Seventy boats set sail from Hampton, Virginia, for Tortola, British Virgin Islands, last week under clear skies and a 10-to-15-knot northerly breeze in the 18th annual Caribbean 1500 Cup. Sponsored by the Cruising Rally Association, the event is billed as both a race and a casual cruise, aimed more at safely arriving in the BVI than at setting any speed records. Senior editor Bill Springer tagged along last year aboard a Little Harbor 54 and, after the boat lost its rudder, sailed 600 miles without one. Read about his misadventure here. For more information on the rally, visit www.carib1500.com.

Posted: November 13, 2007