Apply to Join the Arabella Team Using the Form Below
Manhattan Yacht Club encourages all sailors to continually increase their skills, knowledge and experiences. Press forward. Challenge yourself. Learn more. Do something amazing.
To help achieve this growth, our club offers members and guests the unique opportunity to race in the Newport to Bermuda Race on our flagship “Arabella.”
An ocean race is one of the ultimate adventures in sailing. And the oldest and most famous ocean race in the United States is Newport to Bermuda. This race began in 1906 and is 635 miles long. It is organized every two years and the next edition will start on June 21, 2024.
Not only is this a great adventure, but completing the Bermuda Race will lead to substantial personal growth and a rewarding sense of accomplishment.
There are 12 spots available to race on Arabella in 2024. We hope you will get one of them.
You can find out more about the Newport to Bermuda Race and its storied history on their extensive website htttps://bermudarace.com/.
In 2024, Manhattan Yacht Club will enter Arabella in the Newport to Bermuda Race. Most sailors go through life never having done an ocean race. But an ocean race is a transformative experience. It should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Participating in the Newport to Bermuda Race will be a unique experience which will generate a great life experience. For new sailors participating in their first ocean race, Arabella provides a strong and safe platform for training and education. And for experienced sailors, Arabella provides comfort and luxurious accommodations.
The Newport Bermuda Race begins on June 21, 2024. We hope you will be one of the adventurous sailors who race aboard Arabella in this prestigious ocean race.
Arabella Has Made this Trip Many Times
Arabella is a strong and robust yacht which will help open up the Newport to Bermuda Race to many people who might otherwise not participate. She has already made the trip to and from Bermuda many times, just never in a race. Before COVID, Arabella would winter in the Caribbean. During her trips to and from the Caribbean, Arabella often stopped by Bermuda.
Her most recent passage from New York to Bermuda was in November 2019. She sailed to Bermuda to serve as the Manhattan Yacht Club’s floating clubhouse during the Bacardi Cup. Arabella docked at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and also hosted a cocktail party for members of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club. It was during this visit that the idea of entering Arabella in the Newport Bermuda Race was first suggested.
Arabella is also a US-flagged vessel and USCG certified to carry passengers on an international route. Arabella is maintained to the standards of a USCG-certified passenger vessel. She also has an ABS load line. Arabella completed her most recent USCG & ABS drydock inspections in November 2023.
What Type of Sailor Should Apply for the Arabella Team?
Arabella is permitted by USCG regulations to carry up to 12 “paying passengers” in this race. The passengers will be trained, guided and supported during the race by Arabella’s professional crew.
And while an ocean race is a serious endeavor, this adventure is open to both experienced and novice sailors. Sailing experience will not be the main factor in selecting Arabella’s team. Our primary goal is to select active people who thrive on adventure.
We also hope to build a diverse team. Manhattan Yacht Club is one of the most diverse yacht clubs in the country and we hope our team will represent the richness of our community. Having a story is a plus. And being able to contribute in some unique way is also a plus.
We also hope to have a social influencer onboard. Last summer, Arabella was outfitted with a Starlink satellite communication system. Arabella now has an internet connection on the high seas. Our passengers can broadcast back during the entire race “from somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.”
The Newport Bermuda Race used to be covered on the front page of newspapers when it was started. But sailing has dropped in public consciousness. New technology and a growing interest in sailing adventures on YouTube are reawakening the public to the beauty and adventure of sailing. We hope Arabella’s participation in the Newport to Bermuda Race will be beneficial to the race and the sport of sailing.
Pre-Race Training
To prepare for the race, sailors will be invited to spend time on Arabella. The minimum training will be two days in New York Harbor. During these training days, participants will become acquainted with the boat and systems, practice raising and lowering sails and learn safety protocols like wearing a harness and the man overboard procedures.
Sailors with more available time will be encouraged to enroll in the Safety-at-Sea seminar and also join Arabella for more operational days prior to the race. This will include charters in New York Harbor and the delivery to Newport before the race.
How the Race will be Funded
Racing to Bermuda is an expensive undertaking. But the shared-use economy opens up incredible opportunities like this to more people. By pooling resources, we can race Arabella to Bermuda in an economic manner achievable to many people.
The expected race expenses are $120,000. The participation fee is expected to be $9,500 (participants will also need to get trip insurance which is expected to be in the $300-400 range). The participation fee can be offset by helping to bring onboard sponsors or other value to the race team.
This project will be funded on the same principles which founded Manhattan Yacht Club – pooling resources to achieve more as a group than as an individual. With recent advances in technology, the sharing economy has flourished in many fields including sailing. MYC was an early adapter to shared-use and this is how we fund events like our Caribbean Regatta and Monaco Classic Week.
