Cruising Rallies Ho!
The southeast coast of the United States offers a wealth of idyllic cruising grounds. However, when the desire strikes to venture further offshore to ports south such as those in the Caribbean, one question may be what is the best way to accomplish this goal as safely as possible. Many southeast sailors choose to cruise in an organized rally.
“I did a lot of research and concluded that the teamwork and association with a rally was the way to get started as a ‘blue water’ cruiser,” says Jamie Wendell, from Annapolis, Md., who learned about rallying while in the yard retrofitting/repairing his Tayana Vancouver 42, Mystic Shadow. “I want to travel the world, and I thought a rally would be a great way to get the indoctrination I need. I think meeting other folks who have taken rallies to heart really got me excited and pushed me to this point. I set a goal to be ready for this fall’s ARC 1500. I should just make it.”
How to Sail Offshore – Wisdom from Experienced Sailors
Phillip Worrall, who bases his Caliber 40, Rum Runner, out of the Chesapeake Bay enjoys the “camaraderie, social and instructional events and reconnecting with rally mates sailing in the Caribbean.” Worrall started with the DelMarVa 400 Rally around the DelMarVa peninsula in 2009, then cast off to the Caribbean on the ARC Caribbean 1500 and in recent years including this one, sails in the Salty Dawg Rally.
“Sailing as part of a rally forces you to be organized and be prepared,” explains Jeff Carpenter, from Fairfax Station, Va. He has sailed on other people’s boats as crew and skippered his Jeanneau 54, Club Carp, to the Caribbean in both the Salty Dawg and ARC Caribbean 1500 rallies. “There are seminars and an inspection process that help you to avoid overlooking the little things like tapeing the lifeline pelican hooks shut and making sure your life raft and flares are up to date.”
What is the best way to prepare if you’re thinking of casting off in a rally this fall?
“This can be a big thing and you and your crew really need to think about it and plan ahead. Flexibility is the operative word,” says Carpenter.
Some, like Wendell, wait for retirement. “I could have never considered a rally until now. I retired last June.”
Boat Prep. First only go on a solid, safe and seaworthy vessel designed for blue water sailing, says Worrall. “No maiden voyages on a rally. New boats until broken in can be a disaster out in the middle of the ocean. As for preparation: standing rigging replacement if over 10 years old, all new sails, complete engine overhaul, complete spares for everything on the boat, good dinghy and motor and proper safety gear.”
Provisioning. “Prepare ahead because you likely won’t be able to cook full meals on a heeling boat while underway,” says Carpenter.
Worrall adds, “To have hot meals every night, pre-cook individual dishes and freeze. Pack in dry ice on the boat, then thaw and heat.”
Safety & Boating Experience. “I took the ARC Ocean Sailing seminar this spring and I completed the ARC DelMarVa in June. That really helped to prepare both mentally and physically.”
“Finding good crew is important,” adds Carpenter. “It’s not about bodies, but bodies with offshore sailing experience.”
Prior experience for the skipper and crew such as sailing at night in rough weather, for example, 30 knot winds and 12-foot seas for several days, is also helpful, says Worrall.
Final Words of Advice? “Sailing as part of a rally is a great experience and fun in a way you would not expect, but it’s tough,” offers Worrall. “Only go if you are prepared physically, mentally, technically and financially. It can be Hell, literally, if you are not fully prepared.”
For more information, visit the websites of the ARC Caribbean 1500 www.worldcruising.com/Carib1500/event.aspx and Salty Dawg Rally saltydawgrally.org
Terry Boram has written for ALL AT SEA since 2012.
Worth your time?
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