More News, Releases, and Articles

Steve Black, Founder and President of the Crusing Rally Association, was recently profiled in All At Sea. Here's what he had to say ....

About his passion, single-handed ocean sailing:

“It's fun to be a generalist, a cook, a mechanic, a tactician, a sail trimmer, it’s a challenge,”  says Steve about his passion, single-handed sailing

About the role of experienced sailors in our rallies:

“It’s a misnomer that the rally is for sailors cruising offshore for the first time. The vast majority, over 90 percent, have at least one person aboard who has done the rally before. Every year the volunteer pool gets larger. We find newcomers do grab at the chance to have an experienced person on board."

About the changes he has seen:

“Charter companies push clients to charter boats 50-foot and over, and that means when people buy boats they are buying that size or larger. We’re also seeing people with newer boats. When we started, a boat from the early 80s wasn’t considered that old. Today, people are cruising down on new boats. You might say that they expect the technology will make up for a lack of experience.”

More about changes he has seen:

"The first ralliers were more of the gunkholers. Sailors today aren’t learning from their parents or old-timers or necessarily starting as dinghy sailors. Instead, they are learning through yacht club sailing programs and sailing schools. This has led to changes in what we teach in seminars. For example, etiquette in communication with commercial ships is now a topic. Sailors who grew up sailing with their parents knew right-of-way and not to disturb a ship unless there’s a real reason.”

About the satisfaction of friendships:

"The most satisfying aspects of starting the Caribbean 1500 Rally and other rallies such as the Atlantic Cup and now the Bahamas Cruising Rally are the friendships formed. We had 235 past ralliers meet at a reunion at the Annapolis Boat Show this year.

About the Bahamas Cruising Rally and Cuba:

”Sometime this fall I think we’ll see the travel ban to Cuba lifted. When it is, the islands of the Bahamas and Cuba will be one big cruising area that will see a lot of demand.”

To read the entire Profile on Steve, click here.