Traditionally, individual yacht owners covered the costs of entering major races. To get on a boat, you had to know and be invited by an owner. Arabella’s participation will be crowd-sourced and funded by the sailors themselves. This will open up the Newport to Bermuda Race to more people who otherwise might never have a chance to participate.
USCG rules permit Arabella to take up to 12 “paying passengers” who help cover the costs associated with the race. Each participant who is selected to be part of the team will pay an entry fee. The 12 spots will be offered to Manhattan Yacht Club members, Manhattan Sailing School graduates and our social networks.
The cost to race Arabella to Bermuda is expected to be $120,000. The main costs are $10K entry fee, $5K for measurement rating, $30K to achieve ABS load line & USCG certification for an international route, $20K for a racing mizzen sail, $15K for a fore staysail, and $20K for crew salaries.
These costs will be split in some manner among the participants. The costs could also be offset by sponsorships or other revenue streams which the participating members can work on collectively.
Buy & read the book celebrating 100 years of Bermuda Race History.
Using the Race for Personal Growth
Participating in the Newport to Bermuda Race provides a special opportunity for personal growth. Here are some personal development traits that may be cultivated through the race:
1. Resilience: The Newport to Bermuda Race often involves unpredictable weather, challenging conditions, and being at sea for 3 to 6 days. Participants learn to adapt to adversity, bounce back from setbacks, and persist in the face of challenges.
2. Teamwork: During the Newport to Bermuda Race, our team will work together to navigate, sail, and maintain Arabella. Participants develop strong teamwork and communication skills as they collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
3. Leadership: The Newport to Bermuda Race requires effective leadership, whether it’s in decision-making, navigation, or managing the crew. Participants can develop and enhance their leadership skills in a dynamic and high-stakes environment.
4. Problem-Solving: Participants in the Newport to Bermuda Race normally encounter various challenges, from technical issues with the boat to strategic decisions in navigation. This fosters the ability to think critically, make quick decisions, and solve problems under pressure.
5. Self-discipline: Sailing in the Newport to Bermuda Race demands discipline and commitment. Participants learn to adhere to schedules, follow routines, and stay focused on their tasks even in challenging conditions.
6. Time Management: Managing time effectively is crucial during any ocean race, where schedules, weather conditions, and navigation plans must be carefully coordinated. Participants develop strong time management skills to optimize performance and safety.
7. Risk Management: Ocean racing inherently involves risks, from adverse weather conditions to potential equipment failures. Participants learn to assess and manage risks effectively, making informed decisions to ensure the safety of themselves and their team.
8. Adaptability: Conditions at the Atlantic Ocean, especially when crossing the Gulf Stream, can change rapidly, requiring participants to adapt to new situations and unforeseen challenges. This cultivates a sense of adaptability and flexibility in the face of uncertainty.
9. Self-confidence: Successfully completing the Newport to Bermuda Race requires a certain level of self-confidence. Participants gain confidence in their abilities, decision-making, and problem-solving skills as they navigate through various conditions.
10. Physical and Mental Endurance: The demanding nature of any multi-day race in the ocean, with interrupted sleep patterns, long hours and challenging weather conditions, builds physical and mental endurance. Participants learn to push through fatigue and maintain focus over extended periods.
Participating in the Newport to Bermuda Race is a unique and intense experience that can provide valuable opportunities for personal growth and development, both individually and as part of a team.
Apply to Join the Arabella Team
Preparations for the race are already underway for Arabella’s entry in the Newport to Bermuda Race. She has completed her ABS load line certifications and quotes have been received for the mizzen and stay sails. We have met with the leadership of the race and they support Arabella’s participation. The next step is to select the team.
The overall leader of our team will be Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh. He has logged more miles on Arabella than any other member and is fully versed in Arabella’s engineering systems and sail handling characteristics. The Commodore holds a 100-Ton USCG Masters License and has been the primary Captain of Arabella for the past several years. The Commodore will focus on building the team and ensuring Arabella is ready.
The Commodore has appointed Jay Parekh as the second captain for this trip. Jay also holds USCG 100 Ton Masters license and is competitive sailboat racer. Jay has already sailed Arabella twice between New York and the Caribbean by way to Bermuda. Jay will focus on interacting with race officials so that Arabella meets all the race requirements.
As new teammates join this adventure, those interested will be assigned other areas of responsibility as we work together to achieve success in Arabella’s first Newport to Bermuda Race.
If you are interested in applying to be part of the Arabella team for the 2024 Newport to Bermuda Race, please complete this form. After your form is submitted, you will be invited to a preliminary interview to understand more about your goals and how you propose to contribute to the team.
To apply to be part of the Arabella Team for the 2024 Newport to Bermuda Race, please complete this form. Once this form is received by the MYC office, we will contact you to arrange an interview.