Sail across the Atlantic
Come along on a dream trip across the Atlantic
Do you dare take the leap?
The adventure of a lifetime
Sailing across the Atlantic is a nerve-wracking adventure which many dream of, but not everyone manages to make the journey over to the Caribbean a reality. With More Sailing, we can make it happen! Every year we sail across the Atlantic with experienced crews, well-equipped boats and a place in the well-known Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. Join us on a memorable journey where adventure, camaraderie and experiences are at the top of the list.
Included in every trip
Make your dreams come true
Sail across the Atlantic with a skipper
Take the chance to realise your dreams and sail across the Atlantic, together with us here at More Sailing. For over ten years, we have sailed many boats annually from Las Palmas in Gran Canaria to Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. We offer a worry-free and safe way to make this adventure a reality with like-minded people.
When you sail with us, experienced onboard staff will take care of all the planning and preparation before making the crossing. You will quickly become part of the crew and the community on board; meanwhile, you will be spared the responsibility of having an entire crew, and you’ll be able to sail across the Atlantic without needing your own boat. Book a single berth, or go for the entire boat if you’re in a larger group.
Why More Sailing?
Five weeks of adventure
Sailing across the Atlantic – what’s it going to be like?
The whole adventure will take five weeks in total from when you land in Las Palmas to your journey back from the Caribbean. During that time, sailing will be punctuated with festivities, lectures and practical training. Make a new group of friends and form lifelong memories.
This includes:
The boats we sail across the Atlantic
A Modern Aura 51
Sailing across the Atlantic on a 50-foot catamaran. Aura 51 is one of the largest sailing catamarans in the Fountaine Pajot line and it is designed for those who truly want to feel the wind. But the sailing boat also has a large sundeck, making it the perfect choice for fusing adventure with relaxation.
Number of guests
10 guests and 3 crew members.
Highlights
Large sundeck that needs to be seen to be believed.
For a safer crossing
Taking part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers
We take part in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) – an amicable sailing race or squadron sailing across the Atlantic for both family sailors and seasoned sailors who want to cross the Atlantic in a safer way. Every year, between 200 and 300 boats take part in the ARC, which sets off from Gran Canaria at the end of November. The boats then reunite on the other side of the Atlantic, on the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean.
The ARC is held by the World Cruising Club which organises several different sailing events around the world. All boats that are to take part in their event must meet the World Cruising Club’s safety restrictions and must undergo an inspection by one of their representatives before it begins.
Sailing across the Atlantic as part of such a large group of boats creates a strong sense of camaraderie and safety and allows people to fulfil their dreams of a longer sea voyage. In case any of the boats get damaged or are in need of aid during the crossing, there are many helping hands.
Your questions answered
How long does it take to sail across the Atlantic?
It’s hard to say how long it takes to sail across the Atlantic. This is perhaps part of the excitement of this Atlantic adventure. The variation in crossing time is partly due to weather conditions, which differ from year to year. The length of the crossing is also dependent on the aims and experience of the crew on board. However, you can expect the whole adventure to take around five weeks.
Approximately one week is spent in Las Palmas to prepare for the crossing, and you’ll have accommodation on board the boat for five weeks from the day of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) launch in Las Palmas. The crossing usually takes two to three weeks. Everybody should be in Las Palmas one week before the ARC starts. Accommodation on board the boat is provided.
How much does it cost to sail across the Atlantic?
The whole experience costs 85,000 SEK (approximately £6,720) excluding flights, transfers and food during the trip.
The boat’s kitty
All participants on board contribute money to the boat’s kitty. This money covers expenses for food and household items. Contributions to the kitty are usually around €300 (approximately £260) per person. Skippers are excluded from the kitty.
What is required of participants to sail across the Atlantic?
As a participant you need to have extensive prior sailing experience so you have an idea of what a longer sailing trip entails. As everyone on board must participate in all activities, from sailing to food preparation, you must have good sailing knowledge. It is also important to be physically fit since this is a demanding sailing trip. There is a qualified skipper and assistant skipper on board who will go through the boat and the technical aspects so that everyone feels confident about operating the boat. Finally, it is important that you are open-minded as you will be living in close quarters with other people from different backgrounds for several weeks.
Is there safety equipment on board?
For the boat to be able to participate in ARC, it must meet the requirements set by the World Cruising Club. The skipper is responsible for the boat meeting these requirements.
Personal safety equipment
The participant is responsible for having their own personal safety equipment. The participant must have a personal life jacket which must be equipped with:
Leg strap
Spray hood
Safety line with safety carabiners at both ends, 3 hooks
Reflectors
Whistle
Light
The participant’s name and the name of the boat
Spare rearming kit with CO2 cartridge
A technical piece of equipment that participants can purchase themselves is a personal locator device. There are two kinds of personal transmitters: Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) which transmit via satellite, and Man Overboard (MOB) devices which transmit via AIS/radar. This type of equipment is not a requirement, but is recommended. It is also good to have a knife or multi-tool on your life jacket. A small torch and a head torch with a red light are also recommended.
What happens if I get seasick?
Seasickness can affect anyone, even the most experienced. Be sure to bring your own supply of seasickness medication. There are many different types of medication, tablets of various strengths, patches, chewing gum and wristbands which can alleviate seasickness.
It is worth emphasising that seasickness is not a symptom in itself but the result of several different factors. The most common factors are dehydration, lack of energy and disturbed sleep. Therefore, it is worth bringing some oral rehydration treatment. No need to worry about food as that is all provided onboard. A few packets of glucose may be helpful. Earplugs and an eye mask are recommended for sleep.
What should I pack for sailing across the Atlantic?
When sailing across the Atlantic you should be prepared for wide variations in temperature. At the start of the trip, the temperature is around 20°C during the day and 15°C at night. Add in the fact that the winds tend to be quite strong. All these factors mean it feels much colder than it actually is. Bring clothes suitable for temperatures as low as 5-10°C.
As we sail south the temperature climbs. Soon swimwear will feel most appropriate. A pair of shoes with light-coloured soles and sandals are recommended. Boots can also be useful if you are able to bring them.
We recommend a cap to protect your head from the strong sun. During cooler evenings you might prefer a woolly hat. Your hands will work hard when sailing the Atlantic so a pair of comfortable sailing gloves is recommended. Don’t forget that the sun is very intense at sea and you can easily get sunburnt. You should therefore have high factor sunscreen. We also recommend a pair of polarising sunglasses as there is a lot of glare at sea. Please bring two pairs as losing your only pair of sunglasses would be frustrating.
What if I have allergies or dietary requirements?
Everyone is welcome regardless of dietary requirements. You and the crew will shop and plan meals together during the trip, which means you can adjust the food to your needs.
What about insurance and cancellation if something happens?
You can find more information about insurance and what happens in the event of cancellation in our travel terms and conditions.
How many people can take part in a sailing trip across the Atlantic?
The Aura 51 that we sail with can accommodate 10 guests and three crew members.
