ARC 2025 - 40 years of transatlantic rallies

The crew of Parma (FRA) crossing the ARC finish line in 2001 after 15 days © Tim Wright

This year marks the 40th edition of the ARC, the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, one of sailing's must-do events. The crews who will set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria this November will follow in the wake of 7,890 yachts and over 30,000 people who have sailed the rally since 1986.

Forty continuous years is quite an achievement, and 2025's ARC sailors will enjoy an enhanced programme of activities in Las Palmas and Saint Lucia. In addition, there are special discounts for any yacht under forty feet, and any yacht or skipper that sailed in the first rally.

The first boat to enter the 40th ARC was Contessa 32 Teela (GBR) owned by Ellen and Mark Catherall. "We're really excited to be taking part in ARC 2025, and our preparations are in full swing!", said Ellen Catherall. Teela is currently the smallest boat in ARC 2025, and the largest so far is the 28.8m Free at Last (MLT).

The reason for rallies

The ARC was the brainchild of Jimmy Cornell, who wanted to create a reason to depart for the would-be ocean sailors gathering in the Canaries every autumn. His focus on increasing safety and confidence has been the guiding principle of every World Cruising Club rally since.

The original press release stated that the event was aimed 'not for racing's elite of semi-professional and sponsored professional yachtsmen, but strictly for true cruising enthusiasts'. And that is how it has remained.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was the first choice of departure port, and both the spectacle of the fleet and the spending power of the sailors continue to be welcomed by the tourism authority, city council and local people. Late November is widely known as 'ARC season' in Las Palmas, and for many locals, waving the fleet off is an annual tradition. After four years of finishing in Barbados, Saint Lucia became the 1990 destination and has been the rally's Caribbean home ever since.

While the ethos and adventure of sailing across the Atlantic are constants, the boats have changed. With average length only increasing slightly to 14.9m, the most significant changes have been in hulls and age. In the last ten years, the number of multihulls has doubled to comprise a third of the fleet, and the average age of boats has decreased, with around one in five launched in the previous 12 months.

In 2013 the ARC expanded with a sister rally, ARC+, starting in Las Palmas two weeks before the ARC and sailing for Mindelo in Cape Verde, before crossing the Atlantic to Port Louis Marina in Grenada. ARC+ is now a must-do in its own right, attracting a slightly younger demographic and a higher percentage of families and multihulls.

The first ARC in 1986 attracted 204 entries from 24 countries, and over the years the numbers crossing the Atlantic with the two rallies has remained at more than 220. Ocean cruising continues to attract ever-wider participation, with a record 46 nationalities represented in the 2024 fleets.

ARC 2025

ARC 2025 starts on 23 November in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, sailing over 2700NM to Rodney Bay Marina in Saint Lucia and ending with a huge prize-giving celebration on 20 December.

The special 40th edition discounts for ARC 2025 are two free crew places (worth £350) for all boats under 40 feet (12.19m) and four free crew places (worth £700) for all entries where the boat or skipper participated in the 1986 ARC.

Entry fees for ARC 2025 start from £1,100 for boats up to 10.29m (33'9") increasing in bands, with the average yacht paying £1,800. Alongside the boat fee, multihulls pay an additional £400 and a crew fee of £175 for everyone over 16.

The rally fees include a comprehensive rally handbook to support the preparation of boat and crew, two weeks of pre-departure activities in Las Palmas, tracking of all vessels across the Atlantic, 24-7 support from the rally team, landfall welcome in Saint Lucia and a memorable prize-giving ceremony.

For entry details, see www.worldcruising.com or call +44 1983 296060