ARC Atlantic Crossing

Phil · 04 January 2007, 19:21

Just returned from crewing Brigand a 56 foot catamaran across the pond from Gran Canaria to St Lucia

we completed the 2,700 miles in 13 days 11 hours and 35 minutes; as a result we were 1st in the multihull division and 12th overall from the 226 yachts that started

following arrival in St L I subsequently spent xmas in Grenada with the family but included some Grenadines cruising on Brigand

2 spinnakers blown but other than that no real problems;the seas were quite big but not as big as the Biscay which I did in September.

all in all a good experience but in conclusion I quite like the new Revenger twin diesel med boat -these raggies have too many ropes and things to make them go

fastest speed down the back of a wave was recorded at 23.1 kts which is quite daunting on a sail boat!

interestingly after 2 days at sea we saw the lights of 1 other boat and the QE2 passed a mile away -otherewise nothing else seen in nearly two weeks -its a big bit of sea out there

very few RIBS seen -maybe a market for someone?

codprawn · 05 January 2007, 15:09

Alright for some - sounds like a great trip. Yup Revenger looks awesome - maybe one for santa next year???

Just noticed you were first of the multihulls but 12th overall - I thought the multis were supposed to be faster???

Rodan · 05 January 2007, 15:21

racing cats are faster BUT she is a cruiser (so it is an impressive result) and some wouldn't be expected to compete with the likes of a swan 601 or racing maxi. good performance phil!

pop · 06 January 2007, 04:06

Thats not fast, i have done southampton to Antigua 4 times in an ocean 80 and it never took that long. what was the cat? all credit to you though its an adventure the first time

Phil · 07 January 2007, 08:21

Brigand is a space 56 cat designed by Derek Kelsall

there were only 2 real sailors on board so the position was respectful; no way could we compete against racing crews

pop · 08 January 2007, 05:20

I think its great Phil there are to many people who want to do things and never do. Its a lot of work sailing that trip with only 2, did you have any fun times? i always have somthing either engine,rigging or electrics but at least it keeps you from getting board. so come on when is the next crossing ?

Phil · 08 January 2007, 11:44

Pop , there were 7 on board but only 2 who could really sail. So with kites up the skipper and mate did 6 hour watches at night whilst the rest of us did 3 hours; no watches in the day.

most of it was on auto but when we were pushing the kites to the limit the skipper and mate drove.

funnily enough I was not bored until the last day when the wind dropped -the last 40 miles seem to take forever ;typically though as we rounded Pidgeon Island for the finish line we ran in to a squall and every thing went a bit haywire for a few minutes.

I did quite a lot of cooking which meant no watch that night and helped others who either could not or did not want to cook.some found preparing a meal for 7 in reasonably big seas a bit of an effort.

I'd like to return to RIBS this year so am hunting around

However the whole crew sat down for a main meal every night and most mornings for a full breakfast so not too bad on that front

I reckin the funniest moment was in St Lucia when the skipper trod on a sea urchin and asked anyone if they could provide some urine to put on it; one of the girls said she would do so if the rest of us turned away -what happened to buckets!