From frenzied preparations in Gran Canaria to jubilant arrivals in St Lucia, the candid crews of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers ARC 2019 share their adventures in this series of videos
Have you ever crossed the Atlantic? This month at PBO we’re focusing on Amazing Adventures. If you’re planning a passage, or just fancy a bit of armchair sailing, take a look at these heartwarming moments from last year’s Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC).
The ARC sets sail from Gran Canaria to St Lucia every year and in 2019 it was the 30th anniversary of the event run by World Cruising Club. PBO went to the startline in November to wave off the 185 yachts as they set sail on their 2,700-mile voyage. Here’s their story in videos.
3 days to go – liferaft shenanigans!
The week before the rally is packed with inspections, boat repairs and seminars taking place on the water, in the yacht club and at other venues around Marina Las Palmas. Roger Seymour’s liferaft demonstration is definitely not to be missed! How many boisterous kids can you fit in that liferaft?
2 days to go – a peek inside the Youth Team Challenger yacht
We love having a peek inside other people’s boats. Whilst a 72ft racing yacht isn’t a typical ‘PBO boat’, this one was pretty special as it was crewed by 12 British, Spanish and St Lucian youths – all sailing together for the first time. Here, Chrisanki Flood shows us around the Challenger yacht, owned by the Ships Youth Trust, and explains that whilst his friends think he’s competing in a superyacht, he really isn’t! The accomodation is surprisingly spartan.
1 day to go – nervous crews and busy pontoons
“We’re feeling slightly apprehensive because we don’t know if we’ve got enough cabbages and enough onions,” confides Hermione Pattison of Alisara. With a day to go, crews’ worries range from cockpit speakers to rigging replacements and – for one young couple on a Moody 346 – how they’re going to cope double-handed, after their third crewmember had to go home.
And they’re off!
Bon voyage Heaven 47
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Sunday, November 24, 2019
It’s always fun saying goodbye to the yachts. There’s a band playing on the breakwater and a festival atmosphere as one-by-one the yachts leave the marina waving and cheering. Here’s Heaven 47 leaving her berth. She’s a Beneteau Oceanis 473 owned by Jersey couple Sam and Simon Warner, who’ve sold-up to sail round the world. Next stop the Caribbean!
Here’s Ulisse, the largest yacht in the fleet at 105ft. Crewed by America’s Cup veterans, this luxury superyacht is owned by Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli. It just goes to show that entries for the ARC come in all shapes and sizes.
#ARC2019 – leaving Las Palmas
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Sunday, November 24, 2019
On the startline in Las Palmas there’s a northeasterly breeze of around 10-12 knots, just as meteorologist Chris Tibbs predicted. It’s a classic ARC start, with many yachts flying spinnakers.
Arrivals in St Lucia
Scarlet Oyster won the ARC racing division – here's what the crew had to say
Meet the crew of race charter yacht Scarlet Oyster, winner of the ARC 2019 racing division. Skipper Ross Applebey had returned home at this point, but we were pleased to bump into his crew and learn that even formidable race yachts are allowed the odd mid-Atlantic hiccup!
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Thursday, December 19, 2019
Two weeks later and we’re in St Lucia… Scarlet Oyster wins the racing division and we’re thrilled to bump into the crew in Marigot Bay. Listen to what Fleming has to say – even formidable race yachts are entitled to the odd mid-Atlantic mishap!
After the first few arrivals in Rodney Bay, the yachts come in thick and fast keeping the World Cruising Club ‘yellow shirts’ on their toes. Here the unflappable Claire Pengelly waits to take the lines of Norwegian yacht Terne.
Double-handers
ARC yacht Neema II arrives in St Lucia
French yacht, Neema II, arrives in Rodney Bay. This 43ft Jeanneau was crewed by just two people.
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Saturday, December 14, 2019
If crossing the Atlantic’s not hard enough, try doing it double-handed like French yacht, Neema II. Here’s the 43ft Jeanneau arriving in style.
Smallest ARC boat Little Island arrives in St Lucia to a warm welcome
Big congratulations to Little Island, the joint smallest boat in the #ARCrally fleet. Catherine and Martin crossed the Atlantic double-handed in their 34ft Moody after Catherine's mum had to return home for a family emergency. What an amazing achievement!
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Tuesday, December 17, 2019
ARC newly weds explain why the crossing made them stronger
Newly weds Catherine Platts and Martin Evans crossed the Atlantic double-handed in their Moody 346, Little Island. After their first night on dry land they told PBO how it all went. Read more in Martin’s blog at: https://bit.ly/2S7nfL9, and don’t miss their story in the February edition of PBO!
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Thursday, December 19, 2019
But after a good night’s rest (and a few celebratory drinks) newly weds Cat and Martin explain that they loved the voyage and it made their relationship stronger. They wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Katja joined the crew of Simane just hours before the start of the ARC. Here's how she got on…
We met Katja Schmidt-Maag back on the pontoons in Gran Canaria. Together with her boyfriend, she managed to hitch a ride on Simane, skippered by 81-year-old Trond. It’s a big gamble, crossing the Atlantic with a crew you’ve only just met, but it looks like it paid off! The couple are now looking for a new boat. If you're in St Lucia and need crew for the next leg, email: k.schmidtmaag@gmail.com.
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Friday, December 20, 2019
For the 81-year-old skipper of Simane, however, the additional crewmembers he found in Gran Canaria were well worth the gamble! They were vegans, he’s a meat-eater, but it didn’t matter; they got on brilliantly recalls Katja Schmidt-Maag.
PBO meets the ARC Youth team in Rodney Bay, St Lucia
And here they are on the other side! Meet Flood, Michele and Gabie from ARC Youth Team boat, Challenger 1.
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Saturday, December 14, 2019
There were also big smiles on the faces of the ARC Youth Team on Challenger 1. Living in such close quarters isn’t easy – especially if you’ve only just met and you don’t speak the same language. However, Michele and Gabie have some good tips for staying sane!
Top tips from ARC kids
The essential piece of kit every transatlantic yacht should carry
The pink Silver Cross 5 in 1 – what every boat should have onboard! Just hide it in the lazarette and don't tell dad…
Posted by Practical Boat Owner on Saturday, December 14, 2019
But perhaps the biggest stars of the voyage were the ARC kids. Here Alice Pattison shows off her essential piece of transatlantic kit that she managed to sneak in the lazarette on Alisara.
Whilst for Hugo and Felix on Kathryn del Fuego, feeding flying fish to dolphins proved to be one of the highlights of the voyage!
Everyone’s got a story to tell. Is it time to plan your next adventure?