Atlantic crossing

[ean_p]

What is the onward agenda for most of the ARC entrants as once there I would have thought after cruising the islands the next move is a fair bit more demanding then the relatively easy down hill transatlantic ride. where do all these swathes of boats go...?

 

[dunedin]

What is the onward agenda for most of the ARC entrants as once there I would have thought after cruising the islands the next move is a fair bit more demanding then the relatively easy down hill transatlantic ride. where do all these swathes of boats go...?

Huge variety of onward voyage plans
- cruise the Caribbean and head back in late Spring, perhaps on ARC Europe
- head North to cruise the East coast of the USA
- long term Cruising in the Caribbean
- through Panama and onwards into the Pacific and beyond - some doing the World ARC
Some who are short of time and need to return to their salaried jobs get the boats shipped back

Don’t assume that most ARC skippers are inexperienced. Many / most are very experienced - although there are a small percentage of much less experienced as well (as there is on the non-ARC crossings also).

 

[zoidberg]

Mike Peyton condensed a wealth of 'real-world' seamanship in his several books of cartoons that surpassed a library of RYA stuff.

I used 'scans' of some of his cartoons, projected at the start of my sessions when teaching the Shorebased Syllabus, and encouraged students to get their hands on his books ( not mine, which were on display for 'dipping' )

They're still valid....

 

[john_morris_uk]

Perhaps you are unique in enjoying the "hassle" of dealing with officials in port.

But not in terms of being thorough in preparing boats and crew for voyages, and having an enjoyable and safe sail. Anybody who has been on an ARC would know that the skippers and crew spend a LOT of time preparing their vessels and crew for the trip, and benefit from extensive documents giving great advice on preparation, together with detailed inspections prior to harbour. Arguably these are some of the best briefed and prepared boats crossing the pond. But this wont cut much ice with the people (generally who have not participated) who look down on the ARC.

It won't make much difference anyway. I believe already all places are fully booked for at least a year if not two years ahead, in spite of adding two extra start dates (ARC Plus and ARC January), so plenty seem to welcome the service they provide and the hugely positive feedback from most previous participants encourages more to participate.

Anyone who blue water sails needs to come to terms with officialdom. It’s hardly onerous for the ports of Las Palmas and in fact the only benefit of being part of ARC there is that you get a berth reserved. You still have to report etc.
All boats with any sense spend a lot of time preparing for an ocean crossing. I’m pleased to hear that ARC participation encourages it but so what?
The fact that they’re booked shows what a good business model they’ve got and how well they sell their product. It doesn’t make it good value for money AFAIC.
As I’ve said before, I’m sure ARC has its place, but for me it’s overrated and overpriced. But I’ve done a fair amount of ocean sailing so what do I know.

 

[Kelpie]

The workings of Las Palmas marina completely mystify me.
We waited at anchor for ten days until we got a berth. We'd deliberately arrived after the main ARC and ARC plus had left. There was an entire pontoon booked out for the January ARC, who were not due to arrive for six weeks, and it was almost completely empty. You'd think they would let out the berths on a short term basis to people like me, kicking us out as and when the ARC boats turned up- they'd make a lot more money.
A friend with the same size boat turned up the day after me, and got a berth the next day. He'd had the berth for a week and had now left, leaving it empty again. I'd been waiting ten days at this point. When I mentioned this at the marina office the marinero looked me straight in the eye and said "that didn't happen". I thanked him for his time and left.

Frustrating, but I'm still glad I didn't pay £2k just to avoid the hassle.

 

[geem]

The workings of Las Palmas marina completely mystify me.
We waited at anchor for ten days until we got a berth. We'd deliberately arrived after the main ARC and ARC plus had left. There was an entire pontoon booked out for the January ARC, who were not due to arrive for six weeks, and it was almost completely empty. You'd think they would let out the berths on a short term basis to people like me, kicking us out as and when the ARC boats turned up- they'd make a lot more money.
A friend with the same size boat turned up the day after me, and got a berth the next day. He'd had the berth for a week and had now left, leaving it empty again. I'd been waiting ten days at this point. When I mentioned this at the marina office the marinero looked me straight in the eye and said "that didn't happen". I thanked him for his time and left.

Frustrating, but I'm still glad I didn't pay £2k just to avoid the hassle.

Las Palmas is one of those places we avoid. We went once and that was enough. Much prefer La Gomera as a jumping off point but you need to have stamped you passport out of Europe somewhere else in the Canaries.

