A brief overview of the ARC
The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) is an annual sailing event for cruiser yachts that has been held since 1986. More than just a boat race, it also has the cruising division that we enter. The event starts at the end of November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and ends before Christmas in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, in the Caribbean. It is the largest trans-ocean sailing event in the world, attracting over 1-200 boats of various sizes and shapes. The route takes between 8 and 31 days, aided by trade winds, and covers around 2500 nautical miles. The event was founded by Jimmy Cornell and is now organized by the World Cruising Club, which also arranges a World ARC.
The first race was organized in 1986 by Cruising World Magazine under the name Atlantic Race for Cruisers (ARC). Jimmy Cornell created the event to add some excitement to the long and lonely voyage across the ocean, strengthen bonds between cruising sailors, and increase safety and confidence by organizing a passage of a large number of yachts at the same time.
Pre departure preparation
Sailing across the Atlantic in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) begins with preparation and lots of it! Setting off across the ocean is a serious challenge, and not one to be taken lightly. With Rubicon 3, you are operating at a high level of professionalism, so you will be part fo the process as we rigorously inspect the boat, service equipment, buy in supplies and generally ensure that everything is ready.
Victualling and supplies
We have 12 people to feed for up to three weeks at sea, so we need food for some 750 meals! That’s right, there’s a huge shop to be done and when it arrives on the dock it can seem like an impossible amount of food to put away. We will only buy fresh produce for around 4-5 days worth as it will not last beyond that. After that, we switch to longer lasting veg, fruit and tinnned and packet food. We have a powerful watermaker on board, but we always prepare for mishapps, so we also load up many jerrycans of spare water, just in case, along with nearly a thousand litres of diesel, spare oil and many other essential supplies. By the time we’re finished, the yacht is bursting at the seams!
Pre departure activities
In the build up to departure, we also take time to get out sailing and really work with the crew to build skills, develop as a team and answer as many questions as we can. It means that when we finally set sail for the big crossing, you are as prepared as possible.
In the afternoons and evenings, there are also many events and talks laid on by the World Cruising Club. This includes educational seminars, parties and and many fun events. Between these, the preparation and the training, you will find you build a strong sense of camaraderie with everyone from the very start. We usually have around four days of preparation in Gran Canaria before we set off across the Atlantic.
Daily Routine at Sea
The departure is a huge event, with yachts everywhere and a sense of organised chaos often ensuing. It’s amazing therefore, how quickly the fleet spreads out and withing a day we may only be seeing the occasional yacht. Life at sea quickly settles into a routine governed by the elements and the necessities of sailing. Each day is structured around watches, navigation checks, sail adjustments, and some boat maintenance. You’ll have day watches and night watches, when you will see star scapes unlike any you have ever seen before. When you’re not on watch, you can rest, read, gaze out over the endless horizons and spectacular sunrises and sunsets and immerse yourself in the experience of being out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Helming and Navigation
Helming, or steering the boat, is a shared responsibility, with crew members taking turns to keep the yacht on course. Modern navigation aids complement traditional methods, ensuring the yacht remains on the best path across the Atlantic. GPS, chart plotters, and weather forecasting tools are used to make well informed decisions and it’s fun to get the sextant out and learn how to navigate just using the Sun and stars.
Trimming Sails and Keeping Watch
We need to keep moving as quickly and efficiently as we can, so trimming sails to suit the wind conditions is a constant task that requires attention and teamwork. Efficiency and speed depend on correctly setting the sails, a skill you will be honing with your ever-increasing experience and knowledge. Keeping watch always involves more than just watching for other vessels; it’s about monitoring weather changes and sea conditions and keeping us going fast and well.
Cooking and Meals
Meals are always central events of the day, providing not just welcome food but a chance for all the crew to come together, chat and share experiences. Cooking at sea, in a confined and moving space, challenges crews to be creative with limited ingredients. It’s fun and becomes ever more fun to see what can be made with the remaining food.
Relaxing and Leisure
Despite the demands of sailing, there is plenty of time for relaxation and introspection. The vastness of the ocean offers a unique backdrop for reading, contemplation, or simply enjoying the solitude and beauty of the ocean. Watching dolphins play in the bow wave or marveling at the unobstructed view of the stars at night are experiences that stay with sailors long after the crossing is over.
Arrival in the Caribbean and possible cruising
How fast we get across the Atlantic is entirely dependent on the north easterly trade winds that power us across. They can be strong and consistent or light and hard to find. If we get across in good time, there can be 4-5 days spare and we use this to cruise up to somewhere like Martinique and explore, adding a special extra dimension to the crossing.
The difference between Rubicon 3 and a yacht charter
This is not a luxury yacht charter vacation on a private yacht but a proper sailing adventure.
- Tailored Experience: Unlike many yacht charters, the Rubicon 3 team works daily to tailor the experience to your interests and skill level. Whether you’re interested in learning advanced sailing techniques, exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, or focusing on particular activities like snorkeling or fishing, we look to help you achieve it.
- Expert Knowledge: Yacht charter companies will send you off with minimal instruction. Rubicon 3 has extensive local knowledge and expertise. We can find hidden gems, secluded anchorages, and the best spots that might be off the radar of the charter companies. This insider knowledge significantly enhances the sailing adventure.
- Learning Opportunities: Sailing this route with Rubicon 3, you’ll need some previous sailing experience but this doesn’t have to be extensive or offshore. If you’re interested in learning about sailing, navigation, or seamanship, the expert Rubicon 3 instructors ensure a hands-on, educational experience. This is ideal if you see your sailing trip as a vacation and a learning opportunity.
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