how many crew needed for atlantic crossing

anglo_saxon

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how many people would you take on an atlantic crossing and what sort of watch system would you use.
we plan on doing the arc but not racing.
my better half likes the idear of just the two of us but would it be advisable to have others join us for the trip.
boat is 45`
 

snowleopard

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A lot of couples do the ARC without additional crew. we did the return crossing with just 2, more through necessity than choice.

on the tradewind crossing we opted for 3 extra crew. that worked out as 3 doing watches and one cooking (rotated daily) with skipper doing one watch a day and on standby the rest of the time. that was a comfortable arrangement. next time we'll probably take one less.
 

Talbot

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Two people in crew is perfectly possible, but does mean that you spend lots of time apart from each other (one on watch, other sleeping). Three makes this better with a reasonable overlap so that social skills dont go rusty. , but size of crew is really as much dependent on size of boat and weight carrying capability because the weight penalty for each extra crew is not insignificant particularly on a multihull (unless you have an ocean cruiseliner like snowleapard) /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 

Stingo

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Doing it single-handed is quite good fun and the sense of achievement at the end is unbelievable. Can't say I agree with doing the ARC (do a search on the Skuttlebutt forum for ARC because there were a few discussions on the topic) but then horses for courses. However many crew you end up going across with, the crossing should be a wonderful experience for you.
 

Skents

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Could you let me know which company gave you insurance for just two? St Margarets are insisting on my husband and I taking on a third crew member? Currently looking for alternative options. Thanks
 

Sea Devil

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I think it really depends how experienced you both are.
If you intend keeping watch.

If you do it single handed, get into a good wake / sleep pattern, then that is possibly less tiring than 2 handed!!!

It is quite a long time at sea - with 3 up doing 3 on 6 off or 4 on 8 off you should have a fairly easy time of it. With 4 up then its really relaxed.
I suspect that if you ask the question then you should take another crew - does not have to be experienced - you need a watchkeeper not 'chief'....

I did a page about watchkeeping on my web site
 

jerryat

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HI Skents!

We tried to get cover for our two-handed Pond circuits (during the last six years) and had no luck. All those we contacted required a minimum of three aboard, something we did not want. Strangely, we could get cover to the Canaries and through the Caribbean, but not the bit in between. In the end we sailed anyway, and that included a chunk on my own. Ok, it is a risk, but one we thought well worth taking for the fantastic experience.

This contrasted completely with the Med. where cover whilst single-haning was no problem, despite what we consider to be a much higher risk. I don't necessarily refer to the stresses of weather, but our experience of (particularly Spanish) boat handling, where we saw many boats damaged in the marinas through lack of control/experience and laid back attitudes, put the fear of God into us FAR more than crossing the Pond!!

If anyone does discover a company offering two handed cover we'd appreciate them posting on this Forum!!

Cheers, Jerry
 

Spacewaist

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Done it many ways. My preference is skipper plus three watchkeepers. (I think five is too many for a small boat and if there are only three, two inevitably end up ganging up on the third)

Skipper always on call. Next watch keeper on standby for sail changes (perish the thought) etc

Set the watches so the watchkeepers rotate each day - shorter watches in hours of darkness. All hands on deck for happyhour (lest yours is a dry boat, in which case good lucj getting crew) /dinner :

For example, three watches, A, B & C

0600 A
1000 B
1400 C
1800 Happy Hour
1900 Dinner
0000 A
0300 B
0600 C
Etc

You can refine this with having everyone up for breakfast but in my experience the night watch keepers are none too lively at 0700.

The other thing you migh think about - depending on your layout - is where the off watch people spend their time. You'll find that it is actually quite pleasant to be below out of the Sun from time to time so you'll want to find a way to keep the saloon clear of the off watch asleep. (I tend to ban sleeping in the saloon if I can - at least in day light - but that does mean the aftercabin is likely to need to be shared).

Another "rule " that can be helpful is "No talking forward of the mast". In other words, if you want to get away from the inevitable continual banter in the cockpit, you can go forward and get some peace!
 

AndrewB

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[ QUOTE ]
If anyone does discover a company offering two handed cover we'd appreciate them posting on this Forum!!

