Caribbean 1500
2017 Caribbean 1500 – No Ordinary Sailing Rally
First sailing event into post-hurricane Tortola made the Caribbean 1500 special for both the sailors and island hosts. But this year’s ARC Caribbean 1500 turned out to be much more of an adventure that many of the participating sailors could have imaged back in the summer as they made their plans and prepared their boats.
Read More2016: A Look Back
The year ended on a high note, as we opened the new outer marina after 17 months of construction. At a ceremony held at the entrance to the new outer marina on December 12, Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE, declared the marina officially open.
Read MoreThe 27th ARC Caribbean 1500 Wraps Up in Nanny Cay
For the third time in six years, the ARC Caribbean 1500 got off a day ahead of schedule (November 5) to take advantage of a promising weather window to get the fleet south. Once offshore, it was a fast, downwind passage for the majority of the fleet, with a classic late-fall weather pattern in place, and no activity in the tropics.
Yachts began arriving into Nanny Cay just over 7 days later, on Saturday November 12, with the Amel 54 Phantom first to finish. They were closely followed by the Dufour 56 Pure Elegance, and the Nordhavn 57 motor yacht Jura. Each night as yachts continued to arrive events were held on the beach at Nanny Cay, including several cocktail hours, a pizza party and a couple beach barbecues hosted by Peg Legs. Horizon Yacht Charters held a popular and informative seminar on cruising the BVI.
Read MoreThe 26th ARC Caribbean 1500 Wraps Up in Tortola
Fast passage and downwind sailing marks this year’s event, with all boats in to Nanny Cay now.
After a three-day weather delay thanks to late-season Hurricane Kate, and a fast passage at sea for most, the 2015 ARC Caribbean 1500 wrapped up in Tortola with the final prize giving on Monday, November 23, just in time for crews to get home for Thanksgiving.
Read More2014 – A Look Back
2014 – another busy year at Nanny Cay. It started with one of those “ahhh” moments when we rescued a baby turtle from the marina and was then followed by reality shows, regattas, cruising rallies, boat shows, Atlantic rowers, round Tortola records, awards, and a lot of hauling boats!
Read MoreCaribbean 1500 – long passage to Nanny Cay for some
After a one-day weather delay, and a long passage at sea for some, the 2014 Caribbean 1500 – a special 25th edition of the annual event – wrapped up in Tortola with the final prizegiving on Saturday, November 15 here at Nanny Cay.
Yachts began arriving into Nanny Cay late in the evening on November 10, with the 80′ carbon-fibre Falcon first to finish in just over 7 days. Nearly 24 hours passed before the next yachts arrived, with the Deerfoot 60 Crazy Horse – another World ARC veteran – narrowly edging out the Amel 54 Lone Star.
Read MoreCaribbean 1500 sets off for BVI and Nanny Cay
The saying goes “Never waste a fair wind” and for the second year running rally organisers World Cruising Club took the decision for the ARC Caribbean 1500 fleet to start their offshore sail to the British Virgin Islands and Nanny Cay a day ahead of schedule. On Saturday November 2, the rally left Portsmouth Virginia and the Chesapeake on a light northwesterly wind, broad-reaching into the Atlantic with several yachts flying spinnakers as they sailed on into the clear evening.
Read MoreLeg 2 of ARC Europe sets sail from Bermuda today
Sailing aboard the yacht, NYCTEA, Oscar seems to be asking “Are we there yet?”Leg 2 of ARC Europe sets sail from Bermuda today, with Portugal as their final destination. The yachts left the BVI on May 4 after a week of preparation at Nanny Cay, in a joint start with the Atlantic Cup.
Read MoreCaribbean 1500 2012 is a Wrap…Almost!
Preparing for the Caribbean 1500 Awards Ceremony on the beachThe 2012 Caribbean 1500 – the 23rd edition of the annual event – is all but wrapped up in Tortola. Rally staff departed the island late last week along with several participants who are headed home for the Thanksgiving holidays.
One boat – the Tayana 37 Miramar – remains at sea after departing one week after the main fleet thanks to a few last-minute repairs. At the last position report at 1600 on Wednesday, November 21, Miramar was still 191.8 nautical miles from Tortola.
Read MoreCaribbean 1500 2012 Update
Andy Schell of World Cruising catches Altair’s linesThe Caribbean 1500 fleet has been arriving this week and only two boats are left at sea. While Moonshadow and Coulicou were closing in on Tortola this morning, rally participants in Nanny Cay were given an in-depth seminar about cruising the BVI with Henry from Horizon Yachts Charters. The Horizon “Chart Room” here at Nanny Cay is filled with photos and charts of the best anchorages, bars, restaurants and hot spots in the BVI, and Henry let everyone in on his secrets.
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