Destination: ARC+
BLOGGED LOCATIONS
The Arc Plus
ARC+ takes sailors across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria to the Caribbean via the Cape Verde archipelago. Originally launched in response to the ever growing popularity of the ARC, the route via the Cape Verde islands is now firmly established as a standalone rally with its own unique identity. The ARC+ 2022 marked the 10th anniversary of this rally.
The ARC+ Route
The first stage of the rally sails from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Mindelo Marina, São Vicente, a distance of approximately 850nm taking between 5 and 7 days for a 12m (40’) cruising boat. Following the 4 to 6 day stopover, yachts to sail to Port Louis Marina, Grenada. The passage to the Caribbean is approximately 2150nm, and will take 12 to 16 days.
Crossing the Atlantic from the Canaries via Cape Verde enables boats make the most of the north east trade winds; their latitude at 16º50’N is right in the path of the trade winds, promising a great sail to the Caribbean and a warm welcome awaiting the boats arrival.
Thinking of joining an ARC Rally?
Transportation - Pay your entry fee for boat and crew and then get your boat to LAs Palmas Gran Canaria before the start.
Accommodation - Make sure your boat is comfortable to sleep on as you are going to be on it for a long time in a lot of different ports and weather conditions.
Food - Provision for 50% more time than you think it will take you to cross the Atlantic. If you get dismasted, or there is no wind, or you have some other gear failure you do not wan to starve or get dehydrated, so careful food planning is the key.
Safety
Safety of all participants in all rallies is taken very seriously. There are over 450 boats and 1,800 people sail in World Cruising Club rallies each year. The job of a rally organiser is to provide a safe framework for participants, and to provide them with the information they need to make safe decisions for their boat and crew.
All participants will receive a comprehensive Rally Handbook when they join the rally. This includes valuable information and advice for preparing your boat and crew to voyage safely offshore.
Setting Expectations.
1. Safety Equipment
All rally boats are required to carry a minimum quantity and quality of safety and communications equipment, and to have undertaken training in using that equipment, heavy weather sailing techniques, and managing emergencies. the ARC team of experienced safety equipment inspectors will come onboard and check boats equipment before the start of the rally, and of course, are always happy to help new cruisers talk through decisions about safety and communications at sea.
Boats are expected to carry a range of safety equipment that is fit for purpose and ready to use. ARCs requirements are based on the ISAF standards, and include: an offshore liferaft with a more than 24 hour pack, 406MHz EPIRB, a means of sending and receiving email at sea (satellite phone or SSB/pactor), AIS receiver and man-overboard equipment. Every person onboard is required to have an inflatable combined lifejacket-harness (PFD) with a spray hood, crotch strap and safety line.
2. Communications Equipment
For coastal rallies, each boat needs to have a VHF radio and AIS. For transocean rallies each boat also has to be able to send and receive email whilst at sea. This is done either via satellite (Iridium/Inmarsat), or via SSB (HF) radio fitted with a pactor modem.
All boats should have an MMSI for radio calling (VHF) and for transocean they need AIS (can be class A or B). For World ARC the AIS must be a transponder (sends and receives).
3. Crew Training
Each boat has to have two people on board, including the skipper (captain). ARC recommends that the skipper and at least one other person on board should have undertaken training within the last 5 years on a range of topics including using the safety and communications equipment, heavy weather sailing techniques and managing emergencies. The World Sailing Offshore Sea Survival and related courses are ideal.
Do’s and don’ts
Qualifying Passage Every rally boat should reach the start port under her own keel, or to have completed a qualifying passage in the year before the start. The length of the qualifying passage is specific to each rally, and details can be found in the Conditions of Entry. This passage helps to identify any problems with the boat and equipment before the start of the rally.
Hopefully the tips above will give you enough information to start your own planning. If you want to check out some of the locations we visited in Italy and what we though of them, then click the [EXPLORE LOCATIONS] button below, or select a specific Italy location from the list on the right.
