Is the cost of the Atlantic Cruising Rally worth it?

[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!!

[boatman61]

Never done the ARC but have delivered a boat to Gran Canaria for the ARC..
Yes there was some partying and camaraderie but I don't think it's worth the entry cost nor the cost of upgrades if you fail their pre sailing inspection.

[carstenb]

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!!

We crossed with ARC+ 7 years ago. ARC says that if you utilize all the discounts you can get on marinas on your way to the Canaries - then participation has cost you nothing.

We were disappointed - we felt the organizing was poor - especially considering they have been doing this for years. Some good parties, but if you participate and go to the parties, make sure you eat a big dinner BEFORE you go. ARC will tell you there will be lots of food, but when you get there it is only some finger foods and these are snapped up as soon as they come out of the kitchen

We would not do it again

[bensolomon]

I have done ARC rallies, but only coastal (Delmarva). I very much appreciated the weather routing, the ability to bounce concerns off of other rally members, and the perception of increased safety in numbers. When I did the ARC delmarva, I had just purchased my boat 2 years prior, and did not have much experience with her or as captain of a vessel. I also very much enjoyed the camaraderie of traveling with a bunch of other people and boats, especially out in the ocean. Most of my socialization was with those other people either on my boat or on their boat independent of the organized get togethers.

7 years later, I am much more confident in my own abilities and my vessel's abilities. That said, I too, I'm considering crossing the Atlantic with The ARC anyway because my experience was so favorable. My limiting reagent is time. Best of luck to you with your crossing however you choose to go.

Ben

[chubby]

Originally Posted by carstenb

We crossed with ARC+ 7 years ago. ARC says that if you utilize all the discounts you can get on marinas on your way to the Canaries - then participation has cost you nothing.

We were disappointed - we felt the organizing was poor - especially considering they have been doing this for years. Some good parties, but if you participate and go to the parties, make sure you eat a big dinner BEFORE you go. ARC will tell you there will be lots of food, but when you get there it is only some finger foods and these are snapped up as soon as they come out of the kitchen

We would not do it again

oh wow.. i assumed the coast of ARC included berths in marinas..

[LakeSuperior]

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!!

Kind of an expensive way to make lots of new friends IMHO. When you are crossing the Atlantic you are alone so no benefit there. When we did the North Atlantic loop we made a few "friends" and tons of casual acquaintances over the two year period.

From our perspective the ARC did not meet the cost benefit criterion. It is a good deal for the organizers I suspect. Seriously, what value are you getting for $2500? A couple parties, a group start, weather forcasting? My hope is you aren't running around the Atlantic without a rudimentary understanding weather and the means to acquire a forecast as needed.

Just my perspective.

[Montanan]

A bit dated link to facts and figures regarding the ARC.

https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/arch...-figures-25185


One has to ask what specifically you desire to receive / obtain by joining an organized voyage.

$2,500 is a substantial chunk of change, recommend one itemize in detail what is being purchased and assess the value exchange. There are but a few office organizers for the event planning so yeah, don't expect a great deal of accomplishments from them.

As others have mentioned, that is a pricey cover charge to enter a social gathering to make friends and acquaintances.

Weather forecasting / routing is readily available from many other sources.

During the transit they are just vessels apart going your way.

[stebby]

Thank you so much!

[Cwens]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Never done the ARC but have delivered a boat to Gran Canaria for the ARC..
[...] but I don't think it's worth the entry cost nor the cost of upgrades if you fail their pre sailing inspection.

What are some things that would cause a boat to fail their inspection, that you don't think any prudent sailor about to sail offshore ought to fix in any case, requirement or no?

[stebby]

That is so helpful! I appreciate you responding.

[stebby]

That is super helpful! I was feeing like maybe we would be "missing something" if we don't do it, but it just doesn't seem worth it. I also don't like the idea of all 200 boats arriving in the same harbor and clamoring for anchor spots. It might actually be more enjoyable to depart when the weather looks good for us sometime after they all leave the Canaries. I'm sure we'll make plenty of friends along the way. Thank you for replying!

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by stebby

That is super helpful! I was feeing like maybe we would be "missing something" if we don't do it, but it just doesn't seem worth it. I also don't like the idea of all 200 boats arriving in the same harbor and clamoring for anchor spots. It might actually be more enjoyable to depart when the weather looks good for us sometime after they all leave the Canaries. I'm sure we'll make plenty of friends along the way. Thank you for replying!

You could leave a couple days ahead of the pack. That way if for some low probability reason you run into trouble it would be easy for someone to divert and save you. With the pack behind they will be sailing downwind and therefore arriving sooner to help you.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by stebby

That is super helpful! I was feeing like maybe we would be "missing something" if we don't do it, but it just doesn't seem worth it. I also don't like the idea of all 200 boats arriving in the same harbor and clamoring for anchor spots. It might actually be more enjoyable to depart when the weather looks good for us sometime after they all leave the Canaries. I'm sure we'll make plenty of friends along the way. Thank you for replying!

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.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ChrisOwens

What are some things that would cause a boat to fail their inspection, that you don't think any prudent sailor about to sail offshore ought to fix in any case, requirement or no?

Let's put it this way... every boat I have crossed in would have failed their inspection, both mine and deliveries I have done.
If you go on their site I'm sure you'll find a list of inspection.

[stebby]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Let's put it this way... every boat I have crossed in would have failed their inspection, both mine and deliveries I have done.
If you go on their site I'm sure you'll find a list of inspection.

Here is the list
https://www.worldcruising.com/CMS/CM...s_2023_ENG.pdf

It would be nice to have all of this, but some things would be additional expenses for us such as :servicing life raft every three years--ours is up-to date-but was not serviced in the last three years, and AIS crew overboard personal beacon for each crew member.