ARC Rally 2026
£6,999 | 19 November – 13 December 2026
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Race across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands to St Lucia as crew on a professionally run Challenger 72. The ARC combines serious offshore sailing with the support and atmosphere of the world’s most famous ocean rally.
- Sail the Atlantic with the ARC — Canary Islands to Caribbean
- Challenger 72 ocean-proven racing yacht
- Professional skipper, mate and watch leaders
- Around 2,700 nautical miles logged
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Fantastic crossing
I have just completed the ARC. We had a really fantastic crossing and I enjoyed it enormously. The crew were great, the watchleaders were great but in particular, the skipper and mate, Ricky and Kirstie, I cannot praise highly enough. We all felt in safe hands and were really encouraged to get involved. I learned masses and overcame the anxieties I had at the beginning of the voyage. Many thanks.
Clive Morgan
Verified Customer
Sail across the Atlantic from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands to St Lucia in the Caribbean as part of the ARC Rally 2026 — the world’s best-known transatlantic sailing rally.
First launched in 1986, the ARC was created to offer a safer, social way for yachts to cross the Atlantic together. Over the years it has grown into a highly organised offshore event attracting more than 200 yachts annually, from cruising boats to powerful racing machines.
First Class Sailing is entering a Challenger 72 into the ARC Rally 2026, with up to 12 crew places available. This will be the sixth time we have taken a Challenger 72 across the Atlantic as part of the ARC.
It’s a unique chance to build serious ocean miles, develop offshore skills, and experience life at sea while being part of a global sailing event that finishes in the heart of the Caribbean.
5.0 based on 496 Happy Customers on Tripadvisor
RYA-certified sailing courses
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Check out our podcasts
Listen on Spotify as RNLI crew member Rebecca Miller talks to Ceri about taking part on the 2019 ARC yacht race and how in the middle of a night watch she was visited by a butterfly, whilst whales played in the wake of their 72ft craft.
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Why sail the ARC Rally 2026 with First Class Sailing?
A legendary ocean yacht: The Challenger 72 is built for serious offshore sailing. These yachts have raced around the world twice upwind, completed multiple Atlantic crossings, and taken part in ARC rallies and Fastnet Races for decades.
The ARC safety and support network: Crossing an ocean is a major adventure, but the ARC provides daily check-ins, safety oversight, and the reassurance of hundreds of yachts making the crossing together — all within a highly social rally atmosphere.
Professional crew leadership: On board will be a highly experienced skipper and mate supported by watch leaders, all with extensive ocean miles and deep knowledge of the Challenger 72 platform.
Key ARC Rally 2026 details
Here’s a snapshot of what to expect on this Atlantic crossing adventure.
Required Experience
- Competent Crew (or equivalent)
- Previous sailing experience recommended
- Training weekend included
- Offshore enthusiasm essential
Duration & dates
- Training weekend: 3/4 October 2026 (Portsmouth)
- Join yacht: 19 November 2026
- ARC start: 22 November 2026
- Finish in St Lucia: 13 December 2026
Mileage
- Around 2,700 nautical miles
- Serious offshore logbook miles
- Continuous ocean sailing experience
Building Confidence
- Watch systems & teamwork
- Spinnaker handling
- Ocean seamanship
- Offshore confidence
Book on to the ARC Rally 2026 In 3 Easy Steps
Booking on to the ARC is an easy and straight forward process
Check availability and reserve a berth
Book online or by phone. Pay in full or start with a £2,000 deposit, followed by two further payments.
Complete the onboarding form
Sailing experience and medical info are reviewed so insurance can be arranged. Early completion helps ensure cover is in place.
Join the training weekend, then sail the ARC
A UK weekend out of Portsmouth to meet the crew, learn about the boat, and get ready for the Atlantic.
ARC Rally 2026 – What to Expect on Your Atlantic Crossing
What sailing the ARC Rally 2026 feels like
Arriving in Las Palmas ahead of the ARC Rally 2026 is an experience in itself. The marina fills with yachts from around the world, flags flying from every mast, and a real buzz builds as start day approaches. There are safety briefings, sailing seminars, equipment checks and social events organised by the rally team.
