ccscott49
Well-Known Member
ARC is not my thing, but I would be going Canaries, Cape Verdes and across anyway.
I prefer to do things my way.
I prefer to do things my way.
ARC - do you admire or despise?
- Thread starter EBunting
- Start date
Koeketiene
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Slightly at odds with my experience, as I talk to people at the finish every year. Wondered if 'so many' was more than, what, 20, 50, 100?
Bearing in mind 10,000 people have now crossed with the ARC.
[/ QUOTE ]
Having finished once (not my own boat) let me comment:
- Catching people right as they finish is not a good idea. There's the high of "we made it". Everyone is on an adrenaline rush. Our skipper moaned about the ARC organisation (cost, crap weather forecasts,...) nearly every day. The day he stepped ashore I'm sure he spoke about them in glowing terms.
If you're honestly interested in what participants think - why not speak to them after a couple of days/weeks?
- As to the number of previous participants - as Andrew pointed out, it's not like they're looking for repeat business. Of all the past participants I'm sure a good number of them crossed the Atlantic more than once. How many did it with the ARC more than once?
Finally: over the last few years the ARC seems a far cry from Jimmy Cornell's original Corinthian intentions. Don't think there were racers or corporate boats in the first ARC.
Slightly at odds with my experience, as I talk to people at the finish every year. Wondered if 'so many' was more than, what, 20, 50, 100?
Bearing in mind 10,000 people have now crossed with the ARC.
[/ QUOTE ]
Having finished once (not my own boat) let me comment:
- Catching people right as they finish is not a good idea. There's the high of "we made it". Everyone is on an adrenaline rush. Our skipper moaned about the ARC organisation (cost, crap weather forecasts,...) nearly every day. The day he stepped ashore I'm sure he spoke about them in glowing terms.
If you're honestly interested in what participants think - why not speak to them after a couple of days/weeks?
- As to the number of previous participants - as Andrew pointed out, it's not like they're looking for repeat business. Of all the past participants I'm sure a good number of them crossed the Atlantic more than once. How many did it with the ARC more than once?
Finally: over the last few years the ARC seems a far cry from Jimmy Cornell's original Corinthian intentions. Don't think there were racers or corporate boats in the first ARC.
EBunting
Group Editor
I'll ask the editor to send me back out a few weeks afterwards: good idea /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Thanks!
Oops, am getting drawn in here.... Just a couple of points. Racers. There were 20 in the racing division list this year, though I think some dropped out. That's about the normal number. So sub-10% of participants.
Corporate boats. I don't remember any corporate business going on and there are very few sponsored yachts in the ARC. The only one I see this year is Pindar's VO60 (she's on charter to Russian sailors from a club in St Petersburg). There are always quite a number of charter boats, but you can never know how many because the ARC organisers don't charge differently or even ask.
Repeat business? That's a good question. Each year I meet some people doing the ARC again in their own boats. An interesting observation is that they nearly always cross quicker than the first time!
I did the ARC in the JC days (own boat, and yes paid full sum of own money before you ask) and I thought it was good. But I've also covered it for the last 17 years - starting as a child scribe, of course - and have seen it change. Bluewater cruising in general has changed and the ARC people are a bit younger on average. I also notice they have WAAAY higher expectations. However I do reckon the ARC has steadily improved.
Not for everyone, of course, for all the reasons outlined by others.
Actually, come to think about it I have the completed YW questionnaires from all the ARC participants during the past 7 years, and one of the questions we always ask is about their satisfaction with the event, so I guess the answer is here somewhere. I will dig it out..
Elaine
Oops, am getting drawn in here.... Just a couple of points. Racers. There were 20 in the racing division list this year, though I think some dropped out. That's about the normal number. So sub-10% of participants.
Corporate boats. I don't remember any corporate business going on and there are very few sponsored yachts in the ARC. The only one I see this year is Pindar's VO60 (she's on charter to Russian sailors from a club in St Petersburg). There are always quite a number of charter boats, but you can never know how many because the ARC organisers don't charge differently or even ask.
Repeat business? That's a good question. Each year I meet some people doing the ARC again in their own boats. An interesting observation is that they nearly always cross quicker than the first time!
I did the ARC in the JC days (own boat, and yes paid full sum of own money before you ask) and I thought it was good. But I've also covered it for the last 17 years - starting as a child scribe, of course - and have seen it change. Bluewater cruising in general has changed and the ARC people are a bit younger on average. I also notice they have WAAAY higher expectations. However I do reckon the ARC has steadily improved.
Not for everyone, of course, for all the reasons outlined by others.
Actually, come to think about it I have the completed YW questionnaires from all the ARC participants during the past 7 years, and one of the questions we always ask is about their satisfaction with the event, so I guess the answer is here somewhere. I will dig it out..
Elaine
FAITIRA
Well-Known Member
It certainly wouldn,t be for me, but I know some very nice people who have enjoyed the ARC, why anyone should "despise" it I can,t imagine!
Swagman
Well-Known Member
With respect, I'm not even sure why the questions been asked.
