Welcome to ARC EuropeYour Adventure Starts Here!

www.worldcruising.com/arceurope© World Cruising Club Publications

Cross the Atlantic west to east starting from the Caribbean or USA. Explore the Atlantic islands of Bermuda and the Azores archipelago before making landfall in Lagos, Portugal.

Whether returning to Europe after a season or more in the Caribbean, or making the first stage of a European cruising adventure, ARC Europe is a cruise in company that enables you to see the best of the north Atlantic before arriving in Europe for the summer season.

Explore the Atlantic islandsMore than just a transocean delivery, ARC Europe enables you to explore Bermuda and the remote Azores islands. As well as enjoying the natural and architectural delights of the islands, the time ashore allows you to prepare for the ocean crossings and perhaps to change crews; involving more family and friends in your Atlantic adventure.

RequirementsWe require all boats to have at least two people on board, and to carry specific safety and communications equipment. Click on the ‘What you need’ tab for full details.

The RouteARC Europe departs from either Nanny Cay on Tortola BVI or from Portsmouth Virginia, heading first for St George’s, Bermuda. This first passage is a shake-down for the 1800nm Atlantic crossing to Faial in the Azores, traditional landfall for generations of sailors.

Azores Cruise includes Horta on Faial, Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira and Ponta Delgada on São Miguel. Exact dates to be confirmed.

After cruising the Azorean archipelago, boats either sail on with the fleet to Marina de Lagos in Portugal, or make their own way onwards with continuing weather support.

ARC Europe 2017 Schedule1 May 2017:

Rally office opens in Nanny Cay Marina

6 May 2017: Depart from Nanny Cay or Portsmouth for Bermuda

16 May 2017: Depart St George’s Bermuda for Horta, Faial

10 June 2017: Depart Ponta Delgada for Marina de Lagos, Portugal

18 June 2017: Final prize giving dinner in Lagos

The schedule is subject to change and full details will be confirmed at a later date.

ARC Europe: 2017

“We had the most fantastic time. It is much more fun making passages and cruising Islands in a group than on your own and the tours/social events really make the cost worth it.”Russell Hawkins of Mad Fish, (GBR)

ContactsRally FAQsWhat you needHow to joinWhat’s included?About the rally

www.worldcruising.com/arceurope© World Cruising Club Publications

Most people join a World Cruising Club rally for the security and peace of mind of an organised event; for the camaraderie and friendship of a large group of like-minded people; and for the fun of sailing in a fleet of boats.

What do the entry fees include?Before you even get to the start, we help with your preparations by providing a comprehensive Rally Handbook and rally newsletters, and we’re here to answer your questions by phone or email.

In Nanny Cay and Portsmouth:

ARC Europe flagSafety equipment inspectionThree days docking before the startSeminar programmeComprehensive social programmePre-departure Skippers’ Briefing with weather information

During the rally:

Welcome on arrival at each stopover port2-3 days docking in Horta and Ponta Delgada (see rally conditions)Full social programme at each stopover portTours or excursion at each stopover port (except Bermuda)Liaison with Customs and Immigration authoritiesDaily weather forecastWebsite for publishing boat positions, blogs and photos

In Lagos:

Welcome on arrival and pack of local informationFinal prize giving dinnerThree nights dockingDiscounted docking for longer stays at Marina de Lagos

Entry feesThe entry fee is made up of a boat fee and a crew fee payable for each person onboard the boat.

Boat entry fee £800Crew fee (whole rally) £275Crew fee (one leg only) £100Children aged under 16 on 1 May 2017 Free For entries received before 1 September 2016 a non-refundable booking fee of £200 is payable to ensure a place in ARC Europe 2017. The booking fee will be credited against the entry fee, which must be paid in full by 18 December 2016 to confirm participation.

“The ARC Europe brings a whole new dimension to the term ‘boat rally’. The stops in Bermuda and the Azores gave everyone a chance to really get acquainted, and the land time made it much more of a vacation, rather than simply ‘moving the boat’. We cannot imagine the solitude of crossing the Atlantic alone. Our special thanks for helping to make this long passage a wonderful experience” Larry Ivins of Berkeley East (USA)

Benefits of Joining the Rally

ContactsRally FAQsWhat you needHow to joinWhat’s included?About the rally

“Since we returned, one question keeps popping up in my mind - what next? ARC Europe will be a hard act to follow.” John White of Rafiki (USA)

www.worldcruising.com/arceurope© World Cruising Club Publications

To enter, all you need to do is to complete an entry form and pay your boat fee online. You can also opt to pay by bank transfer. www.worldcruising.com/membersarea

What happens next?After you have completed your entry and paid your boat fee, we will send you a confirmation email and receipt.

We will mail out your Rally Handbook in early 2017 so that you can start preparing for the rally, and we’ll encourage you to start using the Member’s Area of the website to update your boat and crew information. You’ll begin receiving the rally newsletters which are packed with useful tips and reminders.