Once at sea, life quickly settles into an ocean rhythm. Watches rotate day and night, sails are trimmed as the trade winds build, and the miles begin to roll beneath the keel. Expect vast horizons, deep blue water, sunrises, sunsets, dolphins and the occasional whale.
As the Caribbean draws closer the air grows warmer, excitement builds, and the finish in St Lucia delivers a welcome few sailors ever forget.
Who the ARC Rally 2026 is ideal for
Previous racing experience isn’t essential, but some sailing experience is needed. Crew should be healthy, reasonably fit, and keen to be part of a close-knit team.
Life onboard is hands-on. Everyone takes part in sail handling, watches, cooking and cleaning as part of daily routines at sea. Offshore sailing can be physically demanding at times, but it’s hugely rewarding.
In return, you’ll finish the ARC Rally 2026 with a major personal achievement, around 2,700 nautical miles logged, new offshore skills, and friendships that often last long after the crossing ends.
Read ARC Rally crew stories and Atlantic crossing experiences to see what past sailors have shared about the journey.
The Challenger 72 yacht – built for Atlantic crossings
The Challenger 72 is a proven ocean racing yacht designed for extreme offshore conditions. Built from steel, 72ft long and weighing around 48 tonnes, she offers exceptional strength, stability and safety for long ocean passages like the ARC Rally 2026. She is equipped to a standard beyond that required by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the race organisers.
These yachts have raced around the world twice upwind, completed countless Atlantic crossings and competed in events such as the Fastnet Race and previous ARC rallies. They are tough, reliable and perfectly suited to serious offshore sailing.
Below deck you’ll find a spacious saloon, a well-equipped galley, two heads with showers and comfortable bunks arranged in sleeping compartments. On deck everything is hands-on, making teamwork a big part of the adventure and the learning experience.
Training weekend and key ARC Rally 2026 dates
Before the Atlantic crossing begins, all crew join a UK-based training weekend in Portsmouth. This gives time to get familiar with the Challenger 72, practise manoeuvres, learn some safety procedures and meet the skipper and fellow crew.
You will then arrive in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria on 19 November 2026 for preparation days before the ARC start on 22 November. Final checks, provisioning and briefings take place during this period.
The Atlantic crossing typically takes between 14 and 21 days, with arrival in St Lucia around mid-December. You’ll finish the rally with over 2,700 nautical miles of true ocean sailing experience logged.
Key Dates
- 3/4 October - Training weekend. Portsmouth.
- 19 November - Arrive at yacht in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Island in the Canaries
- 22 November - ARC 2026 to St Lucia starts
- 13 December - Depart yacht in St Lucia
- 16-22 December - Optional extra - cruise from St Lucia to Grenada
Caribbean Cruising and Atlantic Circuit
After completing the ARC Rally 2026, there is the opportunity to continue sailing and explore the Caribbean on two island-hopping cruises.
Island hop from St Lucia to Grenada via St Vincent & the Grenadines (16–22 December 2026) offers relaxed Caribbean cruising through some of the region’s most beautiful anchorages.
Island hop from Grenada to Antigua via St Vincent & the Grenadines (3–12 January 2027) continues the adventure north through classic Caribbean sailing grounds.
Full itineraries and availability can be found on our Caribbean island-hopping sailing holidays after the ARC Rally.
The wider Atlantic circuit
The ARC and Caribbean cruising legs form part of a larger Atlantic circuit, allowing sailors to experience multiple major offshore passages.
There is the opportunity to join the UK to Canary Islands Atlantic sailing passage in October 2026, building miles before the ARC start.
After the Caribbean season, crew places are available on the return Atlantic crossing from Antigua to Portsmouth in January 2027.
Together, these voyages create a complete Atlantic sailing circuit covering thousands of offshore miles.
Price and travel planning
The price is £6999.
