Tagged 'arc-2011'

This map shows the accumulation of all the passages made by the Hallberg-Rassy 54 sailing yacht, Feelin’ Good, from the time she was launched in July 2011 right up through her final passage in July 2012. Her travels have taken her from Sweden through the Kiel Canal in Germany, along the coast of Holland and Belgium and through the English Channel to the Bay of Biscay.

Aboard the Hallberg-Rassy 54 Feelin’ Good, four friends face the Atlantic for the return journey from the Caribbean to the Azores and then on to the Mediterranean. A wonderful 3’400 nm journey over three weeks starting in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua stopping in Horta, Azores and continuing onto Estepona, Spain. The video shows how well the HR-54 sails and how capable it is to cross oceans.

The winter months have passed by too quickly. Since our arrival in the Caribbean last fall, we’ve enjoyed sailing and spending time with friends in the beauty of this idyllic part of the world. However, hurricane season is approaching (its official start date is the 1st of June) and like the migration of birds, sailing yachts are starting the long passage back to Europe. The tradition of doing an Atlantic Circuit has been around for hundreds of years

After sailing around the Caribbean for the winter, we are ready to complete the Atlantic Circuit and return to Europe. This is a passage that sailors have been making for hundreds of years and we’re excited to be joining that group. Last November we met with the ARC group in Las Palmas di Gran Canaria to make the crossing to the Caribbean along with 250 other yachts.

Last November I completed the ARC 2011, a ‘rally for cruisers’ that has been going on for 26 years. The ARC was created by Jimmy Cornwell to provide a way for people who needed help crossing the Atlantic to benefit from the experience of those that already had. A valiant and worthwhile endeavor for a man with incredible experience to pass along. Over the years, thousands of sailors have successfully participated.

No wind for our return to Charlestown, Nevis and the sea state was moderate as well so a long seven hours to get back. Customs was closing at 16:00 so we were trying to get there in time so we could go to dinner on-shore. I arrived at their office at 16:10 and they were kind enough to help out and clear me in.