ARC Europe 2017 entry schedule1 September 2016 Last date to enter for a reduced, non-refundable booking fee

18 December 2016 Last date for 5% discount on boat fees (20% for ARC and Caribbean 1500 participants)

1 April 2016 Start of late payment fee - 25% surcharge applies after this date

DivisionsThere are two divisions for ARC Europe; Cruising and Open. Boats in the Cruising Division will have a World Cruising Club handicap calculated, so that some friendly competition can be arranged. Other boats (including multihulls and motorboats) will sail in the Open Division with no results calculated.

Having a formal start to each leg provides a sense of occasion and encourages sailing skills.

RefundsIf you enter then decide that you won’t be able to take part in the rally, you can either choose a refund or to transfer to next year’s rally.

Refunds are available on a sliding scale for withdrawals made in writing (by email). Boat fees are part refundable up to 12 weeks before the start date, and crew fees up to 8 weeks before the start.

Alternatively, you can chose to transfer your entry fees as a credit towards the next year’s rally, less an administration charge of £250. Full details of our refund policy and other important information is available in our Terms and Conditions.

How to Join the Rally

“It was a wonderful rally, everything was perfectly organized, the community with the other crew was just fantastic and we all had loads of fun!”Peter-Klaus Panzer of La Chunga II (GER)

ContactsRally FAQsWhat you needHow to joinWhat’s included?About the rally

www.worldcruising.com/arceurope© World Cruising Club Publications

We take the safety of participants in all of our rallies very seriously. Over 450 boats sail in World Cruising Club rallies each year, representing more than 1800 people. The job of a rally organizer is to provide a safe framework for participants and to provide them with the information they need to make safe decisions for their boat and crew.

We require all of the rally boats to carry a minimum quantity and quality of safety and communications equipment, and to have undertaken training in using that equipment, heavy weather sailing techniques, and managing emergencies. Our team of experienced safety equipment inspectors will come onboard and check your equipment before the start of the rally, and of course, we’re always happy to help new cruisers talk through decisions about safety and communications at sea.

Download a full copy of our Safety Equipment Requirements that provides details about the mandatory and recommended safety and communications gear, and about crew training.

Safety equipmentWe expect the boat to carry a range of safety equipment that is fit for purpose and ready to use. Our requirements are based on the World Sainling (ISAF) standards, and include: an approved offshore liferaft with a more than 24 hour pack, 406MHz EPIRB, 25W VHF transceiver, AIS receiver and man-overboard equipment. We also require every person onboard to have an inflatable combined lifejacket-harness (PFD) with a spray hood, crotch strap and safety line. In addition, the boat must have a means of sending and receiving emails while at sea.

Qualifying passageThe skipper and one crew member must complete a non-stop coastal or offshore voyage of at least 250nm onboard the rally yacht. Proof of other similar sailing experience will be accepted. This helps to identify any problems with the boat and equipment before the start of the rally.

Crew and crew trainingEach boat has to have two people on board, including the skipper. We need at least the skipper and one other person on board to have undertaken training within the last 5 years on a range of topics including using the safety and communications equipment, heavy weather sailing techniques and managing emergencies. The ISAF Offshore Safety and related sea survival courses are ideal.

Helping you prepareWe appreciate that many crews wanting to join the rally will have already undertaken significant offshore passages, but taking time to consider the boat, its equipment and the crew is worthwhile. A west to east Atlantic crossing needs to be carefully planned.

Equipment and Training

ContactsRally FAQsWhat you needHow to joinWhat’s included?About the rally

“It’s comforting to have the same familiar faces greet you in every port and to know that everyone truly cares about the safe passage and arrival of one another. This is what it’s all about.”Crew of Blonde Moment (GBR)

www.worldcruising.com/arceurope© World Cruising Club Publications

Your Questions AnsweredWhat is the minimum size of boat and crew? 8.23m (27’) length overall (LOA) with at least two people on board

How long will the rally take? The initial passage to Bermuda takes around 5-7 days; from Bermuda to Horta 14-16 days and from Azores to Portugal 5-6 days for an average 12m (40’) boat. The entire rally runs over 6 weeks.

When does the rally start? ARC Europe 2017 starts on May 6, 2017 from either Nanny Cay, Tortola BVI or Portsmouth, Virginia USA. For more information go to About the rally

Can I use my engine? Boats in the Cruising and Open Divisions may use their engines for propulsion, but Cruising Division boats must declare their engine hours for their results to be calculated.

What safety equipment do I need? We have a list of mandatory and recommended safety equipment that we will inspect on board the boat before the rally starts. For more information, go to What you need

What training should I do? We do require the skipper and at least one of the crew to have done some safety and communications equipment, heavy weather sailing and emergency management training within the last five years – see What you need

How do I prepare for the rally? You can learn more about the rally and tips for preparing your boat and crew by attending one of our 2 hour boat show forums, or 2 day residential seminars. We also have a number of handy videos on our YouTube channel. We are always happy to answer questions about preparing boat and crew, and how to source equipment – please call or email us!

