Tag: långsegling

Mon Ami on land in Grenada

Mon Ami on land in Grenada

matswarn

The first days in January 2019 we enter into Spice Island Marina on Grenada to lift up Mon Ami on land until we come back in December. It’s a bit emotional and a lot of things to take care about to leave your boat for almost a year on land.

Sails down for repair and storage.
Take down the Vang for bracket repair.

Replace the Goose-neck that connect the main boom to the mast and replace washers.
We need to fold down the stainless steel poles that holds the wind turbine, solar panels and antennas to lift Mon Ami of Sweden
Spice Island Marina on Grenada have a 70 ton Travelift suitable for the 30 ton heavy Mon Ami.

Moisture, humidity and mold is a major concern. We use 8 dehumidifier with crystals.
All cousins is lift up for ventilation.
The marina assist to refill the dehumidifier crystals every month.

Electric cables that is connected directly to the batteries are disconnected.
Electric dehumidifier take out the worst moist but is then shut off as we do not have shore power.
All food is stored in triple plastic bags to avoid cockroaches and other bugs.
Björns parents Anne and Pär Johanson meet us on Arlanda to congratulate to our adventure!
Mon Ami of Sweden on land in Spice Island Marina from Jan to Dec 2019. / Mats & Louise Warnqvist
We are crossing the Atlantic with ARC+!!!

We are crossing the Atlantic with ARC+!!!

matswarn

In November we will attend the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, ARC+ via Cape Verde to Saint Lucia in the Caribbean, with Mon Ami of Sweden.

ARC is arranged by World Cruising Club and this year is the 33rd year of the race. 300 boats is attending with totally approximately 1500 crew members onboard.

ARC logo segling över atlanten

On Mon Ami will Mats and Louise be joined by our daughter Sara and her newly married (25 Aug-2018) husband Bjorn. The 3 weeks Atlantic crossing will be their honeymoon. Together with parents in law(!) We think its very positive.

It makes a big difference to be four crew onboard instead of only two with night watch, sleep and to be able to fix problems onboard. Sara and Bjorn is perfect crew as they are medical doctor and military combat diver. – But I think we will need some more food!

ARC path over the atlantic
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to Rodney Bay Marina, Saint Lucia, via Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde.
Approximately 850 + 2150 nautical miles or one week + two weeks for a normal cruising boat.
Crossing the Atlantic from the Canaries to Saint Lucia via Cape Verde enables boats make the most of the north east trade winds.The Cape Verde islands are ideally placed for boats to sail south into seasonal winds; their latitude at 16º50’N is right in the path of the trade winds, promising a great sail for the passage to Saint Lucia.

ARC+ 2018 Itinerary

Date Details for ARC+ Cape Verdes
01 Nov  Rally office opens in Las Palmas
04 Nov  Last date for arrivals in Las Palmas
11 Nov Start of Gran Canaria – Sao Vicente leg (865nm)
16-18 Nov Arrival in Mindelo, Sao Vicente (Marina Mindelo)
21 Nov Start of Sao Vicente – Saint Lucia leg (2090nm)
3-8 Dec Arrival in Saint Lucia (Rodney Bay Marina)
11 Dec ARC+ finish line closes
12 Dec Prize giving ceremony in Saint Lucia

Every boat is welcomed to Rodney Bay Marina with rum punches, fresh fruit and chilled beer.  No matter what time of day or night, the welcome party will be ready for you!

Sample ARC+ Activities in Saint Lucia
  • Saint Lucia Tourism Authority welcome party
  • Anse La Raye Fish Fry
  • Familiarisation Tours
  • ARC lectures – Caribbean cooking and Caribbean cruising
  • ARC+ prize giving ceremony