The 14th Annual NARC Rally is Free. The 14 Annual North American Rally to the Caribbean (NARC) departs November 3rd 2013 from Newport RI (or best weather window near that date.) First organized in 2000 the NARC Rally is now a free rally. Both the NARC Rally and “Salty Dawg Rally” (departing from Hampton Roads Virginia) see no reason to profit from the annual migration of boats heading south from the US East Coast, but rather encourage boats that are heading south anyway to join together for the socials, discounts and safety of traveling in a group.

All seaworthy boats are welcome to begin gathering the last week in October at the Newport Yachting Center in Newport RI. The last two years the rally is geared more towards larger boats and pro crewed boats and experienced skippers. Smaller boats and less experienced skippers are encouraged to join the “Salty Dawg Rally” departing from the Chesapeake.

Weather routing is presented by Ken McKinley of “Locust Weather”. In Bermuda we will be hosted by the St. Georges Dinghy & Sports Club. The IGY Marina Group is sponsoring the rally finish with 2 days free dockage and 10% off for as long as you stay at the Simpson Bay Marina St. Maarten.

The NARC Rally traditionally attracts professionally crewed yachts. Experienced private boats owners are welcome to join. The rally started as a venue to move the Swan Charter fleet south and has morphed into an annual rally for boats making the annual pilgrimage. OPO also offers a free crew network service to crew that will sail for free and pay their own way to and from the boat. There is no reason to sail shorthanded. When the weather gets up or the auto-pilot stops working, an extra pair of hands can make all the difference as evident in the loss of crew member Jan Anderson aboard “Triple Stars” in 2011.

Rally Benefits:

– Discount dockage in all three ports

– Weather routing

– Radio Net

– Fuel Discount

– No Head Tax in Bermuda

– Socials in Newport

– Bermuda Fish Fry

– IGY Marina