The Ondeck Atlantic Adventure
Cascais - Madeira - Cape Verde - Barbados
You are invited to join us on one of our complimentary Atlantic Adventure Open Days to find out more about this event. The events take place at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, UK
Please Click Here to view the schedule and book your place
Many people have dreamt of, or planned to sail across an ocean but there are still only a few people, other than boat owners and their associates, who have experienced the special feeling the great explorers felt while sailing the southerly trade wind route.
Now it's possible for you to experience the thrill of sailing across the Atlantic with Ondeck.
The Atlantic Adventure is split into 3 individual legs, each one increasing in time and distance. Setting sail from the Portuguese port of Cascais in early October, the 3,500 nautical mile voyage to Barbados takes around 6 weeks to complete, ending in the third week of November.
The first 2 legs consist of fast cruising and teaching. The final leg, from the Cape Verdes to Barbados, is a competitive match race.
If you don't have the time to do the whole adventure in one go, you can gain confidence and experience over a number of years taking a leg at a time as each leg is no more than 2 weeks in duration.
Why not take part in Ondeck's 2008 Atlantic Adventure?
Ondeck is offering individual berths on 4 identical and evenly matched Farr 65 ocean racing yachts for this 3,600nm rally adventure.
| Leg 1 - Cascais, Portugal to Madeira - 550nm |
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Why Cascais?
Portugal was chosen as the departure country and Cascais as our host port, due to its strong historical links with Britain and, more importantly, the sea. Cascais is prestigious and strategically places the yachts just far enough South to away from the more unsettled weather to the North.
With its many transport links from all over Europe, Lisbon makes an affordable and easily accessible rendezvous for our new crews.
Cascais is on the Estoril coast of Portugal, just 25 minutes drive from Lisbon. It is the starting point of our 3,500 nm Atlantic Adventure. It is on this beautiful coastline that the Portuguese aristocracy holiday. Cascais is a stylish summer resort, not only enjoyed for the great surf, but also for the numerous restaurants, bars, beautiful historical fortresses, churches and chapels.
There will be a warm welcome and send off from our hosts who, through history, have witnessed the departures of great adventurers such as Vasco da Gama, Henry the Navigator and Magellan, to name just a few, from the same shores.
The Ondeck Fleet sails under the Ponte 25 de Abril as they arrive at Lisbon in 2007
Crew Arrive: 14 October
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The crew arrive into Lisbon and join the yachts at Cascais on the Estoril Coast 3 days prior to the start.
From here you will make a short familiarisation sail up and down the Targus River.
The sail will give crews the chance to get to know the workings of the yachts and practice some safety drills before setting off for Madeira. En-route you will pass the most important monument in Lisbon, the Padrao dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoverers). This limestone monument perfectly captures the spirit of the Age of Discovery. |
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The yachts will pass under the famous 25th of April suspension bridge leading you to Lisbon’s waterfront before returning along the coast to Cascais.
The 550nm passage to Madeira should take around 5 days with varying wind conditions as you head out into the Atlantic Ocean. Like those seafarers of old a sense and feeling of trepidation and unity will prevail, the only difference being that of chronology.
This leg is a perfect shake down for the more experienced crew to get their sea legs back and for most a chance to experience a real ocean passage for the first time. Upon arrival in Funchal a warm welcome can be expected from the town hall, Clube Naval and the local people of Madeira.
During 2008, Funchal is celebrating the quincentennial anniversary of its elevation to city status in the year 1508 with lots of activities and events - full details are available on their website. Allow approximately 5 days for leg 1 and a week stopover at Madeira. |
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| Leg 2 - Madeira to Cape Verde Islands (1058nm) |
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Crew Arrive: 23 October
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This 1058nm ocean leg takes us South into the tropics and the North-East trades. On this leg you will sail between the Canary Islands before making landfall in Mindelo on the unspoilt and remote Cape Verdian island of Sao Vicente near to West African coast.
These islands are stunning, with beautiful white beaches, colonial style villages and dramatic volcanic landscapes. |
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Few visitors arrive by sail and so expect a warm welcome from the locals. We allow approximately 10 days for Leg 2 and crew can enjoy a week stopover to explore these intriguing islands before the passage across the Atlantic. |
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| Leg 3 - Cape Verde Islands to Barbados (2,000nm) |
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Crew Arrive: 5 November
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Your final 2,000nm will be the Atlantic crossing to Barbados.
This leg should not only consist of fast, exhilarating blue water sailing but expect to see plenty of dolphins, turtles and the odd whale or two, as we sail due West to the tropical island of Barbados - our final destination. |
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The Cost
2008 Atlantic Adventure £3,995 |
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You need to allow approximately 6 weeks to complete the full voyage. Each yacht will have a maximum of 12 crew berths (minimum 8) available plus an Ondeck skipper, mate and 2nd mate.
Those who are not able to take the time it is also possible to opt for individual legs where berths are available. The Transatlantic Challenge will be run as a rally, where crews can enjoy friendly competition on the matched fleet of Farr 65 yachts.
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The cost includes:Professional experienced ocean Skipper, Mate and 2nd Mate onboard All meals, snacks and refreshments whilst at sea Shore side representative and professional weather routing Sailing tuition for all levels Accommodation onboard Wet weather gear and lifejackets Host events and parties at each stop over Fuel and mooring fees 10% discount on additional sailing events with ONDECK Sailing over Summer 2009 Any transport costs required in order to get ashore e.g. water taxi The cost excludes:Flights and airport transfers Meals whilst in port
Payment Terms:25% Deposit is due upon booking. The remainder must be paid 4 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE EVENT.
TO DOWNLOAD A FULL INFORMATION PACK - CLICK HERE
For further information or to make a booking please contact:
Katy O'Connor - UK - Tel: +44 (0) 1983 612 642 / e-mail:ko@ondeck.co.uk Liz Holder - Antigua - Tel: +1 (268) 562-6696 / e-mail: lh@ondeckoceanracing.com John Holmberg - USVI - Tel: +1 (340) 777-4944 / e-mail: jh@ondeckoceanracing.com
Online ReservationsIf you would like to book your trip online, you can do so by CLICKING HERE and visiting the Ondeck Shop.
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Our Sponsors and Associates:We would like to thank the following organisations who have worked with us to make the Transatlantic Rally possible:
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