About Us

OUR MISSION

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA) is a nonprofit educational and charitable organization that conducts seminars, rallies and rendezvous to help sailors realize their long distance cruising dreams. The Association strives to transfer knowledge and skills from veteran “Salty Dawgs” to less experienced cruisers, enabling independent decision-making and offshore confidence. The SDSA is a flexible close-knit collection of like-minded people with a passion for ocean sailing and the camaraderie of cruising life. The activities are made possible through the combined efforts of members, volunteers, sponsors and contributors. Memberships in the Association are available for anyone interested in passage making or long distance cruising. Salty Dawg burgees are found on vessels around the world.

FUN STUFF ABOUT THE DAWGS

LOOKING FORWARD

As with all organizations, the secret to sustainability is a strong network of people working together to achieve our mission, maintain our passion, and have fun. As we look forward, we plan to increase our event schedule and educational programs, carrying on the legacy of the organization’s founders.

The expansion of the Salty Dawg Rally to the Salty Dawg Sailing Association means that we are building the organization from a small number of founders and volunteers who managed a couple of rallies each year to a large contingent capable of launching a full schedule of educational, sailing, and social programs. We are volunteer-run and rely on the willingness of experienced cruisers to pass on their knowledge to the next generation….always with an emphasis on camaraderie and fun.

We are reaching out to a broader membership, expanding on our original focus on experienced “Salty Dawgs” to include cruisers interested in developing bluewater sailing skills for future ocean adventures, whether as crew or as boat owners. Our membership rolls are increasing as a result. Please join us.

Thanks to our members, event participants, volunteers, and sponsors, the Salty Dawg Sailing Association is a growing, vibrant, mission-oriented organization.

Without you, this would not be possible. Thank you.

---- Hank George, President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Hank George – President

Jo Ella Barnes – Secretary

Sheldon Stuchell - Director of Rally Management

Bob Osborn – Rally Management Team, Antigua Port Captain

Ken Gelao - Crew Service, Membership, Dawg Tales Editor

John Makar -Treasurer

Tim Metcalf -Rally Management Team, Rally Communications 

Bennett Kashdan - Sponsor Program

In recognition of his contributions to the Salty Dawg Sailing Association as a Founder and President, Bill Knowles has been awarded the honorary title of President Emeritus.

OUR HISTORY

Little did Bill and Linda Knowles from Bristol, RI know what they were getting into when, in 2011, they contacted a few friends who would be sailing from the northeast to the BVI in the fall to see if they wanted to sail in company. From that small conversation, the Salty Dawg Rally was born.

Click here for the rest of the story.

MILESTONES

  • 2011: First Salty Dawg Fall Rally to the Caribbean
  • 2012: First Salty Dawg Spring Rally to the US
  • 2012: First Salty Dawg Rendezvous – Annapolis Boat Show
  • 2012: Formation of the Salty Dawg Rally as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational and charitable organization (The Salty Dawg Rally, dba Salty Dawg Sailing Organization, EIN: 46-1339267)
  • 2012: Formation of the First Salty Dawg Rally Board of Directors
  • 2013: First Annapolis Seminar for Long Distance passage makers
  • 2016: First Salty Dawg Rally to Maine
  • 2016: Formation of the Salty Dawg Sailing Association
  • 2017: First Salty Dawg Rally to Cuba
  • 2018: First Salty Dawg Rally to Nova Scotia

PRIVACY POLICY

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association (SDSA) places a high priority on protecting your privacy. This privacy policy was created in order to demonstrate our commitment to the privacy of our members and website users.

Click here to read the complete text of our Privacy Policy.