The History of the ARC

The first ARC set sail from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 25 November 1986, with 209 yachts flying the ensigns of 24 nations. The event was envisaged as a friendly and supportive way to cross the Atlantic, focusing on ‘ordinary’ boat owners rather than ocean racers and professionals.

Every November since then, a diverse fleet of yachts has set sail from Las Palmas to the Caribbean. Initially, the destination was Barbados, but this changed to Rodney Bay Marina in Saint Lucia in 1990, and we've been sailing there ever since.

A Diverse Fleet

From the very first ARC, the boats and sailors taking part have come in all shapes and sizes. While multihull numbers have increased to nearly a third of the fleet, catamarans and trimarans have always been present in the rally. 

People often say that the average size of yachts has increased significantly over the years, but the numbers have always fluctuated. In the first rally, the smallest boat was Raggles, at just 22 feet length overall - the minimum length is now 27 feet (8.23m). The ‘average’ ARC or ARC+ yacht these days is around 45 feet (13.7m).  With production builders making larger, seaworthy yachts, there are more affordable new and brokerage options available.

ARC sailors are as diverse as their boats. In 2024, passport holders from 42 countries took part, making the flag parade at the opening ceremony a true spectacle.  As well as sailors from all nations, all ages take part too, from babies in nappies to sailors and skippers still going strong in their 80s.

ARC Racing Division and Records

While the focus of the ARC is a friendly cruising rally, there has always been an element of fun competition - as the saying goes, ‘two yachts sailing in the same direction is a race, even if the other boat doesn’t know'!

The IRC Racing Division started in 1989, attracting skippers and sailors wanting to cross the Atlantic for the winter Caribbean racing season. Yachts in the Racing Division can't use their engines for propulsion, and must abide by the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations - Category 1 as well as World Cruising Club safety equipment requirements. 

Some amazing yachts have sailed in the Racing Division, most notably in 2016 when George David's 27m maxi Rambler 88 set the ARC crossing record of just 8 days, 6 hours, 29 minutes and 15 seconds to sail the 2700NM from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia.