2020 NARC Rally: What's Changed

While we are not organizing an official 21st NARC Rally this season, we will be running our Swan Program from Newport to St. Maarten with a planned stop in Bermuda. We will allow others boats to join us as long as they know we are not responsible if countries close up because of a second wave of infections in the United States. We can all hope a vaccine is available this winter to allow more freedom of access once we get to the Caribbean after the New Year. But expect to see restrictions to join as crew on any boat. It is the responsibility of the skipper to make sure crew comply with entry requirements that may be fluid this season as it was last spring.

If you think you may wish to invite people to sail with you as crew this season, please call or e-mail and we can talk about your options.





New NARC 2020 Dates Announced

We have been organizing the NARC Rally since the year 2000. We are almost always offshore for US elections results since Election Day is the first Tuesday in November. This year we are leaving a little early so we can watch election results in Bermuda. So the dates this year are:

2020 NARC Schedule Summary

Arrive in Newport before Saturday, October 24

Departure from Newport: Monday, October 26

Arrive in Bermuda: Prior to November 3, 2020 (October 30 to November 2)

Depart from Bermuda: No Earlier than Wednesday, November 4

Arrive in St. Maarten: November 9 or 10

This year waiting until after Election Day would mean moving the departure date from Newport too late. So this year we will depart on Monday, October 26, 2020. This date still allows for a weather delay and time to reach Bermuda by Election Day results on Tuesday night, November 3. The fleet will depart Bermuda no earlier than Wednesday, November 4 and arrive in St. Maarten 5 or 6 days later. Now you have the dates for the start of the NARC Rally and everyone can schedule accordingly.

Tips from the Pros: Watch Hank in Action

Hank Schmitt is profiled in the several episodes of a new series entitled "Tips from the Pros." Regardless how long you have been sailing, you will learn something new by watching Hank share some of his techniques based upon decades of sailing.

Pro Tips #1

Crew on an Offshore Sailboat Before you Sail Away!

(with Patrick Childress)



Pro Tips #2

Peeing Off a Boat ... How to Use a Sailboat Toilet / Head

(with Patrick Childress)



Pro Tips #3

What if you Hit a Whale and the Whale Strikes Back!

(with Patrick Childress)



Pro Tips #4

How to Clean the Bottom of a Sailboat Underwater!

(with Patrick Childress)



Pro Tips #5

Offshore Passage Preparation: Nothing Should Fall Over or Run Out!

(with Patrick Childress Sailing)



Please contact Hank with any comments and feedback!



