Each fall there are four established rallies that take sailors offshore to the sunny isles of the Caribbean, Bahamas and the beaches of Mexico. Hundreds of sailors take part and many are fulfilling their life-long cruising dreams. But, of course, Covid-19 has changed all that. As of the first of October, one month before the rallies are generally scheduled to start, where do they stand and what’s happening to all of those offshore sailors? Two rallies have been cancelled outright. The annual Baja Ha Ha from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico has been officially cancelled for 2020. There are often 200 boats participating, so this is a blow to the West Coast cruising community. Check social media for informal groups who are sailing to Mexico in company this year. The Caribbean 1500 that runs from Norfolk, VA to the BVI has been cancelled, or postponed to 2021, as the organizers say. That rally usually has about 25 boats, so the skippers entered will have to find their own ways south. The North Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, NARC, has been cancelled due to Covid restrictions in the U.S. and Caribbean. This is a fairly informal rally that usually has 25 to 30 boats that leave from Newport, RI and sails to St. Martin via Bermuda. However, the founder and manager of the NARC, Hank Schmitt, will be sailing south in early November with his usual Swan event. He has invited boats to sail with him in company, if they like, but he will not assume any rally responsibilities; each boat will be entirely self-sufficient. (www.sailopo.com).
The largest East Coast Rally, the Salty Dawg Fall Rally, is going forward with their event, albeit under a cautionary flag. The event will leave Hampton, VA in early November and will have destinations in Antigua and Harbour Town, Bahamas. Both destinations are open to U.S.-flagged yachts. Instead of the normal social events and seminars associated with the Rally, participants will practice social distancing and will be required to have Covid tests prior to departure. Rally organizers have put together very detailed instructions on how to participate and stay safe. There are already 50 boats signed up, so if you are still heading south to the sun this fall and want to sail in company, the SD Fall Rally is the way to do so. Check out the website here.
