arc

[marcot]

I'm considering to join the ARC in 2014. when in st lucia or nearby island which is the safest harbour to leave the boat for some months? on the hard or in the water? where can I find last year ARC skipper handbook ?
thks

 

[AndyJ76]

The handbook is here http://www.worldcruising.com/CMS/CMS/Library/entry_packs/ARC2013_Regulations_ENG.pdf

 

[marcot]

Thks Andy but Arc participants receive a complete package full of info about the rally. It is divided in 5 or 6 sections each 30 or more pages

 

[AndyJ76]

This is the St Lucia section
http://www.worldcruising.com/CMS/CMS/Library/event_docs_ARC/ARC2013_06_SaintLucia.pdf

 

[Ariadne]

Haul in St Lucia and you'll be fine, I wouldn't leave a boat unattended at anchor for months - the locals and other yachties will strip it like a swarm of locusts going over a corn field.

You can also haul in St Maarten or Antigua, or any of the other islands further south. If you are planning to be away over hurricane then Trinidad or Grenada will be your best bet. Trini' will be cheaper and hasn't had a hurricane for over 60 years or there about's, while Grenada has had 2 or 3 over the last 8 -10 years, and will cost a bit more.

I think you can haul on the French islands, but you'll be paying French prices with a French attitude and maybe not so safe. Recently an Aussie bloke left his boat in the marina in St Martin (French side) for two months, and came back to find it stripped - inside and out, linnen, plates all electronics, the lot. Security cameras and security guards saw nothing, no sign of break in either!! Now lets be fair it takes a while and quite a bit of traffic to strip a boat to that extent and not be seen....

 

[TQA]

Storage in or out of the water in St Lucia at Rodney bay would be fine. The IGA marina is very sheltered. But you would need a haul afterwards as it is also very fertile.

A lot of boats seem to spend years in Martique at anchor in Cul de Sa du Marin. But as others have said security might be an issue.

If you know you are hauling for the hurricane season BOOK EARLY the popular yards will be full.

 

[SimonJ]

Haul and store possible in
St Lucia
Antigua (3 plus places)
Grenada 3 again
St Martin
Martinique several
Trinidad - wide choice
St Vincent
Guadeloupe
BVIs & USVIs - wide choice but expensive
They all want you to book early but probably more because times are tight than anything else.
Worth bearing mind air links/tickets cost when choosing.
Why do the ARC by the way...? Why not join the many others who do it on their own? Not strictly alone as there are plenty of social groups and radio nets etc etc and you choose when to set off.

 

[Tradewinds]

Boats have had problems in the past with humidity when stored ashore in Trinidad for a length of time. Worth asking people what arrangements they make to minimise the problem.

 

[Uricanejack]

Not contemplating an ARC but may consider a trip to he Caribean
I'd be interested in knowing an aproximate monthly price for secure storage in the Caribean for a 35ft boat.

 

[TQA]

Not contemplating an ARC but may consider a trip to he Caribean
I'd be interested in knowing an aproximate monthly price for secure storage in the Caribean for a 35ft boat.

Typical rates here see http://spiceislandmarine.com/services/rates/ note the 6 month minimum. Some other yards are more flexible.

 

[SimonJ]

Not contemplating an ARC but may consider a trip to he Caribean
I'd be interested in knowing an aproximate monthly price for secure storage in the Caribean for a 35ft boat.

You are looking at about £300 a month inclusive of haul/launch/water wash clean/jackstand hire & welding/tie down etc. Most yards take reasonable steps to ensure adequate security.
Quite a lot of calculations have to be made to compare like with like. Some for example charge more/nothing for a few days liveaboard on the hard before/after haul. Some give discounts for hauling in March (eg Jolly harbour 50% off the crane charge.) Some add fees for checks and subsequent moves. Then there are discounts for advance payments (for which you also need to consider exchange rate variations - most charge in UD$s.)
Trinidad is probably cheapest option but it is very humid and you may need a de humidifier/'cling film' wrap etc which changes equation completely. Antigua and Grenada are roughly the same order of cost (but factor in flights), BVIs are expensive in all respects - yard, cost of living, spares etc .
Most of the many yards will respond quickly with an email quote of costs - if they do not maybe best avoided anyway! They need your business - they are hurting and it is now fairly competitive.
One thing to remember if you lay up and then antifoul before launch, try and acquire your bottom paint in advance from the cheapest place - usually St Martin. Caribbean standard A/F which is essential & although very good it is VERY, VERY expensive compared to UK standard equivalents! However applying paint in the tropics is a rather more pleasurable experience than trying to do it here at temps around 2-3 degrees! Some yards of course prohibit owners doing any such work themselves which also has to be factored in.