The Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) will bring together a diverse group of boats and crews to sail with the historic ocean rally celebrating its 34th edition in 2019 and while there are no Irish entries among the fleet for next Sunday's start, two Irish boats are listed for next year's edition as part of the World ARC rally.
Conor Haughey will sail across in his Moody 54 Hibernian and Brendan Cahill is crossing in his 14m Lagoon 450, Boru. The 2020/2021 entry list is here
As the rally preparations commence, start dates for the two routes are scheduled for Sunday 10th November for ARC+ and Sunday 24th November for the ARC. As the largest transocean rally, the ARC is also the most eclectic; Sailors on all sizes of budget, of all ages and on all types of boat join in to cross the Atlantic on the trade-winds together, benefiting from the safe and social framework that the rally provides
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 3 to 5 day stopover, yachts can choose to sail to either Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia or Blue Lagoon, St. Vincent. 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 northeast 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 on arrival.
More here
