LONG WAY TO THE CARIBBEAN

Crossing the Atlantic via the Cape Verde islands is a detour well worth taking

- James Kenning

Crossing the Atlantic in sailing yachts has been done for decades by those of an independent mindset; they just needed a boat seaworthy enough and capable of sailing the 2,700 miles from Europe to the Caribbean.

The dream of sailing the Atlantic has not diminished, and while yacht design has evolved significantly, the challenge of crossing the pond remains a significant milestone for many sailors. More and more are choosing to do so as part of a rally, with the World Cruising Club (WCC) providing the main two options, though other smaller or more race-focused rallies exist.

There are many different reasons to choose to join an ARC rally. For many it offers a level of reassurance, safety in numbers, and consolidated blue-water learning and support to prepare boat and crew for a first ocean crossing. Some participate for the friendly competition of the handicapped 'fun competition' divisions, whilst others find most benefit from the layers of cruising red tape that are handled for them by the WCC team in terms of berthing, customs and immigration. If there is a downside, it is that you 'sail to a schedule' though skippers are not duty bound to sail with the fleet and must, of course, take responsibility for all decisions on their departure.

The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) remains the main event, taking up to 450 boats from the Canary Islands to St Lucia in one hop, but for the last 13 years, the WCC 'Atlantic Rally for Cruisers Plus' (ARC+) event is proving popular with first-time and seasoned Atlantic sailors.