Racing from the island of rum (Barbados!) to the Spice Isles (Grenada & Carriacou) sounds like a great idea to us! We’ll be on a downwind sleigh ride aboard Panacea X from Barbados directly to Carriacou, the peaceful island just to the north of Grenada. This casual, fun event provides a great opportunity to gain some night sailing hours, offshore helming and about 120 nautical miles of warm water sailing... all downwind!
While this is a race, we will not be pushing things to the max as the goal is to arrive safely and ready to race in Grenada Sailing Week- not exhausted from a white knuckled ride and with lots of things to fix! As such, we will most likely be running with a poled out jib rather than spinnaker, unless conditions are extremely benign. This takes the pressure off and allows less experienced crew to build some overnight experience and in particular helming experience, without the added stress factor of the spinnaker!
Sailors should expect to participate fully in the running of the boat and will get experience with a wide variety of skills and conditions, with none of the stress of doing it on your own.
Questions? Just ask!
2026 Preliminary Schedule
Thursday, January 23: Crew join the boat in the morning for prep, safety briefing and to clear customs. Race starts at 4pm.
Friday, January 24: Land in Tyrell Bay, Carriacou & clear customs.
Pre-Requisites
Prior sailing and racing experience is required. Contact us to discuss eligibility and where you will fit into the team.
Reasonable level of physical strength and fitness.
Cost
$650 CAD
OR $585 CAD Extra Early Bird Rate until August 30.
OR book together as a package with Grenada Sailing Week ($2,400) for just $2,625 CAD.
OR as part of the Ultimate Adventure Package: Booking Package C (described above) AND St.Maarten to Barbados Offshore Mileage Builder ($1,925) and Barbados Sailing Week ($2,400) all for just $5,225.
Maximum 6 crew + skipper + first mate
Includes professional skipper, first mate, all food & non-alcoholic drinks on board, fuel, moorage, yacht insurance and all other operating costs of the yacht. Participants are responsible for: food on shore and other discretionary spending, mandatory travel insurance, flights & on shore accommodation before/after.
Logistical Note
Crew will join the boat by dinghy in Carlisle Bay on the morning of January 22, boarding at Chamberlain Bridge in the Careenage in Bridgetown. Crew will depart the boat at Tyrell Bay Marina in Carriacou, Grenada. There is cheap daily ferry service connecting Carriacou to Grenada, with the ferry boarding right next door to the marina, or crew are more than welcome to continue racing with us in Grenada Sailing Week as part of Booking Package C!
Note that there is no accommodation available on board outside of the stated dates of the event.
About life on board
This is a casual offshore race, with the ultimate goal to get Panacea X safely to Carriacou on schedule for Grenada Sailing Week. Generally a downwind ride from Barbados to Carriacou, it’s a great opportunity to get some offshore overnight race experience. It’s important to come ready to pitch in and help with all the day- to-day tasks necessary to keep the boat neat and tidy and everyone fed and happy. Everyone should be prepared to take a turn preparing a meal, taking care of dishes, tidying up the cabin and we’ll work together to keep the boat ship shape on this short hop.
Read more about Panacea X and check our Caribbean FAQs for more information.
