Salty Dawg Sailing Association Launches Member App with Messaging and Rally Tracking

Salty Dawg Sailing Association Launches New Member App

You’ve got to be a Dawg to use it.

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA) has launched a new member app — and it’s quickly becoming one of the standout benefits of joining the nonprofit cruising organization. Known for its annual fall rally from Hampton, Virginia, and Newport, Rhode Island, to Antigua & Barbuda, SDSA continues to expand its support network for offshore sailors.

With a US $80 annual membership, the new app delivers real-time connection and practical cruising tools. Features include:

• A messaging platform similar to WhatsApp

• A searchable member directory

• Rally and member tracking maps

• A growing library of Zoom-based educational webinars

For many members, the webinar archive alone makes the membership worthwhile. The sessions tap into decades of offshore experience and cover everything from passage planning to safety and weather strategy.

Recent App Enhancements

In April, SDSA rolled out additional upgrades. The Social tab now merges Posts and Messages, allowing members to switch between conversations and shared content with a single click. Posts — which support both text and photos — have received an improved layout along with a new search function.

The app is available for both iPhone and Android, and certain features — including Posts, Messages, and the Member Map — are exclusive to the mobile platform and not accessible via desktop.

“We have 500-plus App users, with over 300 using it weekly,” says Michael Benjamin, SDSA president, who took over leadership from Bob Osborn last October. “Messaging remains the most popular feature, but the Member Map is incredibly useful when you arrive at an anchorage and want to connect directly with other Dawgs nearby.”

Benjamin adds that the association actively encourages member feedback as the app continues to evolve.

For cruisers seeking both offshore camaraderie and practical support, the SDSA app is another step toward keeping the fleet connected — whether crossing oceans or sharing a quiet anchorage.

Learn more at:
www.saltydawgsailing.org

Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.