best sailboat for around the world

10 Best Sailboats for Sailing Around the World

It’s easier than ever to sail around the world with the sailboats available nowadays. It can, however, be quite an overwhelming search trying to find the right boat for the job. What are the best sailboats for sailing around the world?

We have narrowed down the 10 best sailing around the world boats. Our 10 picks are as follows:

• Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
• Island Packet 349
• Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42
• X-Yachts X4.9
• Figaro Beneteau 3
• X-Yachts Xp55

These sailboats provide comfort, performance, and dependability, all important features for your journey.

Read on to learn more about the best sailing around the world boats, including their dimensions and key features.

Also, we hope you find the links here useful. We may get a commission if you purchase something through a link on this page, so thank you!

Also, if you plan on sailing around the world, an inflatable paddle board is the perfect toy to enjoy the water when anchored:

Click here to see it on Amazon.

10 Best Sailing Around the World Boats

1. beneteau oceanis 46.1.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 , with a stepped hull design, is the most popular model Beneteau Boats has ever manufactured. Not only did the Beneteau company incorporate the best qualities of their previous masterpiece, Oceanis 45, to Oceanis 46.1, but also, they increased the overall performance, design, and quality of the boat .

Oceanis 46.1 offers more space by adding a taller mast and deeper lead-bulb keel, in which both provide 28% more sail area. The company also released a ‘First Line’ edition wherein both speed and comfort can be experienced. From a roomy and functional cockpit to an enormous forward owner’s cabin, the Oceanis 46.1 lets you sail in luxury and comfort – perfect for sailing around the world.

Oceanis 46.1’s LOA and LWL are 47’11” (14.60m) and 43’5” (13.24m), respectively. It has a hull length of 44’9” (13.65m). Its standard power engine is a Yanmar diesel with 57 HP, while there is an option engine Yanmar diesel with 80 HP.

This model comes with 5 different layout versions: 3 cabins 2 heads, 3 cabins 3 heads, 4 cabins 2 heads, 4 cabins 4 heads, and 5 cabins 3 heads. This model allows you to sail short-handed and allows you to control the winches from aft. 

In terms of design, its interiors below deck are covered with brushed light oak veneer. You can also find wide sunbeds with separate shower and heads compartments. It is equipped with large hull portholes, allowing natural light into the saloon, making it spacious and comfortable below the deck.

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See the below video to get a walkthrough of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1:

2. Island Packet 349

The Island Packet 349 was crowned by the Cruising World as the ‘Best Midsize Cruiser Under 38 Feet.’ [ 1 ] It provides passengers safe and comfortable long-haul sailing and cruising despite bad weather conditions. 

The IP 349 is designed as a two-cabin boat wherein the single head offers a separate shower compartment that is unique to boats under 38 ft. It comes with a complete set of furniture— refrigerators, a pull-out spice rack cabinet, under-counter storage for dry goods, numerous SS overhead and bulkhead mounted handholds, and much more. The saloon also has an L-shaped built settee to port, while the dining table can be folded away when not in use to provide more space.

The Island Packet 349 has an LOA and LWL of 38’ 3” (11.65m) and 31’ 5” (9.58m), respectively. The beamwidth is 12’ 6” (3.81m), while the draft is 4 feet (1.2m). It can carry up to 55 gallons of fuel and 100 gallons of water. It is equipped with a powerful engine of Yanmar diesel with 45 HP, which can travel a distance of 500 miles at a cruising speed of six knots.

The IP 349 has a 32-foot waterline that gives a nominal hull speed of around 7.5 knots. With its full keel, 20,000 lbs displacement, and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 39%, this model is safe to navigate in sea conditions.

Number 3 in our list of best sailing around the world boats is the Neel 51 . This trimaran had grown popular among its customers when it was launched after the successful Neel 45 and Neel 65 flagship. This model is favored by the majority for its wide deckhouse. The double headsail rig, controlled by Harken 52 winches, is easily accessible within reach from the helm.