 

[capnsensible]

Las Palmas is one of those places we avoid. We went once and that was enough. Much prefer La Gomera as a jumping off point but you need to have stamped you passport out of Europe somewhere else in the Canaries.

Mebbe they don't do it anymore but we were directed by the marina staff to the government building across the road where we got passports stamped.

Since then, some years ago, I've had no problem clearing in to a number of windies islands without an outbound from Europe clearance.

 

[geem]

Mebbe they don't do it anymore but we were directed by the marina staff to the government building across the road where we got passports stamped.

Since then, some years ago, I've had no problem clearing in to a number of windies islands without an outbound from Europe clearance.

Dec 2021. It wasn't an option. We were told we would need to go to Tenerife for clearance papers and stamps

 

[Kelpie]

Hmmm. I asked for stamps in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but they actually issued a piece of paper for the boat, with crew listed, and stamped that. Cape Verde were fine with that, Guadeloupe don't ask to see anything. I wonder how we'll get on in Dominica...

 

[geem]

Hmmm. I asked for stamps in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but they actually issued a piece of paper for the boat, with crew listed, and stamped that. Cape Verde were fine with that, Guadeloupe don't ask to see anything. I wonder how we'll get on in Dominica...

You clearance papers from Guadeloupe will be fine in Dominica.
We call the French islands Control Alt Delete. Complete reset when you don't have the correct paperwork from somewhere else

 

[sailingmartin]

As I’ve said before

Yes, many times…

 

[zoidberg]

"When all is said and done, there's a lot more said than done."

 

[Laser310]

four crossings from the Canaries - two in the ARC, and two just by ourselves...

the ARC is okay. I've never attended any of the safety seminars.., and only occasionally went to the happy hours or parties. There is pretty good camaraderie on the docks though.

Is it worth the fee; probably not. I've only been crew in an ARC.., so never paid the fee.

But some people do the ARC many times; they must be getting something out of it. I guess it's the social aspect.., and if that makes it worth the expense for them.., who am I to say they are wrong?

 

[john_morris_uk]

If anyone is interested we’ve just updated our blog. It’s got some video clips now. www.yachtserendipity.uk

 

[Bajansailor]

Excellent blog and video clips!
Although just a photo (no video) of the potent Port St Charles rum punches being quaffed in the morning after clearing Customs on arrival.

 

[benjenbav]

If anyone is interested we’ve just updated our blog. It’s got some video clips now. www.yachtserendipity.uk

Thanks. I’ve enjoyed dipping in to your blog. Forgive me if you’ve covered this and I’ve missed it but I was wondering if you reduced sail at night during your many days sailing downwind in the trades?
Also wondered if a wind turbine to top up your batteries might be on the shopping list. (Hope that’s not something else I’ve missed).

 

[geem]

Thanks. I’ve enjoyed dipping in to your blog. Forgive me if you’ve covered this and I’ve missed it but I was wondering if you reduced sail at night during your many days sailing downwind in the trades?
Also wondered if a wind turbine to top up your batteries might be on the shopping list. (Hope that’s not something else I’ve missed).

A wind turbine does work well downwind since there is so little apparent wind.
How you deal with night time squalls depends on how your boat is set up and what sail plan you have. Swept back spreaders aren't great with the mainsail downwind. Twin poles and two genoas on furlers work well such that onwatch crew can reef easily. What you do will depend to some extent on your boat

 

[Kelpie]

We have a similar boat to John. We went with main and genoa, mostly wing on wing but a fair bit of broad reaching too. For that reason I'm glad I didn't go with idea of twin headsails on the same foil.
We didn't necessarily reef down every single night, but we certainly sailed conservatively. To some extent the decision depended on who was on watch- SWMBO isn't happy working on deck on her own so would have to wake me up. That's a strong incentive to reef at the end of my watch just in case. I like my sleep.

 

[Laser310]

Thanks. I’ve enjoyed dipping in to your blog. Forgive me if you’ve covered this and I’ve missed it but I was wondering if you reduced sail at night during your many days sailing downwind in the trades?
Also wondered if a wind turbine to top up your batteries might be on the shopping list. (Hope that’s not something else I’ve missed).

two of my crossings were with the Watt and Sea hydrogenerator - they work pretty well

 

[Kelpie]

We used solar alone on the crossing- it was after arriving in Guadeloupe that we had problems with lack of sun!