Preparing for the ARC

Every year, hundreds of yachts and thousands of sailors take part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), the world’s most popular transatlantic sailing event. Spanning over 2,700 nautical miles from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, the ARC is a thrilling challenge and a bucket-list adventure for cruising sailors. But success and safety depend on careful planning and thorough preparation.

In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know when preparing your yacht for the ARC, from upgrades and provisioning to crew selection and safety drills. Whether you’re a seasoned bluewater sailor or tackling your first ocean crossing, this checklist will help ensure your boat, and your crew, are ARC-ready.

Preparing Your Yacht for the ARC

Rigging and Sails

I hope it goes without saying that your rigging must be in excellent condition for a passage of this length. Make sure you replace any standing rigging over 10 years old and have all components inspected by a professional rigger. Pay special attention to terminals, spreader bases, chainplates, and fittings.

Sails: For the downwind sailing conditions typical of the ARC, a reliable mainsail with deep reefs and a robust genoa or roller-furling headsail are essential. Many ARC participants also carry:

• A genoa pole
• Symmetrical or asymmetrical spinnakers
• Parasailors or twin headsails for tradewind sailing

As with the rigging, make sure all sails are recently inspected, by an experienced sailmaker if you are unsure of what to look for (tip: ask to be there and use it as a learning opportunity), with reinforced stitching and no UV damage.

Hull and Deck

Before the crossing, haul out and inspect the hull below the waterline. Apply fresh antifouling and check for osmosis or delamination. On deck, check lifelines, cleats, stanchions, and toe rails. Reinforce anything that might work loose in a heavy sea.

Engine and Systems

The engine is your most important backup when the wind dies or emergencies arise. Service it thoroughly:

• Change oil, fuel filters, impeller, and belts
• Clean fuel tanks to avoid contamination
• Carry spares for impellers, alternators, filters, and belts

Inspect and test all onboard systems: plumbing, electrics, refrigeration, and steering. Ensure your batteries are in top shape and your charging sources—solar, wind, alternator, or generator—are functional.

2. Safety Equipment for the ARC

Mandatory ARC Safety Requirements

The ARC has strict safety requirements you must meet before departure. These include:

• Liferaft (serviced within the last 12 months)
• EPIRB (406 MHz, registered)
• Emergency tiller and steering system
• Fire extinguishers
• Flares (in-date)
• Lifejackets with crotch straps, lights, and sprayhoods
• Jacklines and harnesses
• VHF radio with DSC

Each yacht must undergo a safety inspection in Las Palmas. Familiarise yourself with the ARC safety checklist in advance to ensure full compliance.

Additional Safety Gear

Although not mandatory, we recommend:

• AIS transceiver
• Iridium GO! or satellite phone
• MOB recovery systems (JonBuoy, Lifesling)
• Personal AIS beacons for crew
• Drogue or sea anchor
• Radar reflector or active radar transponder

3. Navigation and Communications

A reliable GPS chartplotter is essential, preferably with redundancy (tablet or laptop backup with Navionics or OpenCPN). Keep paper charts and traditional tools (dividers, parallel rules) onboard in case of electronic failure.

For weather routing and ocean communication:

• Consider a satellite phone or Iridium GO! for daily GRIB files and check-ins
• Use PredictWind or similar software for route planning
• SSB radio is useful for daily net participation and weather forecasts

Make sure all crew are familiar with your nav systems and procedures for logging position, plotting on paper, and making course corrections.

4. Provisioning for the Atlantic Crossing

Food and Water

Provisioning is a major task when preparing for the ARC. You’ll be at sea for 2–3 weeks, so plan for at least 21–24 days of food and water. Consider:

• Long-life staples (rice, pasta, beans)
• Vacuum-packed or canned meats and vegetables
• Fresh produce with long shelf lives (cabbage, carrots, onions, apples)
• Easy meals for rough weather (couscous, soups, stews)

Organise your food stores by day or meal type, and clearly label lockers. Include plenty of snacks and morale-boosters—chocolate, nuts, dried fruit, and drinks.

Water: Carry a minimum of 3 litres per person per day. A watermaker is a game-changer but shouldn’t replace a core water supply. Always have bottled emergency water onboard.

Cooking and Waste

Test your galley gear under sail. A pressure cooker reduces fuel use and cooking time. Secure pots and utensils to prevent accidents. Plan for waste disposal—most ARC boats separate plastics and crush everything to reduce space.

5. Selecting and Preparing Your Crew

The right crew can make or break your ARC experience. Look for team players with:

• Offshore experience or enthusiasm to learn
• Good communication and resilience
• Practical skills (sailing, first aid, cooking, mechanics)

Plan a few shakedown sails and ideally a long offshore passage together before the ARC. Develop a clear watch system—common setups include 3-on/6-off or 4-on/4-off—with flexibility for weather and crew fatigue.

Hold regular safety briefings. Make sure everyone knows:

• How to operate the radio, GPS, and engine
• Where to find and use fire extinguishers, flares, and liferaft
• Man overboard procedures

6. Medical Kit and First Aid

Carry a Category A offshore medical kit and ensure at least one crew member is trained in offshore first aid. Include:

• Seasickness tablets or patches
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics (prescribed by a doctor)
• Suture kit and sterile dressings
• Pain relief, antihistamines, and rehydration salts

Keep a well-labelled, waterproof medical log and check expiry dates well before departure.

7. Administrative and Final Preparations

Don’t overlook the paperwork when preparing for the ARC:

• Register your vessel with the ARC and complete all forms
• Ensure passports are valid and check Saint Lucia’s entry requirements
• Secure insurance for ocean crossings, including third-party liability and personal accident cover
• Back up all documents digitally and print multiple hard copies (crew list, MMSI, licenses, registration, customs forms)

Conclusion: Final Thoughts on Preparing for the ARC

Preparing for the ARC is a multi-layered process that requires time, focus, and teamwork. Start your preparation at least 6–12 months in advance. The rewards—a safe, exhilarating crossing and the unforgettable landfall in the Caribbean—are worth every hour of planning and preparation.

By methodically addressing yacht readiness, safety compliance, provisioning, crew dynamics, and navigation, you’ll not only increase your chances of a smooth crossing but also enjoy the sense of accomplishment that only a transatlantic passage can bring.

Fair winds and following seas!