Calling all Salty Dawgs!

Are you a salty dawg?

Rallies are a popular way to cruise with company when transiting from the U.S. East Coast to the Caribbean in the fall. For eight years now, the Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA) has offered a similar trip for those headed back north after wintering in the islands.

This year, the SDSA’s Spring Rally will launch on May 4^th and for the first time, from 99-slip Crown Bay Marina in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

“We have found that cruisers planning to return to the States in the spring have generally worked their way up the island chain by late April or early May, which makes the Virgin Islands a great departure point for us,” says Rick Palm, the SDSA’s director of rally management.

“Crown Bay offers several advantages that make this site selection a good one: onsite boat repair facilities are helpful to those completing last minute boat projects, provisioning is within walking distance and our captain’s briefing/weather routing meetings and social events can be held at the marina’s pub.”

The SDSA will also host a Happy Hour and Safe Arrival Party in the arrival destination of Hampton, Virginia. The dates will be posted on the SDSA’s website closer to the time, according to whether the weather favors a direct sail by the fleet to Hampton or stopover along the way in Bermuda. For those nearby in Hampton, visit the Salty Dawgs to learn more about the organization and its many cruising rallies, including its 2019 Fall Rally back to the Caribbean.

saltydawgsailing.org

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating May 2019

Antigua Sailing Week

Antigua Sailing Week Launches into Second Half-Century

Big is the word for the 52nd Antigua Sailing Week (ASW).

This granddaddy of Caribbean regattas set for April 28th to May 3rd will be notable for both the quantity and quality of entries.

For one, more than 100 yachts are expected to compete in everything from racing to cruising, spinnaker to non-spinnaker, monohull to multihull, and privately owned to chartered bareboat classes.

Second, this year’s event features some spectacularly large yachts. One of these is the Dovell 100 SHK Scallywag with Australian Volvo Ocean Race skipper, David Witt, at the helm. Scallywag will be flying the

Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club burgee. A second is another super maxi, Great Britain’s Sir Peter Harrison’s Farr 115 Sojana. Harrison, a regular entrant, has hoisted the overall winner’s Lord Nelson’s Trophy twice before, including in 2018, proving his Farr and its crew are as capable as they are attractive.

If you’re not racing, the best way to enjoy ASW is via a big view from Shirley Heights, an 18th-century military lookout that sits on a nearby hill at a nearly 500-foot elevation. The vantage point from here spans from English Harbor south and east to the Caribbean Sea. Armchair sailors can also follow the racing with real-tim scoring online at yachtscoring.com.

sailingweek.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating April 2019

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Marigot Bay Resort & Marina

Antigua Sailing Week of Year’s Past

2018

The Grandaddy of Caribbean Regattas kicks off its next half-century of competition and camaraderie. The 51st Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) sets sail April 24-May 4.

On the water, the Club Class returns after its successful debut last year. This class is open to sailors who want to compete in the regatta, but not take their racing too seriously. Correspondingly, there’s a reduced entry fee for this class and scoring is based on a progressive handicap system. More competitive racers can enter Racing, Cruising, Bareboat, and Multihull classes. More than 100 entries are expected with everything from a Volvo Ocean 70 and Melges 24 to a Gunboat 60.

There are also several sleek yachts available for race charter with or without skippers, including Dream Yacht Charter’s Antigua fleet: Sun Odyssey 379s and 519s, a Dufour 405 and a couple of Oceanis 41.1s.

On land, spectators get in on the Antigua Sailing Week fun, says ASW’s commercial director Alison Sly-Adams. “This includes watching the action from the Shirley Heights lookout, where on Sunday, April 29th, the restaurant serves its famous local-style breakfast. It’s also possible to head out on a catamaran to literally ‘Chase the Race’ and see the action up close for a couple of hours followed by a leisurely lunch and snorkel. Events like the nightly parties, lay day beach party and final awards ceremony are free and open to the public.”

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating April 2018

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What’s Open in the BVI’s?

New St. Lucia Restaurant

Regattas Go On

Major Caribbean regattas go on for 2018, despite hurricanes

Rain doesn’t stop the Carnival and neither will the devastating 1-2 punch of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September stop the region’s major spring 2018 regattas. The regattas go on as planned.

