Atlantic Crossing.

[capnsensible]

45 years after Rod Stewart made 'sailing ' famous, the Time of year for the ARC is here. The first part, ARC+ has long gone from Las Palmas and all boats are in Mindelo. Delayed two days for bat bug testing, they should get off tomorrow.

Main event on Sunday. Lots of excited people I guess, ready to rock. Especially so knowing all the things that may change on the way, more what ifs than ever the sailing gives.

Good luck to them all, doing something......positive, er, you know what I mean. ?

 

[RJJ]

45 years after Rod Stewart made 'sailing ' famous, the Time of year for the ARC is here. The first part, ARC+ has long gone from Las Palmas and all boats are in Mindelo. Delayed two days for bat bug testing, they should get off tomorrow.

Main event on Sunday. Lots of excited people I guess, ready to rock. Especially so knowing all the things that may change on the way, more what ifs than ever the sailing gives.

Good luck to them all, doing something......positive, er, you know what I mean. ?

Any idea how many boats? We were supposed to be on aRC+ but postponed to next year...

I am not sure if we will do better in terms of more like-minded families, or worse in that this year's Caribbean islands may be unusually uncrowded

 

[capnsensible]

World Cruising Club

Well down on numbers. If I counted right, only 57 in the main event. I haven't got the fleet tracker but that will give it all.

Looks like Rodney bay parties are gonna be a bit quiet! Next year may be a better plan.

 

[pvb]

Let's hope they're all long-keeled with skeg-hung rudders, or there'll be tears.

 

[capnsensible]

Let's hope they're all long-keeled with skeg-hung rudders, or there'll be tears.

I think I saw somewhere on the list a Bavaria 37! ??

 

[Wansworth]

I think I saw somewhere on the list a Bavaria 37! ??

Omg?

 

[john_morris_uk]

It would be interesting to know how many long keeled boats ARE taking part. My suspicion is that it’s a very low number and possibly approaching zero.

I suspect the vast majority will be cruising boats with moderate or longish fins and with a mixture of full skeg, partial skeg and no skeg at all.

How many will be steel? (Maybe a slack handful with a few Aluminium boats too?)

It’ll be carnage out there.

 

[geem]

It would be interesting to know how many long keeled boats ARE taking part. My suspicion is that it’s a very low number and possibly approaching zero.

I suspect the vast majority will be cruising boats with moderate or longish fins and with a mixture of full skeg, partial skeg and no skeg at all.

How many will be steel? (Maybe a slack handful with a few Aluminium boats too?)

It’ll be carnage out there.

If you have done it West to East you will know its an easy trip. Its been done in all sorts of vessels. The trip back is far tougher. How many of those boats sail back under their own keel? The ARC rarely gets headwinds. Thats the tough bit on boat and crew

 

[GHA]

It would be interesting to know how many long keeled boats ARE taking part. My suspicion is that it’s a very low number and possibly approaching zero.

I suspect the vast majority will be cruising boats with moderate or longish fins and with a mixture of full skeg, partial skeg and no skeg at all.

How many will be steel? (Maybe a slack handful with a few Aluminium boats too?)

Long keelers and steel owners tend to be capable of crossing oceans without the need of hand holding... No surprise that they aren't in there,money better spent elsewhere

 

[john_morris_uk]

Long keelers and steel owners tend to be capable of crossing oceans without the need of hand holding... No surprise that they aren't in there,money better spent elsewhere

That’s besides the point. Or are you suggesting that all those ARC sailors wouldn’t be there if they didn’t have the support mechanisms of the rally? That somehow it’s not really an ocean crossing because there are 60 or a hundred boats spread out on the ocean?

The hand holding is mainly psychological IMHO. I’ve no experience of the ARC but my experience of crossing oceans is you don’t see anything except sea for days. I suggest there are plenty of people who join the ARC for the parties and camaraderie and a few nervous partners who get roped in because ‘there will be other boats around to rescue us’. No criticism of either and we’re debating whether to cough up for the parties too..