This can be paid in full or in three instalments. To discuss payment plans please contact the office
- Deposit of 25% at time of booking
- Interim payment of 40%
- Balance: 35%
Included within the price...
- All food on board
- Mooring fees
- Custom entry fees and insurance*
- Foul weather gear
Not included
- Travel to and from the yacht
Travel
Flights to Gran Canaria and back from St Lucia will need to be arranged separately and are not included in the price. We suggest you book a flexible flight for your return in the unlikely event changes are needed. There are plenty of flights offered by a number of airlines to Las Palmas from the UK. Coming back from St Lucia to the UK, BA and Virgin, are the main operators however others are available.
We're Here To Help!
If you have any questions about these adventures, or queries about travel arrangements, please use email us at info@firstclasssailing or call the office on 023 8001 1077 and we'll get back to you as soon as possible, if not sooner!
*Insurance will normally be provided FOC however excesses may be required in rare circumstances following submission of details to the brokers.
So what is sailing the ARC actually like? Read stories from our previous ARC Rallies here.
What Sailors Say About Us
5.0 based on 601 Happy Customers On Tripadvisor 
5.0 based on 356 Happy Customers On Google ReviewsAwe Inspiring
The ARC was a wonderful experience. The crew were superb, a blend of strength, expertise, kindness and inspiration. I feel we were very lucky to have had four such competent people keeping us safe. I learnt a lot about sailing, but also the importance of team work in close quarters, the ability to push myself and to help others when needed. If you’re thinking about this type of trip then first class sailing can make it happen for you - a very professional but fun company who I will sail with again.
Rebecca
Verified Customer
Safe
Over the past decade, I have attended several different sailing schools for various reasons. I was directed to First Class Sailing from Rubicon 3, a Sailing Adventure company. I sailed with First Class Sailing on a Yachtmaster Offshore prep and exam. It was tough, but also very rewarding, as it helped prepare me for the examination. The prep skipper (Jamie) at FCS was very strict but also patient, very skilled and knowledgeable. The Examiner was fair and knew his craft inside and out.
First Class Sailing was not my first sailing school, but it will always be my first choice when seeking my next training opportunity to become a safe and skilled sailor.
Marty S
Verified Customer
Sailing a Ch72 is an experience hard to find elsewhere
I spent a month on board [sailing in Norway...].
This trip was a perfect detox from routine life. Sailing on the Challenger yachts is an experience that is hard to find elsewhere, and the Skipper, Mate and Watch Leaders were immensely experienced - experienced and novice passengers were involved in all aspects of running of the boat - a fantastic learning environment.
I met so many lovely and fascinating people on this trip - on all 3 legs of the voyage - and the gentle pace of the trip allows you to get to know both your fellow passengers and the country to a much deeper level than a normal holiday.
The administrative aspects of the trip were all very professionally handled by First Class, with clear information prior to the trip with kit lists, details of space available, and a clear explanation of the expectations on board.
I enjoyed the trip so much that as soon as I returned I signed up for the Round the Island Race on another Challenger yacht with First Class and had an equally fun, although very different, trip.
Nick S
Verified Customer
Not Sure Where to Start?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Need more info? Look no further.
Ready for the ARC Rally 2026?
This is your chance to cross the Atlantic and arrive in the Caribbean as part of one of sailing’s greatest adventures.
- Proven ocean racing yacht
- Support of the ARC rally fleet
- Professional skipper and crew
- Miles, skills and memories for life
Ch72 yachts are extremely seaworthy
The course was very well paced and the balance between practical hands on practice and visual learning was very effective. All of this made even more enjoyable by our instructor who was extremely helpful (and patient) as we worked through the more complicated elements. I have sailed and trained with First Class Sailing many times from Day Skipper to Yacht Master and sailed safely through Hurricane Pablo on a Challenger 72! Even though I now live in Scotland I will be sticking with the First Class Team as I progress to Ocean Master and my goal to be an RYA Trainer.
ITs-PG
Verified Customer
Ready for the ARC Rally 2026?
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