The hurricane season in the Eastern Pacific is from June to November. So our next 'cruising window' will begin in October when we will start to head south again, careful to not cross into the 'hurricane region' before early November, when it is generally safe to do so. While we both would be happy hanging out here in Mexico for the next few seasons but "sailing around the world" is on Dan's bucket list -- and thus it is now on mine.
As such, we have decided to join the World ARC (2025) to Australia (and ultimately, around the world in subsequent years). We'll be in Australia by late July 2025, and will have time to explore there and get home for Dylan's graduation before commencing on the 2nd half of the world tour. The World Cruising Club that organizes this event has been in existence for many years and has facilitated sailing rallies all over the world but is most known for Atlantic rallies that go from Europe to the Caribbean and back every year.
To join the rally, we will need to be in Panama by February 1 2025 to join the group. Roughly 2500 miles, we are planning 7 major stops along the way -- this trip will be similar to our Alaska season in that we'll be moving pretty fast. As long as the weather is permitting we keep moving --and we'll hold our position when the weather is poor.
Our decision to join this rally was one that we discussed at length. Some of our sailor friends may question our decision to join something so 'organized'. We've got the experience, we've done the south pacific before.... So why join?
Camaraderie - Our experience with the Baja Haha this year gave us our first experience traveling with a rally. The daily check ins, the excitement of seeing another fleet boat in the distance and the comfort of bouncing ideas off of the group provided both fun and safety. When traveling in Alaska, we enjoyed our buddy boats along the way but realized that everyone was going in different directions so it was difficult to reconnect. With Starlink, we've noticed many of the HAM nets are shutting down, and many cruisers just stay inside their boats in port and are less out visiting with each other. We liked that this rally is limited in size -- only 35 boats are allowed which means you get to know people a bit better than if it were 100 or more. We like that this one requires commitment for a full season or two. AND I guess after spending 30 years in corporate America we both like being part of a team. So it just seems to fit!
A set itinerary to plan around - We have loved the flexibility that we've had of late to go (or not go) when the weather is right. But even in the rally we did this fall -- when the weather wasn't right -- we still felt we could slow down, adjust course and do the needful to stay out of harms way. On the flip side, there are tremendous advantages to being on a schedule. Customs officials are pre-arranged, shore experiences planned and proven itineraries that have been done before. The World ARC completed over several years makes it easier for us to have crew join in major ports and for us to schedule flights home each year to spend time with family. It also ensures we are somewhere safe that we can leave the boat and and get back for Dylan's college graduation.
Off the beaten track vs. on the beaten track -- We like isolation -- to a point. We love being in bays by ourselves, or with one or two other boats AND we like to be in bigger ports/communities on occasion. We like diversity of experience. The ARC balances that out with official legs, mixed with casual cruises with no schedule--in between. In addition, we're excited to be able to visit some sites that cruisers don't typically go as the ARC committee arranges for customs/immigration in some ports that are not normally supported. It also provides an element of safety in numbers. We don't have to be all together, but traveling as a pack is a good thing. The course of the Rally also follows a different course than we've travelled before, including the Galapagos Islands and of which we are very excited to visit!
Simplicity in shoreside logistics - 25 years ago, when we went to the south pacific, each country that we landed in required several days trying to figure out proper procedures to check in and another week or two to prepare for heading out again. So at a minimum we spent 2 weeks doing the coming/going part -- and the remainder of our stay sightseeing if we could. So much logistics. We sometimes got lucky and ended up being in the right places at the right time, but in other cases, we missed activities because we just didn't know better. The World ARC provides pre-trip briefings, shore support, arranged cultural activities, local language help if needed and moorage for a few days prior to each major leg to complete provisions and make needed repairs. The idea is that we spend less time figuring stuff out, waiting in lines and more time enjoying the place and the people.
Safety screening & preparation -- unlike some other rallies, the World ARC uses the international racing rules as a basis for safety equipment requirements. All boats are inspected prior to departure. Now, many of you know -- I've never met a safety gadget that I didn't like so we are pretty well set already. However, we've now got very strict guidelines as to what equipment we carry and what needs to be in good working order. Every crew member has to complete an offshore safety at sea course. In addition to the safety checklist, there are gear checklists and lists of things to ensure for safe passage (i.e. which charts to get, which cruising books). I could have figured it out -- but a list is always nice. Combined with the planned itinerary, it saves some costs -- as you don't have to plan for EVERY eventuality.
A little friendly "racing" from time to time keeps our skills sharp - We found that when we are sailing with other sailors we are more likely to sail and more likely to challenge ourselves to get better. We try new sail combinations, we work harder to go faster, we share fishing tales and we have someone to tell stories with after dinner! We have really missed our cruising buddies from the pacific northwest!
The list of projects we are undertaking this summer are to ensure safe passage for what will be an extended round the world trek over 3-4 years. We are both feeling good about our decision and are thrilled to be part of the World ARC 2025. We look forward to sharing this next adventure with you all... and perhaps even a few of you might want to join in for a leg?
Onward!
This is exciting!! And this certainly rings a bell - "and thus it is now on mine." :) (Angie)