 

[john_morris_uk]

If you have done it West to East you will know its an easy trip. Its been done in all sorts of vessels. The trip back is far tougher. How many of those boats sail back under their own keel? The ARC rarely gets headwinds. Thats the tough bit on boat and crew

Is the return trip when a decent fin keeled yacht comes into its own then? My apologies for thread drift. I hope those who are setting out on their ARC downwind sleigh ride don’t roll their masts out and actually enjoy it.

 

[GHA]

That’s besides the point. Or are you suggesting that all those ARC sailors wouldn’t be there if they didn’t have the support mechanisms of the rally? That somehow it’s not really an ocean crossing because there are 60 or a hundred boats spread out on the ocean?

The hand holding is mainly psychological IMHO. I’ve no experience of the ARC but my experience of crossing oceans is you don’t see anything except sea for days. I suggest there are plenty of people who join the ARC for the parties and camaraderie and a few nervous partners who get roped in because ‘there will be other boats around to rescue us’. No criticism of either and we’re debating whether to cough up for the parties too..

You missed the and took your "awb for crossing oceans" crusade far too seriously

 

[Wansworth]

Mans ancient fear of loosening sight of land..... now feeling safe it they can see a dot on the horizon or pick up the handset and talk to some one.Even round the world racers are a click away from moral support,but isn’t the chance to be totally alone one of the last things we have left

 

[john_morris_uk]

You missed the and took your "awb for crossing oceans" crusade far too seriously

My apologies. I’m useless at interpreting jokey posts sometimes. (I have history).

My question was a half serious one and I’d be interested to know the make up of the boats taking part.

 

[Sharky34]

45 years after Rod Stewart made 'sailing ' famous, the Time of year for the ARC is here. The first part, ARC+ has long gone from Las Palmas and all boats are in Mindelo. Delayed two days for bat bug testing, they should get off tomorrow.

Main event on Sunday. Lots of excited people I guess, ready to rock. Especially so knowing all the things that may change on the way, more what ifs than ever the sailing gives.

Good luck to them all, doing something......positive, er, you know what I mean. ?

Do participants have to be tested covid free before departure?

 

[GHA]

My apologies. I’m useless at interpreting jokey posts sometimes. (I have history).

My question was a half serious one and I’d be interested to know the make up of the boats taking part.

More seriously, doubt if there would be that many old design long keelers or steel - cruisers in those would be more likely to be off in a nice free anchorage somewhere having a party on the beach. Guessing of course. Not done the arc but was moored up in Las Palmas for a little while before they kicked everyone out to cater for the arc one year. Early boats down were predominately newer AWBs, and seemed to be many first timers, never crossed an ocean before.
Little to be learned about long distance cruising from the boat types on just one event though, what's much more interesting is the "what broke" articles afterwards.

 

[Chae_73]

Here's the list - 6 multi hulls and a good number of AWBs

Even a Westerly!

 

[geem]

More seriously, doubt if there would be that many old design long keelers or steel - cruisers in those would be more likely to be off in a nice free anchorage somewhere having a party on the beach. Guessing of course. Not done the arc but was moored up in Las Palmas for a little while before they kicked everyone out to cater for the arc one year. Early boats down were predominately newer AWBs, and seemed to be many first timers, never crossed an ocean before.
Little to be learned about long distance cruising from the boat types on just one event though, what's much more interesting is the "what broke" articles afterwards.

In my experience there are more boats crossing that dont join the ARC. This year there wont be much attraction for endless parties so I am sure a more isolated approach is favourable. The last thing you need is a party of a couple of hundred people just before you head across the Atlantic. A covid nightmare
The great thing about living on a boat in the Caribbean is you are pretty isolated since you live at anchor. The risks of Covid if you are careful are not that great

 

[Robin]

Do participants have to be tested covid free before departure?

Or quarantine on arrival? ?

 

[capnsensible]

Do participants have to be tested covid free before departure?

Yes and that's what has delayed ARC+ for a couple of days. ?