DOUBLETON - First impressions of the ARC Plus

After weeks of building anticipation, finally the day arrives. Today is the first day of our participation with the ARC + Rally, though for Doubleton, merely a continuation of an adventure that began in Mallorca many weeks ago. Our exit from the Harbor began with a long blow from our foghorn and a triumphant piece from the composer Richard Wagner; The Ride of the Valkyries. It was a welcome sight to see the ARC-team and all the spectators cheer us on as we left the Harbor. The crew was eager to be at the front of the fleet when the horn blasts at 13:45, which also marked the beginning of a 866nm passage. The harbor entrance was congested with every type of ocean going vessel; commercial cargo ships, passenger ferries, the 75 odd boats participating in the ARC-Plus 2021 Rally and the seascape was speckled with a fleet of Optimist boats.
We were pleased with our positioning as only a minute had passed when we crossed the start line. Inspired by the rally fever, we focused forward as we watched the fleet disperse relatively fast over the Atlantic.


By late afternoon the crew has found their groove and our Watch sequence has begun. Winds out of the NE have accelerated to 5-6 Bft. even pushing the boundaries on 7, coupled with rising seas, we all knew that this was the beginning of a demanding next 48 hours.
At dusk we were left with a sliver of a moon and a diminishing horizon.


In every direction we could see the running lights of sailing vessels, knowing all well they too were seeking the 225° course as we, the most direct line between two points; our mutual destination.
19:30 we were hit by a gust of over 40 kn. It was pitch black and the movement of seas animated our every interpretation.

The excitement grows as we continue forward and the whole crew is anticipating a experience of a lifetime.