For Families and Friends. FAQs

Here is our FAQs page.  We will continue to update this page.

Use this post to also communicate with each other.

Follow Sea Dog online:

https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SeaDog/

Follow the Arc Europe 2023 boats online: 

  Satellite trackers are fitted to the boats and regular position reports will automatically be displayed on the “Fleet Viewer” on the World Cruising Rally website: www.worldcruising.com. 

  The fleet viewer is located on the upper left side of the website. It provides an overview of location, daily distance sailed and distance to the next port. 

Quick Access: https://www.worldcruising.com/arc_europe/arc_europe/eventfleetviewer.aspx

Rally Facebook Page:

www.facebook.com/arceurope 

Friends and family can post messages and ask each other questions on the rally Facebook pages. These are kept up-to-date with the latest photos and news from the rally. 

Satellite Phone: Given upon request. Please try using WhatsApp for chat, call and videocall. John 510.589.9038  Michele 510.325.3662

Starlink: 

We have Starlink which provides reasonable internet service while sailing. This means our cellphones work, calls are a bit sketchy (drop in and out) while texting seems pretty solid.

This also means the WhatsApp can be used to perform internet based calling. You will need to install WhatsApp on your mobile device.

Important Dates:

May 17, 2023 Departing Bermuda to Horta, Faial, Azores 1800 NM

June 11, 2023 Departing Azores for Marina de Lagos, Portugal 820 NM

June 18, 2023 Rally ends in Lagos.

Where are you going once you get there?

   We do not have definite plans yet.  Our route will be influenced by:

1) Information we learn from the other people we will be meeting on the rally, many who are from Europe.  Our past experience has taught us that talking to folks from the area is the best way to get the inside scoop,  beyond what you can learn from guidebooks.

2) Avoiding the “hot spots” as far as crowds and temperature goes.

3) Managing the 90 day visitation limit set by Schengen.  If you want more info on this zone:

https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/schengen-visa-countries-list/

Active Topic List with Plans

The following is from our team meeting.  Please let me know if I missed something or if I missed the point of the question.

What division are we entering?

 Crusing which is the fun and friendly competitive group.

Deviation card

  See dog has been swung and there is a deviation card on board. However that card is from when we first bought the boat and there have been changes made.  We have not made this an annual event like many articles suggest.

THE PLAN: swing the boat and update the deviation card.  We have a handheld compass onboard to help and will look for a spot to do it.

https://www.pbo.co.uk/expert-advice/how-to-swing-a-compass-17845

Staysail

  One has been installed and it is not self tacking.

Boom Furler Failure

  Our system is not hydraulic, it works with our electrical winch but can be hoisted manually in the cockpit or at the mast.

Storm Sails

Storm Jib 

  We have one that hanks on.

THE PLAN: not need it.

Storm Main Sail

  We have one that runs on an independent track on the mast and does not involve the boom for set up.  It is a great shade of “please find me orange”.

THE PLAN:  Have crew play with installing once we are all onboard.

Boom Preventer

  We have set up a boom preventer system that we got from Attainable Adventure Cruising - great reference site at morganscloud.com.

https://youtu.be/4KPk5JMvkJU

  THE PLAN: have written instructions on hand.

  

Emergency Rudder

  In the event of sliding backwards down a fifty foot wave (thanks Keith for the visual)

I have started research on commercial emergency rudder kits and self made systems.

THE PLAN: 

  What is clear is to have something built ready to go versus the non-plan of improvising if it happens.  I liked this article:

https://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/know-how-rigging-emergency-rudders

I have started to contact some of the products available.

One suggested product category that I do not think will work for Sea Dog is the use of a drogue.  In spite of how many people suggest this, on closer inspection I do not think it will be logical.  Given how slow it will cause a boat to go.  So for now I am moving forward on an emergency rudder system that is a true to an actual rudder replacement as possible.  

All suggestions, leads, are appreciated!

Communications

  We have an Iridium Go and a SSB onboard, besides the typical VHF both installed and handheld.  Unfortunately the SSB does not have DSC.

We are looking into Starlink but it will not be considered part of our reliable communication appliances.

Bow thruster battery

  Can be used as an back-up to the engine start battery.

THE PLAN: We have jumper cables onboard if needed.

Spare halyards:

  THE PLAN: We have the topping lift that can back up the main.  And upon Keith’s suggestion will look into a second spare.  Great question for the rigger we will meet with in Annapolis.

Broken Stay

THE PLAN: I did not have a plan but we will now “carry aboard 200ft of emergency spectra” nothing over 12mm.

Dates of the 2023 ARC Europe. Let’s try this again, shall we?

  There is nothing like a global pandemic to teach you that all plans are tentative.  Yet here we are with another go at it.  

Leg 1: NJ to Annapolis, Maryland.  Departure: April 1, arriving April 5/7.

Leg 2: Virginia to Bermuda.  Departure:  May 1/2 arriving May 6/7.

Leg 3: Bermuda to Horta, Faial Azores.   Departure: May 17. 

Leg 4:  Azores Cruise with the rally.  June 3 through 10.

Leg 3a: Azores to Marina de Lagos, Portugal.  Departure: June 11.

Rally ends in Lagos, Portugal June 18th with Social Event and Ceremony.