The ‘ARC Season’ for 2024 is Here
by World Cruising Club 23 Oct 14:14 UTC
Penny Oyster (GBR) finishes in Saint Lucia at the conclusion of ARC 2023 © Tim Wright / www.photoaction.com
With fewer than three weeks until the first departure, ‘ARC Season 2024’ is officially in progress. A total of 1,300 participants are assembling on 240 yachts set for the ARC and ARC+ transatlantic events in the Canary Islands, where they will ready themselves for their journey across the Atlantic to the Caribbean in November.
The 2024 season marks the 39th occurrence of the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia, along with the 12th iteration of the ARC+ rally, which sails from Las Palmas to Cape Verde and then to Grenada.
These rallies continue to engage participants from diverse nationalities, ages, and backgrounds, sailing a range of yachts from bespoke designs to production family cruisers. The popularity of multihulls is on the rise, with a record 46 catamarans and two trimarans registered for the ARC, while 26 multihulls are signed up for ARC+.
Currently, there are 94 yachts registered for ARC+ to Grenada and 146 for the ARC to Saint Lucia, totaling 1,300 crew members from 38 different countries, ranging in age from 9 months to 83 years old.
Family cruisers
This year, 53 children under the age of 16 will be sailing across the Atlantic with the ARC rallies. ARC+ via Cape Verde is the favored route among families, offering stopovers for exploring. There are 19 family boats with 37 children participating in ARC+, alongside 16 children on 8 boats in the ARC.
The ‘ARC kids’ come from 10 different nations, with ages starting from just 9 months, including three sets of twins. Children between the ages of 6 and 16 can also join the complimentary ARC kids’ club in Las Palmas, providing parents with time to finalize their preparations.
Vessels of all sizes
Over 60 boat brands and manufacturers are present across the ARC fleets, from Allures to X-Yachts, with Beneteau and Jeanneau leading the manufacturers’ list with 18 and 16 entries respectively. This year’s smallest yacht is the Hallberg-Rassy 340 Aria Legra (GBR), while the largest is No Rush (GBR), a Southern Wind 105.
Though both ARC+ and ARC are cruising rallies rather than races, participants enjoy friendly competition through an in-house handicap system. Moreover, boats in the ARC have the option to join the IRC racing division, with 11 yachts racing under IRC this year.
The ARC record for the journey from Las Palmas to Saint Lucia without any motor usage was established in 2016 by George David’s Rambler 88 (USA) in a remarkable 8 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes, and 12 seconds. Will anyone challenge this record this year?
Potential leading finishers include the Volvo 70 Green Dragon (AUT), Vismara 62 Leaps & Bounds 2 (MLT), and Swan 76 La Loévie (MLT), skippered by three-time ARC racing division champion Jean-Pierre Dick. The first multihull to cross the finish could be one of the three ORCs or five Outremer catamarans, or perhaps one of the two Neel 47 trimarans – it all depends on the tradewinds.
Departures and destinations
Las Palmas serves as an excellent hub for both the ARC and ARC+ rallies, offering all necessary maritime and provisioning supplies for an Atlantic crossing.
Rally activities in Las Palmas kick off two weeks before each rally’s start. Safety inspections, cruising seminars, and events such as tree planting in the ARC Forest, liferaft demonstrations, and sextant workshops serve to strengthen camaraderie amongst sailors, ease last-minute anxieties, and enhance the rally atmosphere.
On 10 November, the ARC+ fleet will depart Las Palmas, making landfall in Mindelo on São Vicente in the Cape Verde islands, an 850NM journey that will take approximately 5-7 days. After time ashore for relaxation and exploration, the fleet will then set out on 22 November for a 2150NM trip west to St George’s in Grenada, expected to last around 12-16 days. The final prize-giving event will take place on 12 December in Grenada.
The ARC fleet will depart from Las Palmas on 24 November, embarking on a direct 2800NM journey to Rodney Bay in Saint Lucia, a trip that will take most boats between 18-21 days. The prize-giving ceremony is scheduled for 21 December.
In Saint Lucia, many locals say that the arrival of the ARC boats in Rodney Bay marks the beginning of Christmas, and what better way to enjoy the season than under the Caribbean sun.