In fact, recovery is already well underway, says Michelle van der Werff, director of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, March 1-4, 2018. “Although high numbers of yachts were destroyed and the St. Maarten Yacht Club’s docks and decks were damaged, much of the marine infrastructure is still intact, including sail lofts, riggers and chandleries. By mid-November, a boat owner coming to the island won’t notice any difference.”

Likewise, the St. Thomas Yacht Club was damaged as well as some of the Club’s fleet. However, “we’re determined to hold our 45th annual regatta as the sailing grounds are as magnificent as ever, and it’s the camaraderie of returning teams and new ones that keep us moving forward,” says Chuck Pessler, director of the St. Thomas International Regatta, March 23-25, 2018.

Positive goals for the future are important in the aftermath of a major storm and staging the B.V.I. Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival, March 26-April 1, 2018, is a driving force for Director Judy Petz and her committee, Petz says. “The B.V.I. sailing community has been so gracious and encouraging, and that’s enabled us to start work on hosting our 2018 regatta. Our challenge may be housing, so the more boats that come self-contained the better. The new docks will be in place at Nanny Cay Marina, so our regatta home will be there.”

Les Voiles de St. Barth will take place as planned, April 8-14, 2018, as will Antigua Sailing Week, April 28-May 4, 2018. “Even though Antigua was not touched, as an independent nation we have our storm-damaged sister island of Barbuda to support,” says Regatta Commercial Director Alison Sly-Adams. “We invite sailors to attend our regatta as the best way to support our islands.”

Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating November 2017

Optimist World Championships in Antigua

World Record Entries for Optimist World Championship in Antigua

The 2019 Optimist World Championship will welcome junior sailors from 64 countries July 6 to 16, setting a new record for the most countries competing in a single class regatta.

Even more fantastic is that this is happening in one of the smallest countries on Earth, the 108-square-mile island of Antigua. The Antigua Yacht Club, host of internationally renowned events such as the RORC Caribbean 600 (February) Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (April) and Antigua Sailing Week (April/May), is no stranger to running world class events and is more than ready for the 262 sailors, their coaches, siblings, family, and friends.

“For such a small island to be able to host 64 countries is quite an achievement, and I think it reflects how Antigua is seen as such a great place to sail,” says Paola Vittoria, head of the local organizing committee, who also orchestrated Antigua’s hosting of the Optimist North American Championship in 2015 and 2016.

“There are many fantastic ways to watch the Championship. We have an official spectator boat provided by Wadadli Cats, which will be available to book each day. Or, if you are on land, excellent vantage points include Fort Charlotte, Fort Berkley, Shirley Heights, and Snapper Point.” 2019worlds.optiworld.org

By Carol Bareuther for Southern Boating, July 2019

View additional Caribbean Updates:

Kodiak Queen
Hamilton History

When school’s out the kids go sailing!

Kids from around the Caribbean and world will head to St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., June 13 to 19, for the International Optimist Regatta (IOR) presented by EMS Virgin Islands and the TOTE Maritime Clinic and Team Race. The big draw this year is the chance to use this event as a tune-up for the Optimist North American Championships, which take place in Antigua, July 10 to 18. The perennially favorite feature of the IOR is an opportunity for junior sailors, both novices and advanced, to participate in a three-day clinic taught by top Opti coaches. Add a chance to team race and then fleet race some of the best local, regional and international sailors, plus delight in a destination where younger siblings can play on the beach, and moms and dads can enjoy some family-friendly sightseeing, watersports and dining, and you’ve got one great summer sailing vacation. styc.club/international-optimist-regatta.html

