In '09 we were planning on leaving a day or so before the 1500 heading to the VI's with wife and I on our Westsail 42. A late L pressure developed off the coast of FL and climbed up the East coast off shore. We hunkered down for a a couple of days in Hampton and waited. The 1500 went off as scheduled and we thought WTF! Are they crazy? Reading many of the blogs and hearing from some of the crews when we reached the VI's - I believe they were.

We didn't have an over abundance of Testosterone on the boat and so we choose to take the ditch S to Beufort. Too, we didn't have a schedule. WE headed S mostly for something to do cause we were a bit bored waiting. Two other friends boats made the same choice. Both husband and wife teams, one team was 40 ish and the other our age, early retiree's. In Beufort we sat for a few more days waiting for the right window to cross the stream and make some good easting.

We left with I think 6 boats heading S. and made our own net for check in's, wx reports, fishing reports and general boat info. No major damage on any boat (Although I screwed up and fouled my roller furler while heaving too to wait for dawn just N of Jost.

I think often the rallies go because many of the crew are on time schedules and many boats have "extra" crew (believing that extra crew means extra safety). While the concept seems to be a great idea, veterans helping newbies, the execution leaves a lot to be desired. If they would provide a two week window for leaving and team veterans with newbies it might be a workable solution. However, attempting to duplicate the excitement of a race start and all begining at the same time is IMHO just plain DUMB! Some boats and crews may find one condition acceptable while other might find the conditions would push one to wait. The sea doesn't care what boat you are in but what boat you are in should effect the conditions you leave in. And while many coastal cruisers have circumnavigated that goes to the intelligence and caution of the crew, not the strength of the boat. In the right conditions most boats can handle the ocean; Webb Chiles demonstrated that. In the wrong conditions; while the crew may survive, Disney is a better option for adrenaline then the ocean.

Ciao