Tom, reading your well said words, and a few other recent threads got me to thinking.

You asked, “Is the "herd" mentallity enhanced by rallies? If so, is it better to add safety programs, socializing with more experienced crews, or best to just go alone? I don't see any answers to opinions either way. The big question to me is, do we rescue boats in trouble at sea? I say yes. Other than that, everybody is on their own. I want to go where I want when, I want on my boat.”

From my view, limited as it is, I think the "herd" mentality IS enhanced by rallies. I also don't think it's restricted to a stated rally.

When we cast off our dock lines and headed down the West coast, we looked into the Baha Ha Ha. But decided against joining it for many reasons. That aside, what we DID decide was that we were venturing out there on our own and were responsible for our self’s. Yes, we did take all the safety gear that was available at the time, but we always approached our venture like we were on a spacecraft (falling back on my working life). Yes, there might be a rescue, but DON'T COUNT ON IT!

At any rate, when we were in Ensenada Mexico having a good time, and listened to the morning net each day. On the net, a guy would give the weather and prediction for the day. Then, just after the formal net would be a flurry of calls of boats asking each other, “are you going today?”. We would watch people bunch up, then an armada take off. On the surface this sounds like just prudent measures. That is, only if you know that everyone, or at least the ring leader, is getting the correct info!

One day, the weather guy gave an, “ALL CLEAR to head out call”. I responded that I had earlier heard another (VERY WELL KNOWN to me, Don Anderson) weather guy call for high winds. The local guy then dressed me down in no uncertain terms, that I was stupid, and he had credentials!

Two boats departed. Within 48 hours, both were back. One, had the aluminum roller furling extrusion ripped open as the jib was torn out. The other had some minor damage, and both had some hair raising stories.

For a few weeks, every AM people would ask me if I was departing. In EVERY case, I would tell people they needed to make up there own mind! A few wanted to "buddy boat" with us and I had to inform them that we are only 27 feet!

In the end, it's your boat, you are the captain, make up your own mind and take the responsibility! Like you said, “I want to go where I want when, I want on my boat.”

Greg
By the way, I was not out there for the SDR and will NOT make ANY statements about it. Unless you were there on one of the boats, don't make judgements.