You pays your money and you makes your choices.
No one forces people to take part and there's something not quite right with one set of sailors 'dispising' another. We are after all, in the same 'boat' and its a bit like the motor boat / sailing yacht devide. We've actually all got more in common than we have differences.
So in my opinion, the event is good overall for the sailing scene - as well as participants.
Those who don't want a pre-planned schedule or the parties at least know if they cross at a similar time there are going to be another 250 yachts milling around - and this year as has happened many times before - its been ARC boats who've been around to help some of the NARCs who've run into trouble.
Would I do it again? Yes.
Cheers
JOHN
You pays your money and you makes your choices.
No one forces people to take part and there's something not quite right with one set of sailors 'dispising' another. We are after all, in the same 'boat' and its a bit like the motor boat / sailing yacht devide. We've actually all got more in common than we have differences.
So in my opinion, the event is good overall for the sailing scene - as well as participants.
Those who don't want a pre-planned schedule or the parties at least know if they cross at a similar time there are going to be another 250 yachts milling around - and this year as has happened many times before - its been ARC boats who've been around to help some of the NARCs who've run into trouble.
Would I do it again? Yes.
Cheers
JOHN
tcm
...
i agree with AB guapa and snowleopard amonst others. Despise is too strong, but the arc does pretend to offer a veil of easing the admin load and extra safety when in truth you are on your own. Paying someone, anyone, to lessen these factors is a tad nonsensical.
Fact is, Las palmas is a nasty harbour and so is st lucia. More than anything, avoiding these places a good reason to avoid the arc.
I met lots of rather cheesed off types who felt that the arc shd mean they get served first in bars, first at the fuel pontoon, first in customs when in fact the arfc gave none of these things. You can join any event, and ask at the arc office (in st lucia anyway) for information about dentists, helicopters, anything = swmbo dis it all the time so the orgainsers smiled and nodded at us, oblivious ( with 250 ish crews) at who is ardc and who not.
If you want want a marina berth in st lucia, join the arc AND get a fast boat cos those taking "weks or more were rafted at the fuel pontoon. Much cheaper (free actually) is anchor in the marina and dinghy around.
Of course, loads of nice people in the arc, same as any saily thing.
Fact is, Las palmas is a nasty harbour and so is st lucia. More than anything, avoiding these places a good reason to avoid the arc.
I met lots of rather cheesed off types who felt that the arc shd mean they get served first in bars, first at the fuel pontoon, first in customs when in fact the arfc gave none of these things. You can join any event, and ask at the arc office (in st lucia anyway) for information about dentists, helicopters, anything = swmbo dis it all the time so the orgainsers smiled and nodded at us, oblivious ( with 250 ish crews) at who is ardc and who not.
If you want want a marina berth in st lucia, join the arc AND get a fast boat cos those taking "weks or more were rafted at the fuel pontoon. Much cheaper (free actually) is anchor in the marina and dinghy around.
Of course, loads of nice people in the arc, same as any saily thing.
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
"Fact is, Las palmas is a nasty harbour and so is st lucia. More than anything, avoiding these places a good reason to avoid the arc".
Even more good reason for all NARC'ers to make Barbados their first land fall in the new world!
OK, if you are anchored in Carlisle Bay you do tend to be kept awake by the two nightclubs on the beach going every night at full dbs until 0400 or so, but you can anchor at the other end of the bay to get away from it....
Or you can anchor up at the north end, off Port St Charles, which is really rather nice.
Most yachts who arrive here say something like - 'Oh, we were not planning on coming to Barbados, but we did, and we have been here for 4 weeks now, and we dont want to leave....'
And yes, I know that somebody will come back now with a totally contrary reply, but such is life!
Even more good reason for all NARC'ers to make Barbados their first land fall in the new world!
OK, if you are anchored in Carlisle Bay you do tend to be kept awake by the two nightclubs on the beach going every night at full dbs until 0400 or so, but you can anchor at the other end of the bay to get away from it....
Or you can anchor up at the north end, off Port St Charles, which is really rather nice.
Most yachts who arrive here say something like - 'Oh, we were not planning on coming to Barbados, but we did, and we have been here for 4 weeks now, and we dont want to leave....'
And yes, I know that somebody will come back now with a totally contrary reply, but such is life!
tcm
...
yep, i missed yer. BUT barbados is liked by Michael Winner, so it must be godawful, a bit?
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
"BUT barbados is liked by Michael Winner, so it must be godawful, a bit?"
No.
You dont HAVE to stay at Sandy Lane with Mr. Loser - plenty of other fine places to stay, and things to do and see without running the risk of bumping into over-egoed celebrities.
If one said that Britain is liked by GW Bush and aspiring terrorists, what opinion would one form then?
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Me? I would still say it is a wonderful country.
No.
You dont HAVE to stay at Sandy Lane with Mr. Loser - plenty of other fine places to stay, and things to do and see without running the risk of bumping into over-egoed celebrities.
If one said that Britain is liked by GW Bush and aspiring terrorists, what opinion would one form then?
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Me? I would still say it is a wonderful country.