Welcome to the latest news from World Cruising Club!

Published 8 years ago, updated 5 years ago

In this edition, we are delighted to announce that entries are open for our rallies in 2017 so now is an excellent time to sign up and start planning your adventure with advice on hand from World Cruising Club and our supporters.

Last month, we were delighted to see so many people at the Southampton Boat Show both on our stand and at our Forums and Presentations held throughout the show. The WCC team will be available at Scotland’s Boat Show in a couple of weeks time, and taking part in Practical Boat Owner’s Ask the Experts series.

As the summer season in the northern hemisphere draws to a close, preparations for the ARC kick into gear. Both route choices are full for the rally this November; we urge anyone looking to sail next year to enter before the end of the year to guarantee a place – and benefit from an early payment discount!

Sign up for your next adventure – Entries are now open for rallies in 2017 and beyond

If you’re planning your next sailing adventure, we’re pleased to announce that entries are now open for the 2017 editions of ARC Europe, ARC USA, ARC Portugal, ARC Baltic, ARC and ARC+. If you are ready for the cruising adventure of a lifetime, now is the perfect time to register for World ARC 2018 – circumnavigate the globe in sixteen months, or take extra time out in the Pacific and join the next edition.

Following a successful first edition, ARC Channel Islands will be back again in 2017 – entries will open in the new year.

Entry lists are filling up already, so do not delay if you are yet to request an information park, which explains about the route, benefits, pricing and safety equipment requirements for each rally. Early sign-ups also benefit from discounts on the entry fees, and the WCC team will be happy to advise on preparing your boat and crew in good time for the rally.

Find out about all WCC Rallies at www.worldcruising.com

See us at Scotland’s Boat Show

The WCC team will be at Scotland’s Boat Show, the largest boat show in Scotland, taking place from the 14th-16th October at Kip Marina, Iverclyde.

World Cruising Club’s director Jeremy Wyatt and ARC provisioning guru Clare Pengelly give insight into long-distance cruising as part of PBO’s Ask the Experts Live! They’ll be presenting on the RYA Scotland stage, discussing ‘Top 10 equipment choices for the ARC and the realities of crossing the Atlantic’. Talks take place on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th October from 1300-1400 and Sunday 16th October from 1330-1430.

Click here for the full Ask the Experts Live schedule from Practical Boat Owner Magazine

There’s also plenty to see on the water, and RYA Scotland is aiming to offer as many as 500 opportunities to get afloat for free at the show’s ‘Get on the Water’ pavilion. The pavilion specializes in showcasing affordable small boats, courtesy of the Hurley, Leisure, Moody and Westerly owners’ associations.

Find out more at www.scotlandsboatshow.co.uk

Preparations underway for a sell-out ARC – 300 boats set for Atlantic adventures this November

Final preparations are underway in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria as the island prepares to welcome the fleets for ARC and ARC+ next month. It’s a full house for this year’s rally – Both route options are at capacity with waiting lists in place for the first time since the creation of ARC+ in 2013, allowing for a total of 300 boats to sail under the ARC banner this November.  It’s set to be the biggest migration ever to sail with the rally to the Caribbean shores of Saint Lucia!

How to crew on the ARC – Top tips for finding a boat to sail on

The 2016 edition of the ARC is rapidly approaching and we have over 300 boats carrying 1500 aspiring ocean sailors ready to check off their transatlantic “bucket list” item. The dream of endless days, each becoming warmer and non-stop down-wind sailing has quite an appeal, but we are always asked how do you find a boat to sail on.

Despite such a large fleet, demand for crewing spaces is very high, so best to plan ahead if you want to “do the ARC”.

Here are our top tips for those with Atlantic ambitions.

News from the World ARC 2016 Fleet – A true example of rally spirit

At World Cruising Club, we are often asked about the benefits of sailing with a rally, rather than going it alone. One of the elements that are often so difficult to describe is the bond that develops on boats sailing with an organized fleet, and how organised communications via SSB Radio is the ‘glue’ that keeps them together whilst at sea.

Earlier this month, as the World ARC fleet were on passage from Darwin to Lombok, the morning SSB call brought news of an engine failure on board one of the yachts. Unfortunately, this particular leg of the circumnavigation is characteristically light airs, and the crew were unable to make effective repairs. With Lombok 360 miles distant there were only two realistic options – to turn east and head to Kupang West Timor or ask for a volunteer from the rally fleet to turn around and tow Odysseus in periods when the winds fell light.

Read how the fleet rallied round to help the stricken yacht

Mix, Meet and Learn at the Ocean Cruising Seminar, Guildford, UK

Whatever your plans and aspirations, if they include offshore sailing then come and learn from the experts at the Ocean Cruising Seminar 31 March-2 April, 2017 in Guildford, UK.

The two day Ocean Sailing Seminar, supported by Yachting World magazine, covers all aspects of preparing to go ocean sailing, presented by experts, industry professionals and experienced sailboat cruisers. Speakers have been chosen for their knowledge and practical experience in their specialist fields, with many thousands of ocean sailing miles amongst them.

Kerry Moores attended the seminar in 2016, “The weekend was invaluable. We are in the early stages of planning and I feel 100 times more informed than I did three days ago. The staff and speakers were all excellent and approachable.”

Click here for more information [BROKEN LINK]

World ARC 2018

Are you dreaming of tropical islands and faraway places? Are you wondering what to do after the ARC? Looking for a safe, supported and social experience cruising the world’s oceans?

Then join us and a varied fleet of yachts from all over the world for the adventure of a lifetime with World ARC 2018. Now is the perfect time to sign up for the rally in Saint Lucia in January 2018, or in Australia the following September and benefit from plenty of advice and support planning your adventure. The route features classic trade-wind sailing and the WCC Event Team are on hand in each port to organize a comprehensive social schedule of parties, dinners, tours ashore and other fun activities to enhance your adventure. They take on the task of liaising with local officials and finding the best places to visit, meaning that you have more time to relax and enjoy the adventure.

Click here if you would like to receive an information pack which explains about the route, benefits, pricing and safety equipment requirements for World ARC.