Simon,
Although never done a rally, I've crossed the Atlantic twice (both ways) with a total of 3 on-board, myself and two others....(and have also done it with a total of 5 on-board..)
Quote:
Originally Posted by simonpickard
We will be doing the ARC rally in Nov and were wondering if anyone's done this here as a couple and how you found it?
Three days is one thing, twenty or so is another I'm guessing.
What problems, stresses, etc, does that place on you if there's only two people on board? Or wouldn't you even conciser doing the ARC with just two?
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I'm assuming you'll be on a 38'
monohull (your Hanse 385)??
So, I base my thoughts on that, and what you wrote here....
a) Yes, you CAN do it, with just the two of you...even if nothing breaks, and you have good/decent
weather the whole way (yeah, like that's going to happen!), it will be tiring....
But, if you're both truly game-for-it, then by all means go-for-it!!
b) Adding a 3rd person would make life on-board easier on all...(assuming you got the "right" person, that everyone gets along well with!)
I don't think it is necessary, but it can be nice to have the extra help, stand watches, etc..
Most importantly, it will allow everyone to get more rest/sleep!! (always a good thing!!)
In general, aside from the usual "don'ts" of drugs, alcohol, DUI, criminal records, arrest warrants, etc....
Here are a few others...
Do NOT take on crew that's:
-- Looking for a ride...
-- Looking for adventure...
-- Looking for their first
ocean crossing...
But, DO look for an addition crew
member that:
-- Is a NICE guy / girl....NOT a jerk!!!
-- Has a sense of humor!!!
-- May be a
family member, distant cousin, etc...
-- Longtime friend, co-worker (former or current), old next-door neighbor, etc...
-- Marina mate,
dock mate, fellow yacht club member...
-- Experienced
offshore sailor, w/ previous ocean crossings themselves...
And, some other pluses are:
-- They can cook on-board when at sea (this is NOT something that everyone knows how to do....but I'm better at this, than I am at
cooking at home on-shore!)
-- They own/sail the same boat....(I know many owners of sisterships who crew for other owners on deliveries to/from the US and
Caribbean every year...and they all know the boat very well...even though there have only been 185 produced in the past 15 years...)
-- They're good with their hands, mechanically inclined, etc...
-- They can SAIL...(and I don't mean around buoys...)
-- They can NAVIGATE....(and I don't mean use a
GPS,
laptop, or chartplotter)
The list can go on, but you get the gist....
c) Adding a 4th person is probably not a good idea, unless they are related to / married to the "3rd person"....and even then, probably a bad idea...
Depending on your accommodations,
water supply,
food supply, personal space, etc. having 4 on-board for a long
offshore passage, on a 38'
monohull is pushing it...
(I would not recommend it....)
I hope I helped some...
Fair winds..
John
s/v Annie Laurie