How to sail across the Atlantic

Sailing across the Atlantic is one of sailing’s biggest adventures. It takes crews some 2,700 miles or more from Europe to the Caribbean, into the tradewinds and involves several weeks at sea. How should you go about preparing your yacht, your crew and yourself for the challenge?

In our collection of articles, tips and surveys of crews, we give you the pick of expert advice and first hand experience from those who have sailed across the Atlantic, and take a look at our pick of on board videos to give you a taste of the adventure.

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Sail repairs on the fly – how to make essential fixes while at sea

  • March 8, 2016

During last year’s ARC I was to be found at one point on the pulpit restitching the foot tape of our headsail. I was clipped on a short tether with…

Dismasting, sinking, damage – ARC 2015, an event-filled rally

  • February 3, 2016

On the third night of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC 2015) a small Italian yacht in the racing division, with five Italian sailors on board, broached in a gust.…

Rudder failure – 1,500 miles to sail across the Atlantic without a rudder

  • December 23, 2015

Like most dinghy sailors, I used to have fun sailing my boat without a rudder. I learned a lot about the optimum set of the sails, heel and fore and…

21 best upgrades for ocean cruising – make life on board more comfortable

  • December 21, 2015

If you’re considering sailing to warmer waters, whether the Mediterranean, Caribbean or further afield, but are worried that life on board will be more akin to camping than the comfort…

ARC weather man Chris Tibbs prepares his boat for ocean cruising

  • December 9, 2015

When we bought our Wauquiez Centurion 40s, Taistealai, for ocean cruising, starting with the ARC this year, we had a number of criteria in mind, but first and foremost we…

Ocean-bound – experienced skippers offer their advice on ARC preparation

  • November 26, 2015

As this year marks the 30th running of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC), which Yachting World helped set up back in the 1980s, we are looking back at a…

Pets on board – how to go long-distance cruising with your dog or cat

  • November 2, 2015

Chester and Awa’s story is a boating bromance. It’s the touching tale of two inseparable buddies who met through sailing and cruised together on their boats. I met them at…

Taking the northerly route across the Atlantic; our meteorologist explains

  • October 21, 2015

In the 2012 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers the winning boats, the Class 40 Vaquita and the maxi Rán-Leopard, followed a similar route, which was suggested by routeing programs and made…

Storming the ARC – the fast way to cross the Atlantic in a cruising rally

  • October 9, 2015

Fish caught… 0 Freshly cooked meals …0 Books read …0 Sunbathing hours …0 Sundowners… 1 Vaquita was sailing so fast she sounded as if she were electrically charged. “We were…

‘Did you sail that thing here?’ – solo across the Atlantic in a Folkboat

  • October 2, 2015

It’s a funny thing, the further I sailed away from northern Europe, the more attention my boat attracted in marinas and anchorages. In Cornwall, people barely noticed the little Folkboat…

What should you keep in your grab bag or panic bag on a long voyage?

  • September 23, 2015

Panic bags, or grab bags if you prefer, are the collection of essentials that we all ardently hope will languish unused in a locker. Nonetheless, they are an essential part…

What downwind sails should you have for an Atlantic crossing?

  • September 15, 2015

What downwind sails should you buy for an Atlantic crossing or cruising beyond the Caribbean? This is one of the biggest questions skippers face when equipping a yacht for bluewater…

Gallery: What is it really like to sail across the Atlantic?

  • September 10, 2015

First: The experience of a family who crossed the Atlantic in a Hunter 410 with two young children… Yacht: Morning Haze – Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42i Skippers: Dave Hayes & Isabelle…

Thought you’d left the paperwork behind when going off cruising? How to cut the paper trail

  • September 9, 2015

For those who choose to escape the confines of conventional life and spend a few months, years or even the rest of our lives at sea there are many challenges…

Water on board: what should you carry? We ask ARC skippers for tips for an Atlantic crossing

  • August 17, 2015

Water is fundamental to every sailor’s survival at sea and one of our first priorities. To spend extended periods afloat, sailors need large water tanks, cratefuls of bottled water on…

Why sailing with friends is more fun, gives you more sleep, lower insurance and a chance to share costs

  • August 7, 2015

If you could reduce marina and car rental costs by 50 per cent, give yourself three or four hours more sleep per night on long passages, improve safety and pay…

Spice up your Caribbean season with our insider’s guide to where to go

  • June 28, 2015

Saint Lucia Most transatlantic rally sailors end their voyage at the excellent new Rodney Bay Marina before heading somewhere quieter for Christmas. The temptation is to move on from Saint…

The best route for an Atlantic crossing? It depends when you go

  • May 29, 2015

Weather is a large part of any Atlantic crossing: deciding when to go, which route to follow and the sails to carry. The main consideration is to avoid the hurricane…

What’s the right yacht for an Atlantic crossing? The one you’ve got now

  • May 20, 2015

Numerically, the most common yachts for an Atlantic crossing are ordinary production cruisers with standard kit, usually with upgrades of safety and power generation equipment. The happy truth is there’s…

16 expert tips on sailing across the Atlantic from the Caribbean to Europe

  • April 30, 2015

Heading the other way? Planning to sail to the Caribbean from Europe? Check out our ultimate guide on things to consider before you go… Sailing from Europe to the Caribbean…