2024), we have collected some interesting statistics.

LITHIUM BATTERIES FOR THE CRUISING BOAT - IS DIY AN OPTION?

Written by Hank J George, Blue Heron

Some of the first lithium/LiFePO4 batteries were installed in boats 14 years ago.  The lithium iron phosphate chemistry is now widely accepted, the preference for refits, and becoming the standard on many new boats.  With an extremely long life, the ability to deeply discharge without damage, faster charging rates, and 1/3^rd the weight of lead acid, it is a natural for the cruising boat.

THIS MONTH IN PICTURES

Salty Dawgs in the Mediterranean....

.... And in New England