Who Let The Dawgs Out!

[Nicholson58]

Go ahead, sing it.

Salty Dawgs departed a bit early for Bahamas and Antigua. About 60 boats.

We are currently on the hard in Jolly Harbor, Antigua and hustling to get in the water. We splash on the 4th and head to English Harbor ASAP to welcome the fleet in. The bottom is done, the prop is coated. We ran into a hiccup when the flanged water heater element corroded through and needed replacing. I fortunately anticipated replacement since the element had failed last season. It’s been a bummer getting the new one to seal. I spent the day making custom parts and gaskets. As always, it’s buried deep under a mess of other stuff. It will be weeks before my hands heal.

Many group events are planned.

[Sparx]

Every year I enjoy following the Salty Digs as they head south. I look at the weather forecast to decide the course I woud sail, then compare that to the individual boat courses.

The Caribbean bound boats are on rhumb line course well south of Bermuda. Predictwind suggests a light wind from behind. I am thinking there will be starboard tack tomorrow as they touch north westerly flowing trades. Staying on starboard tack the course will rotate from east to south as the trades become easterly for a nice beam reach to finish. Looks like fun.

The Bahama bounders are likely having some very fine sailing

[Nicholson58]

My take on it was that on 28 October the boats should have gone due East from the Chesapeake using both wind and Gulf Stream. After bearing a bit south, exit the stream NW of Bermuda and turn due south. This wold have accomplished all necessary Easting and then follow the spill N, NW off the storm to head south on a line east of the low wind they currently enjoy. Apparently, Chris Parker also wanted them to head substantially East as well.

We splash tomorrow and head for English Harbor on Saturday. We expect to be about four days ahead of the fleet leaders. Saw the North Sail guys today about a new 3DI Genoa. Sails are aboard and all things we can think about are done. We check out of the villa AM and dinghy to the marina. The cabin looks OK and the fridge is running. Shake down the engine and generator on anchor Friday.

We are looking forward to reconnecting with many old friends and meeting new Dawg friends.

[GordMay]

The World Health Organization announced that dogs cannot contract COVID-19. Dogs, previously held in quarantine, can now be released.
To be clear: WHO let the dogs out!

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by GordMay

The World Health Organization announced that dogs cannot contract COVID-19. Dogs, previously held in quarantine, can now be released.
To be clear: WHO let the dogs out!

Thanks Gord, marvelous.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by GordMay

The World Health Organization announced that dogs cannot contract COVID-19. Dogs, previously held in quarantine, can now be released.
To be clear: WHO let the dogs out!

Brilliantly crafted!!

[Hoodsail]

Gord, brilliant!!
....what about CATS!!!???
....oops, thread robber???

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by Hoodsail

Gord, brilliant!!
....what about CATS!!!???
....oops, thread robber???

When does the LION roar?

At the beginning of the movie, of course.

[Sparx]

Looks like a lot of motoring into the wind, with a few boats tacking into the south east wind. The wind they are in is feeding into the low forming off Florida this weekend.

A few boats north and east of the pack look better positioned to finish well. If I was in the pack I would move to starboard tack heading east for the next few days to get a bunch of easting in before turning south. Continuing south east on the rhumb line looks miserable to my eye.

We will see what happens over the next 24 to 48 hours as individual boats make their decisions.