Heading for the Caribbean now?

[capnsensible]

I've been looking at the restart of the ARC+ with its 94 boats and the main ARC starts Sunday. However, a look at vesselfinder shows big, big numbers crossing this year. Some have already left the Canaries to head straight over. Not waiting for the official hurricane season to end....mind you, I've done that.

Also there will be some of the big charter yachts heading over to get their first punters of the season.

But the sheer numbers this year are remarkable, bigger, I think, than the first season after covid.

I appreciate that a few of the targets on vessel finder when they are light shaded may also be repeated later, but even so, brace yerselves Carib bar owners!

 

[Roberto]

the main ARC starts Sunday.

Looks like they will have to follow suit towards the Cape Verde, if they want any decent wind

 

[Stemar]

They're welcome to some of the wind here

 

[Skylark]

Fair winds to all. Trip of a lifetime awaits for many. I imagine the healthy mix of excitement and apprehension in the Canaries is palpable.

 

[capnsensible]

Waved off our friends on their Najad 33 last Monday bound for Verdes then possibly Barbados. They certainly were excited.

 

[Daydream believer]

Friends of minedid it last year. I asked if they wanted to do it again & the reply was a definite NO WAY.
They did the ARC portugal for the return & dumped the boat in Spain, where it is currently sitting now.
One of them is going out next week to check the boat. They will come home via short day sails to the EC where possible.
Cost them a fortune & can say they did it. I do not think they enjoyed the Caribbean as much as expected. They did take it in turns to fly home for a rest.

 

[capnsensible]

Friends of minedid it last year. I asked if they wanted to do it again & the reply was a definite NO WAY.
They did the ARC portugal for the return & dumped the boat in Spain, where it is currently sitting now.
One of them is going out next week to check the boat. They will come home via short day sails to the EC where possible.
Cost them a fortune & can say they did it. I do not think they enjoyed the Caribbean as much as expected. They did take it in turns to fly home for a rest.

Flew home from the Windies for a rest?? Where do they live, the Ghobi Desert?

 

[Daydream believer]

Flew home from the Windies for a rest?? Where do they live, the Ghobi Desert?

Why not have a rest from boat & for that matter, each other? They had sailed all the way from the UK east coast together.
I suspect that the Windies did little for them & as far as I can make out they got fed up with bars & cafes plus low grade living style.
Having been thrashed to windward all the way home across the Atlantic, With every hatch leaking on their bunks, they were more than glad to dump the boat in a very obliging marina in Spain. Only 2 of the 3 will bother to finish the leg home.

 

[capnsensible]

 

[Daydream believer]

View attachment 185814

You do not say exactly where that is, but one can only spend so long in those places, before boredom sets in
Now show us pictures of the roads & streets around in the same area, just back from the sea 400 metres- Do not be selective

 

[capnsensible]

You do not say exactly where that is, but one can only spend so long in those places, before boredom sets in
Now show us pictures of the roads & streets around in the same area, just back from the sea 400 metres- Do not be selective

It's at Pinneys Beach, Nevis. Fab place.

 

[capnsensible]

 

[capnsensible]

You do not say exactly where that is, but one can only spend so long in those places, before boredom sets in
Now show us pictures of the roads & streets around in the same area, just back from the sea 400 metres- Do not be selec

How did you find it when you were there?

Main ARC has just started so lots more are gonna find out. I appreciate that it's not for everyone, but at least they tried.

 

[bergie]

The main ARC fleet is now on its way. Was fun to see them off!

Marina Las Palmas feels quite deserted all of a sudden. Though the amount of boats anchored outside suggests that not for long...

 

[lustyd]

I have to say with us giving up work next month I’m much more concerned that I won’t enjoy the lifestyle than that the sailing will be an issue. For a lot of people these days it’s a transition from a very comfortable life with a good wage and a home, and that’s being replaced with a relatively uncomfortable life with potentially no wages and no home. Then add in finding somewhere secure to stop every day, visa faff and boat maintenance and it’s a much harder life.
We think more rewarding though, so the trade offs are worth it. I can see why some turn around though and that’s ok and ought to be acknowledged so others can learn from it.
Not sure I’d have raised it on a thread dedicated to the excitement of those trying it, but since the thread is already diverted…

 

[Daydream believer]

You say "No Home" That makes the whole thing sound a bit risky to me.
When we started sailing south we were confronted by liveaboards sailing home. Mainly due to the lousy weather that year but some due to the c..p lifestyle.
My wife recalls a conversation with a lady on a large Moody. She was in tears because they had sold their house to live the dream which had turned into a nightmare. No longer any friends. Could not sell the boat. Not enough money to buy a house due to inflation. No job. The list went on.

One of the biggest problems with retirement is one now has a fixed income source. Before I retired I could work a couple of extra days to pay to launch/lift the boat. Now it comes out of pension, unless I want to open up the savings pot , which so far I have managed to avoid.

 

[capnsensible]

From personal experience, it is indeed possible to make life hard for yourself. Or you can alter your mindset to relax and enjoy the challenges rather than kick out. Those that do the latter aren't suited to cruising. No problem, that's their choice. Perhaps the allure of a life free of work stress, commuting, grey skies, rude people, litter and graffiti wins.

There is no doubt that some can't make the transition. But those that do have a ball!!

 

[lustyd]

You say "No Home" That makes the whole thing sound a bit risky to me.

Indeed. I was simply making the point that there's nothing wrong with the folk in your story. Capnsensible has clearly enjoyed the life and sometimes I think he forgets that some people struggle with it for differing reasons, and others don't try it because they understand why they won't enjoy it. I thought his quip about "how did you find it" was a little unfair because there are many people who stay home on purpose but that doesn't mean they don't understand the situation, probably quite the opposite.

 

[capnsensible]

Indeed. I was simply making the point that there's nothing wrong with the folk in your story. Capnsensible has clearly enjoyed the life and sometimes I think he forgets that some people struggle with it for differing reasons, and others don't try it because they understand why they won't enjoy it. I thought his quip about "how did you find it" was a little unfair because there are many people who stay home on purpose but that doesn't mean they don't understand the situation, probably quite the opposite.

I'm sure you have noted that I've posted twice that I see it's not for everyone.

And of course the other important ingredient for long term cruising is a sense of humour......