The longest-running ocean crossing rally in North America, the '1500' is a must-do for many cruisers. The ARC Caribbean 1500 fleet sails from the Chesapeake Bay to Nanny Cay on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. The start port and dates make the most of the available weather to maximize your Caribbean sailing, and our week-long pre-departure program will get you relaxed and ready for cruising.
Without a doubt the most difficult part of getting to the Caribbean is timing the weather window before departure. Fall on the East Coast is squeezed between late summer hurricane season and early winter gale season. By joining the 1500, you can rest assured that the ‘experts’ are there to take the pressure off of that decision. Our support team consists of professional ocean sailors working closely with our weather forecasters at WRI to ensure the fleet makes it across the Gulf Stream and into warmer waters in the best possible conditions.
What’s included:
Before you even get to the start, we help with your preparations by providing a comprehensive Rally Handbook and regular newsletters, and we’re here to help you find crew and answer your questions by phone or email.
From Time of Registration:
● Rally Handbook, including local info and ocean sailing tips
● Access to World Cruising Club’s extensive online resources for offshore sailing
At the start
● 2 free nights dockage
● Welcome Pack
● ARC Caribbean 1500 boat flag
● Safety equipment inspection
● Lecture program (Gulf Stream crossing, rigging, weather, provisioning, first aid)
● Safety demonstration (live flare and life raft demonstration)
● Comprehensive social program nightly
● Skippers’ Briefing
● Welcome Party
● Farewell Party
Spring Cove Marina offerings:
● 30 days or more boat dockage discount
● 50% off on short haul for bottom cleaning
● 10% off yard invoices
● Partnership with chandlery for discounted products
● Quantum Sails (5% discount through specific supplier)
● Free pump out at the slip
On passage at sea:
● Float plan filed with USCG and Virgin Islands Search & Rescue (VISAR)
● Position reporting
● Radio net
● Daily weather forecast sent by email
● Tracking of yachts, including loan of a satellite tracker
● Display of positions on ARC Caribbean 1500 event website
In Nanny Cay:
● Welcome on arrival
● Assistance with clearance
● Local tourist information
● Full social program nightly
● ARC Caribbean 1500 awards ceremony
● 2 days free docking at Nanny Cay on arrival
Caribbean 1500 - Update.
29/06/2022
World Cruising Club regret to announce that we are not able to run the ARC Caribbean 1500 rally this year (2022). Unfortunately, our US based partners are unable to help us run the rally this year, and without local support we cannot offer the quality event that people expect from a World Cruising Club rally.We are still running all our popular transatlantic routes, ARC and ARC Europe, and our...
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ARC Caribbean 1500 2021 - Open for Entries.
18/08/2021
Thinking of sailing south this autumn? Come and join the fleet as we head off towards the warmer climates of the Caribbean!North America's longest running sailing rally will start from the Chesapeake Bay at Spring Cove Marina, Solomons MD. The rally supports crews with their pre-departure preparations by holding a series of seminars and social activities before the start, allowing participants...
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Get Set for November 2021!.
30/07/2021
It has been a frustrating year for us all, stuck at home, unable to reach our boats and shut out from our favorite sailing destinations. But now we can announce that the '1500 is back, so get ready to sail south again this fall!World Cruising Club is committed to helping sailors get down island again this season - we might not know where just yet, but it will be warm and in the Caribbean...
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27/11/2018
Happy Heart - HAPPY HEART BEAT by CORINNE WESELOH
Well, we finally did it! After being deterred by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 followed by Florence and Michael in 2018, we tossed the lines to experience a passage that I could not have imagined.Our poor MS. Happy Heart has yet to receive her
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08/11/2018
Saga - Day 5-Sapphires
A friend of mine used to work in a national park in the Caribbean. Among other things, she was charged with making sure people didn't remove things from the park as souvenirs. No taking shells or coral home with you. So, when she saw a tourist with
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07/11/2018
Saga - Day 4 - Getting Our Sea Legs
Getting your sea legs truly is a real thing. Today is day 4 of our voyage and we finally all have our sea legs. I have always heard that the first three days of a passage are the worst, and it played out that way this time.Our first 2 days were
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