Do I need an SSB radio? No, but you will need to be able to send and receive email at sea, either with an SSB and pactor modem, or with a satellite phone.

Can I take my children? Families with children of all ages are very welcome.

How do I find crew? Personal recommendations are the best way of finding crew, but you can also register free on Ocean Crew Link to look for crew or respond to adverts. The ARC Europe Facebook page www.facebook.com/arceurope is also a good way to connect with ralliers and crew.

Can I change crew along the route? Yes! Portsmouth, British Virgin Islands (Beef Island), Bermuda, Faial, São Miguel and Lagos (Faro) all have airports with international connections.

What about visas? Some non-EU nationals will need visas – check with the Embassy or see the country information pages on www.noonsite.com

Can I take my pets? We have no restrictions on the animals you carry on your boat, but you must comply with the laws and regulations for your home country and any countries visited by the rally or during your cruising. We will provide advice in the Rally Handbook, or look up the country information on noonsite.com

How can I get back to the Caribbean? You can join the ARC, which departs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for a trade wind crossing to Saint Lucia every November. You could ship your boat back on a yacht transporter, or you could arrange a delivery crew.

What about cruising after the rally? Lagos is a great base for exploring the anchorages of the Algarve, or as a stepping-off point for a longer cruise to Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean. Many ARC Europe boats continue to cruise together after the rally, building on friendships formed during the cruise.

Lagos has excellent international connections via Faro and Lisbon airports, and is a secure base to leave the boat if you need to fly home. Marina de Lagos offers docking discounts to ARC Europe participants.

ContactsRally FAQsWhat you needHow to joinWhat’s included?About the rally

www.worldcruising.com/arceurope© World Cruising Club Publications

ContactsIf you have any questions about joining the rally, the suitability of your boat, selecting equipment or any other issue please contact us:

World Cruising ClubOur main office in the UK is open Monday-Friday 0900-1730120 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31 7AXTel: +44 (0)1983 296060Email: mail@worldcruising.comSkype: wccmail

World Cruising Club USAIsabelle Tremblay and Andy SchellTel: +1 (757) 788-8872Email: carib1500@worldcruising.com

World Cruising Club RepresentativesGermany: Astrid & Wilhelm Greiff Tel: +49 (0)9533 8733 Email: buero-deutschland@worldcruising.comNetherlands: Bojan Michiels von KessenichTel: +31 (70) 3040466 Email: dutchsupport@worldcruising.com

About World Cruising ClubWorld Cruising Club organises sailing events around the world. The rallies are devised for the ‘average’ cruising boat and crew; helping people to realise their dream of making a long offshore passage.

The company was formed by Jimmy Cornell following the success of very first ARC in 1986. After Jimmy’s retirement in 1998, the company has been run by Andrew Bishop.

World Cruising Club RalliesARC The original sailing rally has run every year since 1986. Departs Las Palmas de Gran Canaria for Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia with a route option via the Cape Verde Islands every November.

ARC Caribbean 1500 North America’s largest and longest-running rally. Departs Portsmouth VA for Tortola BVI every November.

World ARC The ultimate circumnavigation rally takes 15 months, departing from Saint Lucia sailing via Panama, Galapagos, Pacific islands, Australia, Bali, Cocos, Mauritius, South Africa and Brazil.

ARC Europe Explore the Atlantic Islands of Bermuda and the Azores, on passage from Tortola BVI or Portsmouth VA bound for Lagos Portugal. Starts from Portsmouth and Nanny Cay early May.

ARC USA Sail from the Caribbean to Portsmouth USA. Starts in May in Tortola BVI.

ARC Portugal Cruise across Biscay to Marina de Lagos on Portugal’s Algarve, exploring ashore and afloat. Starts late May or early June in Plymouth, UK.

ARC Baltic Visiting six capitals in six weeks, the rally takes you on a 1,500nm voyage of discovery through Europe’s “east sea”, combining social cruising with exploring the Baltic’s fascinating sights ashore.

ARC Channel Islands Run in association with RYA Active Marina this rally offers an week long organised cruise to Cherbourg, Guernsey, Jersey and Alderney.

Malts Cruise Cruise the islands and lochs of Scotland’s Hebrides. Starts in Oban, UK in July.

Seminars and ForumsHelping you prepare for your offshore adventure is an important part of our role. We run a number of 2 hour panel Forums and 2 day intensive Seminars in locations across the UK, USA and Europe. For more information go to www.worldcruising.com/training

ARC Europe Supporters and SponsorsARC Europe 2017 is sponsored by Nanny Cay Marina and Marina de Lagos and is run in association with SAIL magazine.

The global resource for cruising sailors www.noonsite.com features essential information on all matters of interest to sailors planning an offshore voyage - a one-stop website providing essential information on all maritime nations of the world.

“We were particularly impressed by all the WCC staff we encountered who were uniformly friendly and helpful” Steve Huckvale, yacht Arcarius

ContactsRally FAQsWhat you needHow to joinWhat’s included?About the rally