1 Jun 2012

[Captains Blog] Preparations are well under way for the ARC

Preparations are well under way for the ARC. We have a full crew complement, and have installed most of the equipment that we need for the crossing, which includes a second chart plotter at the helm, radar switched to the helm where we need it most in fog, AIS (automatic identification system), tricolour light at the masthead with LED bulbs, LED infra red night lights in the saloon (LED lamps use very little power), a state-of-the-art wind generator to keep the batteries topped up, 80 metres of galvanised anchor chain to keep us safe at anchor, a de-salinator water maker that produces 30 litres of fresh drinking water per hour from seawater, and a whole host of safety gear to rely upon in case of emergency. What this boat doesn't have is not worth having! We reckon we have one of the best equipped sailing craft in the UK, and we are very proud of her.

D-day for leg one (La Coruna, Northern Spain) is planned for 3rd September (weather permitting), so we should be across Biscay in the (hopefully) good weather, and from then onwards we will be into the warm(er) climates with the added benefit of the Portugal and Canary currents helping us down towards Madeira and the Canaries.