Summer sailing camps

Swap a tent for a boat at one of the many Caribbean-based sailing camps each summer. Sail Caribbean, based in Northport, New York, offers a number of adventures designed for students 11 to 22 years of age. The Alpha two-week program provides junior high and high school students with a chance to learn to sail aboard a 50-foot monohull in the B.V.I. Days are also filled with watersports such as snorkeling and wakeboarding, hands-on marine biology lessons, and hikes ashore on deserted islands and cays. The cost is $3,995 per camper. Those looking for a longer cruise can sign up for the Caribbean Arc Sailing Voyage, a 31-day camp for high schoolers offered by Raleigh, North Carolina-based Broadreach, Inc. This 500-nautical-mile passage starts in St. Martin and ends in Grenada. Along the way, campers can earn several International Yacht Training (IYT) sailing certifications. The cost is $6,480 to $7,280 per camper. School may be out, but camps like these provide incredible life-skills learning experiences for kids. sailcaribbean.com; gobroadreach.com

Summer sailing school

Families can go back to school together by taking one of the region’s many fun learn-to-sail courses. For example, Grenada Bluewater Sailing (GBS) offers a number of classes under the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) scheme aboard its Beneteau Oceanis 461. “Dad or Mom will normally aim for the Day Skipper qualification (minimum age 16) while the kids take the Competent Crew course (no age minimum),” says GBS’s Polly Philipson. Both courses run 5-7 days and cost $1,060 to $1,345 per person, respectively. OnDeck Antigua offers a 2-day beginner Start Yachting course with a choice of living aboard or ashore, and a 5-day liveaboard beginner Competent Crew course, both on Dehler 39s. There is no age restriction on either of these courses as long as a family books the whole boat. Otherwise, Start Yachting is for those ages 16 and older. Rates start at $940 per person for five days. “Learning to sail is a great family holiday,” says OnDeck Antigua owner Peter Anthony. “It’s not all hard work. There is plenty of time for relaxation, and often families will book a night or two shoreside at either end to sightsee the island.” grenadabluewatersailing.com; ondecksailing.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating Magazine June 2016

Caribbean’s Kick-Off

Expect fun and rum at the 46th Budget Marine Spice Island Billfish Tournament hosted out of the Grenada Yacht Club in St. George’s. Fifty or more boats carrying over 200 anglers from throughout the Caribbean, U.S. mainland and Europe will vie for trophy billfish January 20-24. Last year, 77 blue marlin and sailfish were caught and released. “Teams are drawn to Grenada by the camaraderie and the party atmosphere at the marina and the well-organized event, but mostly they come for the great fishing our island has to offer,” says former organizer and longtime participant, Captain Gary Clifford, who owns and operates True Blue Sportfishing charters. Prizes and trophies are awarded to the anglers and boats with the most points, scored by their number of billfish releases.

For supportive family and friends, there are a couple of great spectator opportunities. Watch the boats on parade at 6:45AM January 21st from the Carenage, then head up to Fort George for the best view of the 7:30AM start when the cannon fires signaling the start of the competition. The second best spectating is watching the fleet come back to the marina at the end of a successful fishing day. Nightly parties, as well as the lay day festivities on January 23rd, feature plenty of Grenadian rum from its Clarke’s Court, Westerhall Estate and River Antoine distilleries. All three of these rum-producing plants offer guided tours with liberal samples—a must-do when the fishing is done. sibtgrenada.com

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Mount Gay Round Barbados Race Series

The rum theme continues in Barbados for the Mount Gay Round Barbados Race Series. The headline event in this January 14-24 series hosted out of the Barbados Cruising Club in Carlisle Bay is the 60-mile circumnavigation of Barbados on January 21st. Teams from throughout the world will seek to set or break one of the 14 currently established records in a variety of classes in order to win their skipper’s weight in Mount Gay Extra Old Rum. “All yachts entered in the Round Barbados Race will be fitted with trackers so you can watch their progress from any computer or handheld device,” says organizer, Alene Krimholtz. “If you’re on-island, good spots for viewing include the Barbados Cruising Club for all starts and finishes, the Beach House Restaurant in St. James for west coast progress, the North Point of Barbados as the fleet comes together, the Crane Hotel Barbados for east coast progress, and Tapas Restaurant on the South Coast as the boats draw near the finish.” Daily events and after-race parties are open to all, and the Mount Gay Rum will certainly be flowing. mountgayrumroundbarbadosrace.com

By Carol Bareuther, Southern Boating January 2015