Is the cost of the Atlantic Cruising Rally worth it?

[argonauta1]

ARC: is it worth it?

As Canadians, we went west about from Panama so by the time we reached the Canaries, it was our third ocean crossing coming up. Our main planning factor was ARC and Rowing fleet avoidance. Thus we hung out short of the ARC start point until after the departure and made sure the fleet was well ahead of us before departing. Otherwise, any last minute maintenance and provisioning would have been hampered by the crowds. As it was, we chose to route via the Verdes to Barbados so ARC traffic was not a factor.

But the Atlantic was our third ocean. Had it been our first, we might well have joined the ARC because of lack of experience and the extra support and opportunity to benefit from closer contact with others. Perhaps that is why the ARC seems to appeal more to the First Ocean crowd rather than those, now seasoned, west about cruisers originating from say Australia and New Zealand as well as North America.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Well now that you mention the Canary Islands, did you know that there are no canaries on the Canary Islands?
Same thing applies to the Virgin Islands

Yep, there are no canaries on the Virgin Islands.



Indeed, I suspect that the marina and mooring prices are jacked up when the fleet arrives then drops back to a more reasonable price. Kind of like Uber pricing, when the demand is great so is the cost and limited is the availability.

Make a list of the prime benefits of joining the ARC and assess their personal value to you; perhaps some of the forum members could provide explicit guidance to such.

I can vouch for that.

[Farbrook]

We did the ARC+ in November 2022. Observations...

Not having done a crossing before, having to comply with the ARC requirements and then being inspected did mean we hit the start line feeling much more confident than we would otherwise have been.

All crew (5 blokes) were impressed with the organisation.

There were a few boats who had problems mid-Atlantic who were rapidly (within a few hours) supported by other Rally yachts.

The socialising was, on the whole, low key but pretty good (though I think the comments above about the slow/low availability of food and drink are fair).

Formalities and marina bookings were taken care of, and there was always ready availability of reliable advice.

So, overall very positive for first timers - we had a great time. But it's also true that most of the above could have been achieved fairly easily by other means, especially with the benefit of previous experience. If I were doing it again I probably wouldn't bother with the ARC (though we are planning to do ARC Europe in May), but that's not a criticism - just the benefit of growing experience.

[argonauta1]

Common misconception re name Canary Islands: Wikipedia to the rescue. If you go, one sees signs to this effect in main centers

Quote The name Islas Canarias is likely derived from the Latin name Canariae Insulae, meaning "Islands of the Dogs", a name that was evidently generalized from the ancient name of one of these islands, Canaria – presumably Gran Canaria. According to the historian Pliny the Elder, the island Canaria contained "vast multitudes of dogs of very large size".[24]

The Atlantic canary (Serinus canaria), known worldwide simply as the wild canary and also called the island canary, common canary, or canary, is a small passerine bird belonging to the genus Serinus in the finch family, Fringillidae. It is native to the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira. unquote

[Wanderlust1]

I’ve done the crossing twice with the ARC and I’m doing it again this year. I found all their support, training materials and seminars very useful. It’s great to meet many of the others doing at the same time and also to know there are 250 other boats with you should you need any help. So I’d recommend it.

[doug cusick]

I live in fiji islands and from my point of view a large group of boats descending on already overcrowded marinas put a huge pressure on local facilities. It is definitely not appreciated by locals...also many who travel with these groups are inexperienced boaters who feel they are entitled to preferential treatment because of there participation. I prefer they pass on by....

[Eagleray]

If you would like a small more intimate and cheaper group to cross with look at Viking explorers. They have a max of 25 boats and leave the safety to the individual and only insist that you have a means of tracking and satellite coms. Very helpful and met great people. Www. Vikingexplorersrally.Com

[SV Coronado]

We just did the crossing with ARC 2022. I think @Farbrook's comment are spot-on. For your first crossing, it's great to know you'll have support should there be an issue.

One of my biggest complaints was with the "competition" side of the event. The engine hours are self reported and many of the participants were not honest with their hours, not even close. It wouldn't be hard for the ARC officials to do a little inquire to know the hours reported don't make sense. It's been an issue for years. Yachting World even wrote an article about it in 2016

https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/c...heating-101525

[Sailing Hanse37]

We did 2 crossings of the Atlantic Ocean, 1 direct from the Canaries to Guadeloupe, the other one via Cap Verdian islands to Surinam. We did not join the ARC because:
1. Very expensive for what you get.
2. Not safe !! They plan the departure date long long time beforehand. Even if conditions are no good, they will still launch departure on the foreseen date. On our second crossing, via Cap Verdian islands, lots and lots of ARC boats came in Mindelo to reprovision diesel, since departure was launched with zero wind in the weather forecast for the coming 10 days. As a result Mindelo ran out of Diesel after 1 1/2 day ���� (we filled up already on arrival a few days before)
3. Security ?? Once you set out on the ocean, ARC or not within 2 days you will not see a single boat anymore. So ARC is not a security. Moreover: Colregs oblige ANY boat to help or rescue ANY other boat. So if you are crossing on yourself and you have problems, even ARC boats have an OBLIGATION to help
4. ARC is aimed at newbie sailors lacking confidence for the crossing. (Except maybe those who participate for the competition) As such they will probably not be the best boats to assist you anyway.
5. The check before departure is really something you should have done yourself in preparation of the crossing. Their check is totally superfluous unless you don’t know what you are doing…
6. The price is extremely expensive for a bit of discount in harbours and some club med style activities. We met a bunch of lovely people and made friends without needing the ARC for that item.

