Atlantic Rally

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I'm interested in making contact with anyone who has previous experience of the ARC or is going this year.

I know that serious yachties look down on it as a soft option for an atlantic crossing, but for me it's a big step up from sailing in the med and I'm really looking forward to it.

Any guidance based on other peoples experience would be interesting.
Thanks

Andy

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The ChallengeBusiness website has a forum for European ARC participants

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<<soft option for an atlantic crossing>>

Anybody treating it this way is likely to end up in trouble.

It's no sinecure crossing the Atlantic ocean under any circumstances.

John

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Hi Andy
Just remember an ocean crossing is an ocean crossing regardless of how many new mates left at the same time as you. When we did it we were 150nm away from the next nearest boat within three days - so basically you're on your own and should prepare for it exactly as if that was the case. Last year someone was killed on the ARC because he fell overboard and his only other crew (his brother) wasn't able to lift him back on board! If you are a couple - can your wife lift you back on board in heavy seas and a 35 knot squall? What if you're unconscious?

I don't want to put a damper on it - hundreds have done it successfully without incident - but do think hard about what's involved well before you set off for the start. Plan it like you were on your own and put personal safety top of the list - way above snazzy chart plotters, watermakers and satphones.

Good luck & happy cruising.
Duncan

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You can die from being unable to get back aboard in a river! I think it's a absolute safety necessity to have worked out and practiced a method to get someone from the sea to the deck. Once it's happened is too late to start trying to figure the problem out. A six part tackle is a good start, probably attached to the clew of a sail tied to the toerail. YMMV
ps Duncan that fridge you sold me is excellent!

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John
Couldn't agree more! Glad to hear the fridge is performing.
Happy G&Ts,
Duncan

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I did it a couple of years ago crewing a challenge yacht, would do it on nothing less, soft option or not. It is excellent, and at least their yachts have done it all before...mail me for any more info



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we did the ARC in 2001 and ARC Europe in 2002. the ARC was the first crossing for swmbo and my first as skipper. here are some of our conclusions on the plus and minus points of going with a rally.

Plus:
- the radio net providing some backup in case of problems and some weather advice.
- the social side, we made some good friends.
- pre-booked berthing at a busy time of year
- talks and seminars
- informal racing can add an element of interest.

Minus:
- a fixed route meant we had to miss out the cape verdes and barbados
- pressure to leave on a set day. departing from bermuda for the azores we and a third of the fleet chose not to leave with the rest. they had a force 8 the first night out.
- noisy drunks at the finish of the ARC, karaoke till 6am etc.

we had problems between bernuda and the azores and turned back. we joined up with an informal group later so still had a radio net for the crossing.

overall we enjoyed the ARC. we would recommend it for first-timers and alcoholics but will probably go independently next time.

always happy to discuss our experiences.

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I sailed back from the west indies to the Uk with an informal group that I got to know over the SSB radio.

Providing you cross at the usual times there are lots of yachts crossing of all nationalities. I joined up with 6 Dutch, 1 Australian and 1 French yacht. We set up our own radio net to keep in contact twice a day. We didn't actually meet up till we got to the Azores. We did have one noisy night so appologies if we offended others.

We all then sailed off at different times to different places but kept the net going till we were all back. We now keep in touch via email etc.

I found radar to be really usefull. You're on your own for days so you can set the alarm and relax.

I really enjoyed doing it and recomend it to anyone who can spare the time.




<hr width=100% size=1>Richard
 
Re: Atlantic Rally, Thanks

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

I note the various cautions regarding safety and you can be sure I won't be underestimating the risks at sea. There will be 8 on our boat, all of whom have prior sailing experience, including a professional skipper.

Thanks to webcraft for his link to the challenge business forum and I'll follow that up.



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