But there is visibility restriction from the helm by the headsail, which is a common problem with multihulls. If you want to hang out and relax, there is a large and comfortable lounging area found next to it. The below deck comes with two center-hull cabins equipped with separate head/shower. The Neel 51’s trim is in Alpi wood and flooring in a hard-wearing polyester material.

The Neel 51 has an overall length of 51 feet (15.6m) and an overall width of 29 feet and 18 inches (9.2m). It has a 90sqm live-aboard space and an 18sqm tender garage technical room. It is equipped with a Volvo diesel inboard engine with a 75 HP sail drive.

It can carry up to 160 gallons (600 L) of water and 160 gallons (600 L) of fuel. The Neel 51 has excellent directional stability and can be driven easily. It has no problem sailing from 6-7 knots up to 10-11 knots of breeze, raising its boat speed.

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4. Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42

The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is the 4th and smallest monohull model in the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon series. What stands out with this model is its modern and semi-minimalist design. It has predominantly white interiors, giving it a clean and spacious look, while brightly lit LED lights surround the saloon. The design is meant for max comfortable cruising for long ranges, from country to country, or even take it around the world.

The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is powered by a regular Yanmar diesel engine with 57 hp, which also has a larger alternative option, the 80hp Yanmar diesel engine. The Pilot Saloon 42 has an overall length of 42’6” (12.99m) and beam width of 14’2” (4.34m) that covers 973 sq. ft. (87 sq. m) of sail area at 100%. It has 110 gallons (416 L) of fuel capacity and 162 gallons (613 L) of water capacity.

The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is equipped with a twin rudder system at the stern, allowing its passengers to easily control and steer it on upwind courses because of its excellent grip in the water. The Wauquiez PS42 can sail up to 12-16 knots on onshore wind and rarely goes below 7 knots.

5. Arcona 435

The Arcona 435’s blueprint was incorporated from the Arcona Yachts’ successful predecessor, the Arcona 430. With its improved up-to-date design and performance, the Arcona 435, a monohull offshore cruiser-racer sailboat, outweighs its predecessor by proving to be a fast and easy-to-manage 43-foot performance cruiser and one of the best sailing around the world boats. It is equipped with a lead bow and a wider stern, more space in the saloon, and an enormous cockpit while providing more stability. 

The Arcona 435 was designed to offer exceptional performance without sacrificing the comfort below deck. Below the deck, it has a traditional, light Scandinavian design featuring quality woodwork. It offers its passengers the freedom to move with its large saloon and spacious kitchen while having 3 comfortable double cabins (one forward and two aft) without restricting space for sleeping and storage.

The Arcona 435’s LOA and LWL are 43’4” (13.2m) and 40’ (12.1m), respectively, while it has a beamwidth of 13’1” (4m). It can carry a maximum of 47.6 gallons of fuel, at the same time, a maximum of 79.3 gallons of water. It is powered by a Yanmar JH45C inboard diesel engine with 45 HP, and its hull speed is at 8.48 knots.

6. X-Yachts X4.9

Number 6 on our list of best sailing around the world boats is the X-Yachts X4.9 – the third model launched in the new ‘X’ series. This model aims to showcase a comfortable and stylish interior without compromising performance. Its interior design has a mix of both exquisite looks and practicality.

On the deck, from bow to stern, are pinstripes of full teak. With 4 electrically powered winches, this boat makes it easier to handle. All of the 4 winches are placed at the back of the cockpit, making the lounging area clean, with no ropes in the way.

The below deck of the X4.9 is exceptionally designed. Down to its Nordic oak finish and U-shaped sofa, it looked warm and comfortable to live in it. The L-shaped galley has white Corian worktops with a stove cover, a double sink, and a space for a fridge, microwave, and espresso machine.

The forward owner’s cabin has bed-level hull windows featuring a minimalist concept with a large island bed and a thick mattress , including a separate shower compartment.

