Taking part in a trans-oceanic rally is definitely a safer way to go about your ocean crossing, but don’t let yourself simply become a follow says Nikki Henderson \u2018When we talk about high
\nspeed we\u2019re looking through
\nthe lens of an ocean sailor,
\nnot a home user\u2019. Photo: Rick Tomlinson \/ Oyster World RallyFifteen days ago, as I write this from the paradisical shores of French Polynesia, we weighed anchor in the Galapagos aboard Awen, an Outremer 52 and set sail on a 3,200-mile Pacific Crossing. What awaited us was the most awe-inspiring landfall I\u2019ve ever experienced in all my years at sea.
\nAt sunrise, Fatu Hiva appeared ahead, jagged volcanic peaks piercing the clouds. By late morning, we\u2019d dropped the A2 and main and motored toward the tiny village of Hana Vave. All four of us were moved to tears. Earning entry into the Marquesas by sail had been a lifetime dream. The reality exceeded it.
\nWe dropped the hook in 30m of dark, clear water and looked around, jaws dropped. Manta Rays glided around the hull. Prehistoric-looking birds circled overhead. Behind them rose an amphitheatre of basalt towers framing a deep green valley. It was a maximalist\u2019s heaven. Of all the extraordinary places I\u2019ve sailed, the Baia des Vierges was the most breathtaking I\u2019ve ever seen.
\nCoincidentally, our route had coincided with around 30 other Outremers taking part in the three-year Grand Large Yachting World Odyssey. And yet not one of them stopped. Their official finish line was 150 miles further downwind in Nuku Hiva and it struck me how unlikely it was that they\u2019d bash back upwind to experience what we were seeing.
\nAfter all that effort \u2013 the Panama Canal, the Pacific Crossing \u2013 they may miss one of the highlights of the voyage just because it wasn\u2019t on the rally route.
\nThis reinforced something I\u2019d been feeling all passage: organised rallies offer huge benefits but only if you join them with your eyes open.
\nI know rallies well and I\u2019m fond of them. The ARC was where my ocean sailing career began. Then, despite being in the racing division, I was so green that just getting across felt an enormous achievement and I rarely paid attention to the fleet.
\nEvents like GLYWO or the Oyster World Rally are designed around safety, convenience and community. They remove the logistic pain \u2013 weather routing, customs, canal transits, itineraries, social events. In doing so, they make ocean cruising more accessible. Which is brilliant.
\nBut I was also reminded that no amount of support or community replaces independent thinking.
\nThe first thing I noticed was how quickly comparison creeps in. Even in light airs under engine, it was easy to wonder why one boat was moving faster. And then sneak on a few extra rpm and abandon your fuel management plan to keep up.
\nIt can be easy to miss a potentially beautiful landfall. Photo: Nigel Spiers \/ Alamy
\nWhen the trades filled in, so did the competitive instinct. Sails were ripping and crews pushed harder than their experience or appetite for discomfort justified. Why? To keep up! Some was undoubtedly bad luck. But I suspect a little ego played a role too. Pride never steers you well at sea. Sail alone and this is rarely an issue.
\nThe second trap was attention. Ocean sailing offers something deeply special in our fast-paced world. The opportunity to slow down, to observe the present moment.
\nBut put 30 near-identical boats around you and your attention shifts outward. Who\u2019s faster? Who\u2019s gybed? I can\u2019t count the number of poor decisions I\u2019ve made in racing because I was too focused on what everyone else was doing. Despite that, even we \u2013 who weren\u2019t part of the Outremer fleet on the rally \u2013 found ourselves looking at AIS more than necessary.
\nBefore you know it, the emotional yo-yo begins where the mood on board rises and falls with your position in the fleet. It\u2019s exhausting. It kills morale. And it leads you away from the bigger picture \u2013 this is supposed to be the dream!
\nAnd there\u2019s the pack mentality. There is safety in numbers, but there is a danger in assuming everyone else knows better. They might. Or maybe they have different weather, different crew, different priorities and different problems. Seamanship is making the right decision for your boat and crew. Participating in a rally definitely exaggerates this test to focus inward.
\nBeyond safety, there\u2019s also the quality of the experience itself. Thirty boats sailed straight past one of the most magical places on earth because the itinerary said so. They wouldn\u2019t have been fired from the rally! Sailors have always been independent souls. If there were one piece of advice I\u2019d give anyone joining a rally, it would be hold on to that independent spirit.<\/p>\n
If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/p>\n
Yachting World is the world\u2019s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams.<\/p>\n
Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.<\/p>\n
Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/p>\n
The post Rallies provide safety, but they don\u2019t replace independent thinking \u2013 Nikki Henderson appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Taking part in a trans-oceanic rally is definitely a safer way to go about your ocean crossing, but don’t let yourself simply become a follow says Nikki Henderson \u2018When we talk about high speed we\u2019re looking through the lens of … <\/p>\n