[Icarus]

Originally Posted by stebby

Hello, I'm interested to learn if anyone out there can tell me more about their experience in the ARC. My husband and I were thinking of entering the rally this year, but the cost is substantial. For 3 crew and a 50ft sailboat, the cost is $2,500 US. It certainly sounds like a fun way to cross the Atlantic and make lots of new friends, but that's a big chunk of cash and we have limited funds. Has anyone completed the ARC and can they comment whether it was worth the money? Thanks!!

What price do you put on adventure?

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Icarus

What price do you put on adventure?

Well not joining the ARC and crossing anyway is a bigger adventure and... $2500 less..

[Grancan]

Is the ARC worthy? Depends on who you ask, for local sailors that have their boats in Las Palmas marine its been a nightmare for years. In the past, long time ago, as boats, ARC and everyone else, arrived and if there was no berths open, which was often the case during the months is of October to February, the marina send you to the beach mooring next door until a vacancy would pop up. Long time ago that was, now the locals are forced to vacant their berth and either go to mooring or sail to another port, either in the south of the island or Fuerteventura, because of the ARC so all those big and beautiful mono and cats can have their berth.
On a side note, many of their crew are skippers hired to berth the boat in September -october, and the owner don't come untill late October into November, leaving the boat empty for weeks to months and taking someone else berth (they literally kick you out). Most years I have to leave my berth early in September, which sucks, so if you ask me if it is worth it, I would say no, unless the marina changes it's practices of vacanting 150+ berths to leave room for the ARC participant.
That being said, many people, myself included, appreciate the diversity of people that comes and we welcome the sailors, it's fascinating the people you get a chance to meet.
It's just a marina policy that is very unfair for the locals.

[Sailing Hanse37]

Originally Posted by TheOffice

SSB is for WORLD ARC, not ARC Atlantic crossings. An Iridium Go is more than adequate.

As for the other safety equipment, I would not go offshore without it. Everything that is required is on the list because of someone else's misfortune.

I plan to do the ARC Europe in 24. They will help with Customs, Covid, trips around the Azores and dockage.

We did 2 times the Atlantic crossing, visited a lot of countries. Never needed any help for customs. Help with dockage is available for free in almost all marina’s. Covid restrictions are finished. For trips around the azores look on Noonsite. So are these the things which make you happy paying 2500€ ? I suggest you buddy boat together with our boat. I’ll take care for you of all what you mentioned and i only charge 2000€

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by SV Coronado

We just did the crossing with ARC 2022. I think @Farbrook's comment are spot-on. For your first crossing, it's great to know you'll have support should there be an issue.

One of my biggest complaints was with the "competition" side of the event. The engine hours are self reported and many of the participants were not honest with their hours, not even close. It wouldn't be hard for the ARC officials to do a little inquire to know the hours reported don't make sense. It's been an issue for years. Yachting World even wrote an article about it in 2016

https://www.yachtingworld.com/news/c...heating-101525

Wow that article and video are telling.

I don’t understand why they add a competition factor into a cruising class. That would take all the fun away for me (as a former high level dinghy and keelboat racer, I cruise to get away from that different mental game). Particularly if folks are using engines and misrepresenting? Of all of the sports to be spoiled by cheating, what a bummer that folks can’t leave their hard-charging lives behind and enjoy the crossing for what it is- an accomplishment- rather than a “win at all costs” event…

[SV Coronado]

Originally Posted by malbert73

Wow that article and video are telling.

I don’t understand why they add a competition factor into a cruising class. That would take all the fun away for me (as a former high level dinghy and keelboat racer, I cruise to get away from that different mental game). Particularly if folks are using engines and misrepresenting? Of all of the sports to be spoiled by cheating, what a bummer that folks can’t leave their hard-charging lives behind and enjoy the crossing for what it is- an accomplishment- rather than a “win at all costs” event…

I was into the competition, but only for bragging rights in the bar at St. Lucia. I wasn't going to push my boat and risk breaking something or lie about my motoring hours for bragging rights. It was all for fun.

I think they should do away with the motoring penalty. I can sail faster than I can motor and if my boat speed drops below 4 kts for a sustained period of time, I'm probably going to motor regardless. Keep it simple...