Crossing the Atlantic via ARC+ 2025 — Route, Crew Dynamics and Practical Takeaways

The ARC+ fleet sails roughly 3,100 nautical miles from Las Palmas to Grenada with a scheduled stopover in Mindelo, São Vicente for up to a week to allow for staggered arrivals, mandatory briefings and safety inspections conducted by the World Cruising Club.

Route, timing and regulatory checkpoints

The traditional ARC+ itinerary comprises two main legs: Las Palmas (Gran Canaria) to Cape Verde (~900 nm) and Cape Verde to St. George's, Grenada (~2,200 nm). Each yacht must complete pre-departure checks, carry required safety equipment, and attend skipper briefings. The stopover in Mindelo functions as an operational window for rigging inspections, re-provisioning, and local formalities before the transatlantic crossing.

Typical schedule and on-board routines

Departure is usually concentrated in early November. During passage, crews adopt watch systems for navigation, maintenance and galley duties. Common tasks include:

• Regular sail and rigging inspections at set intervals
• Watch rotations for steering and lookout
• Daily updates to routing using weather grib files and VHF nets
• Provision management and refrigeration checks

Crew composition and vessel types

Entries often mix monohulls and multihulls. For ARC+ 2025 one yacht, the 11m catamaran Kasafari, sailed with a multinational crew: Robin (Swiss), Carolina (Colombian), Ryan (American), Jen (Australian), Leilani (Filipino) and an additional offshore-experienced crew member. Mixed-experience crews are common, requiring rapid familiarisation with vessel systems and clearly assigned roles.

Leg 1: Las Palmas to Cape Verde — weather and tactics

The first leg typically starts in northerly or north-westerly winds that can strengthen as yachts leave island lee. Sail plans often begin with full canvas then reduce to one or more reefs as wind builds. During ARC+ 2025 the fleet faced an initial 15–25 knot regime, necessitating reefing for overnight runs and conservative sail combinations to preserve gear.

Performance snapshot

Mindelo stopover — maintenance and local excursions

The ARC+ stop in Mindelo affords time for routine maintenance such as mast checks and electronics troubleshooting. Shore-side activities—organised by the World Cruising Club—include island tours (notably to Sao Antao) and social events that help crews exchange passage notes and local provisioning tips.

Leg 2: Cape Verde to Grenada — trade winds, sail choices and passage planning

Passage planning for this ~2,200 nm leg frequently involves routing decisions to avoid calm patches. On ARC+ 2025, many crews elected to sail a southerly offset early on to minimise motoring. The first week often offers steady trade winds suitable for deploying a parasailor or a code-zero; later sections can introduce stronger squalls, demanding reefing and renewed vigilance.

Life at sea: food, fixes and morale

Typical passage life combines routine maintenance with leisure opportunities: fishing, swimming when safe, and navigation training such as sextant practice. Fresh catches and communal cooking help morale; watch systems sustain rest and safety. New yachts may require hands-on fault-finding during early legs, so extra time in port to shake down systems is prudent.

Preparatory checklist

• Verify all safety gear and liferaft servicing
• Stock provisions for potential delays
• Carry spare lines, sails and common spares
• Establish watch schedule and emergency procedures

Highlights of ARC+ include the challenge of long ocean sailing, the camaraderie developed onboard, and the dramatic entrance into Caribbean marinas such as Port Louis in Grenada where arriving crews typically receive welcomes, rum punches and celebratory gatherings.

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In summary, ARC+ 2025 demonstrates the importance of thorough provisioning, flexible routing to manage wind holes and squalls, and the value of time in-port for shakedown and local exploration. Whether planning пригодницькі рафтинг-подорожі для початківців, a luxury adventure travel experience aboard a yacht, or a екскурсія по музею з живими гідами After arrival, crews benefit from clear roles, conservative sail plans and a readiness to adapt. Personal experience remains the ultimate judge of any passage: online reviews help, but nothing replaces the firsthand thrill of crossing an ocean under sail.