[/ QUOTE ]I've recently contacted quite a few that will, but it all hangs on experience. The questions I tended to get asked were: (a) have either of you done it (or similar) before as skipper? (b) do both of you have an Ocean YM ticket? (c) does the surveyor warrant the yacht as up to it? (d) do you have full wind-vane steering?
 

Woodentop

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You don´t touch on the main point. Who or what will be steering ?
If you have a windvane then two is fine.

(Perhaps might even suggest that if you cannot sail it you should change it for a smaller one that you can sail.)

If you are taking crew then be aware that you are responsible for removing them from the Caribbean island you land at. So if you sail them in you have to provide a plane ticket to get them out. (Make sure they buy one before they get on board).

Secondly - be very careful about sailing with strangers. They can be a damn nuisance, unpleasant or just plain dangerous.

Watch systems for two of you ; split the night in half. One does 2000 to 0200 , the other does 0200 to 0800 .

This fits with a morning nap for one and and afternoon nap for the other.

Not everyone can cope with his 18on/6off system - particularly people who have had normal desk jobs and have never worked shifts or odd hours.
 

rallyveteran

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I circumnavigated on a 45 footer.

As others have said, plenty of people cross oceans two up and this can be a terrific bonding experience for a couple. The main downside is that if something goes wrong - with the boat that needs mending, or through illness or injury with one of the crew - life gets rather tough.

With three on board, sleep is a lot easier to come by.

Our ideal number was four, operating a two hours on, six off, watch cycle (twice) with no set watches in the remaining eight daylight hours.

Occasionally we had five on board but found this was too many as there is less space in the cockpit and not enough jobs to go around, so people got bored more easily.

Rallyveteran
 

Woodentop

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Logistical Thoughts

I suggest that you should leave with 30 days supplies for what will probably be a 25 day trip - but it can be vary variable from year to year.
Aside from what you have loaded for yourself (wine being much cheaper in the Canaries you will probably have 50 bottles at least on board etc, etc)

Each crewmember will require;
5 litres of water per day absolute (very absolute) minimum (150kg)
4 tins of food per at 450 gramms (54 kg)
(one each of beans, meat, veg and fruit for a rough example)
2 tins of coke/beer (20kg)
Alowing 110 kg for crew plus bag (90+20)

We have each crew member coming out at a third of a ton MINIMUM.
Now think how many extra TONS you can carryon your boat.

2 crew, with plenty of water for them will easily be One Ton of extra weight on the boat.

Now look at the CE/RCD plate on the boat.
Does that extra weight put your boat into Cat D ? (for an Ocean passage).
 
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IMHO two normal people cannot keep a good lookout and if they do, it is atthe expense of getting ever more tired as the voyage progresses. When you then meet a problem as you are bound to, you begin handling that problem, both tired.

Alternatives are extra crew (total of 4 is ideal) or depending on radar to keep a watch.

I believe ideal number is 4, each does 2 hours on and 6 hours off at night and all can be fresh to handle any problems.

We do not fly kite at night, they usually result in having to call additional crew on deck.
 

TigaWave

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Two is fine, 3 on 3 off routine.....just make sure you're autohelm is tough enough and you have spares.
I really enjoyed it with just the two of us, but have also done it to the other extreme with 7 on a 38ft Sweden and again with 4 on a 40ft.
The Sweden we pushed hard (under 15 days and with 4 had a very social crossing with plenty of rest, more crew is more useful on the way back when you might get a few tiring storms.
Even going at the same time as the arc you are on your own, but you do get a party.
If I went again I'd get an ssb so I could at least join in some of the nets, just listening in was a bit frustrating.
 

ChrisE

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Brendan,
I don't know what you are basing your comments on but from my own long distance experience I can't agree. Sure there is the risk that if one of the couple goes down life is tough but this doesn't happen often in reality. In fact in ten years of long distance stuff and talking to others who do the same, I know of one case of a serious problem. In that case, tragically, the wife died en route and even then the husband was looked after by surrounding yachts and the USCG.

Providing you have a windvane or an efficient autopilot plus sensible naviagiating arrangements and a handy sized craft and gear, 4 hours on and 4 hours off is quite doable by any couple in my opinion. Trust me, we are not heros just an ordinary couple that have done some miles and we've met loads of others who've done the same. After all, the Hiscocks were but a couple.
 
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