It is designed with an overall length of 49’7” (15m) and a waterline length of 44’5” (13.58m) while having a 14’7” (4.49m) beamwidth. It covers a 1,290 ft2 (129.1m2) sail area and has a carrying capacity of 66 gallons (300 L) of fuel and 68 gallons (310 L) of water. The X4.9 is powered by a diesel engine with 57 HP (42.5 kW).

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7. Figaro Beneteau 3

The Figaro Beneteau 3 is the first foiling one-design monohull. It is a game-changer like its successful predecessor, the Figaro Beneteau 2. The FB3 is primarily built for people wanting a classic single-handed race. This model is exceptionally light and very sensitive for its size.

The FB3 is designed to have a light helm, which is needed in long offshore races as well as for single or double-handed racing. The Figaro Beneteau is built for speed, but it can be great for sailing around the world, especially if you want to sail around the world fast.

The Figaro Beneteau 3 is a monohull single-handed racing sailboat with an overall length of 35’7” (10.89m) and a waterline length of 31’ (9.46m). It has a beamwidth of 11’5” (3.48m) while its waterline beam width is 8’2” (2.50m).

On the upwind sail area, it covers a total of 752 sq. ft, while on the downwind sail area, it can cover up to 1555 sq. ft. It has a hull speed of 7.28 knots that can carry up to 11 US gallons (40 L) of fuel. It is powered by Nanni Diesel N3 inboard engine with 21 HP.

8. Hylas 48

The Hylas 48 is named by the magazine Cruising World as the ‘Best Full-Size Cruiser Under 48 feet’. [ 2 ] It is built with a solid stainless-steel stem fitting and double anchor rollers— intended and equipped for the long haul. It also is characterized by solid hand-laid fiberglass with a lead fin keel. This model provides a self-tacking jib for upwind sail and a mounted-forward Genoa for off the wind (downwind sail).

The H48’s layout is traditionally designed, and that is having a cockpit at the center, with a large dining table occupying the saloon with U-shaped seating to port, and a cushioned bench on the centerline. The H48 offers a range of options for customization, depending on the customer’s preferences. The interior finish options available are teak, light oak, and maple.

A Yanmar 75 HP turbo diesel fed by a dual Racor fuel filtration system powers the Hylas 48. This model can travel 8.1 knots at 2,400 rpm and can reach 8.9 knots at 3,100 rpm. It has an overall length of 48’ (14.6m) and a waterline length of 42’ (12.8m). Its beam width is 14’6” (4.4m), and its draft width is 6’6” (2m). It can carry up to 290 gallons of fuel and 119 gallons of water.

9. X-Yachts Xp55

Another X-Yacht is included in our list of best sail around the world boats. It is the Xp55 , a sibling of the X4.9, that is also mentioned in this article. The Xp line focuses on the performance of the boat. This Xp model has a mix of fiberglass and carbon fiber in its hull structure, absorbing rigs and engine loads. There are 3 keels available: a standard 9’4” (2.84m), a deep 10’6” (3.2m), and a shallow 8’2” (2.49m).

The Xp55 has two owner’s cabin layouts and a choice of double or triple heads. The interior standard finish is a touch of holly floorboards with teak furniture. On the other hand, there is an option for another style of interior design – a touch of brushed oak wood on the furniture with walnut floorboards. Common to many sailboats is a large U-shaped sofa found in the saloon that can accommodate up to 8 people.

The Xp55’s LOA and LWL are 56’6” (17.23m) and 48’9” (14.87m), respectively, while its beam width is 15’8” (4.77m). The Xp55 is powered by a diesel engine with 110 hp (81 kW). It can also carry up to 123 US gallons (465 L) of fuel and 159 US gallons (600 L) of water.

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10. Lagoon 50

Number 10 on our list of best sailboats for sailing around the world is the Lagoon 50 , a catamaran sailboat . It has been named as the best multi-hull cruising boat in the 40 to 50 feet category. It features a sporty look, with an easy-to-handle rig and increased performance. This model does not compromise comfort while providing exceptional performance. It also features remarkable volume and comfort in the hulls.

The interiors, by Nauta Design, have a home-like atmosphere featuring innovative architecture. It has a retractable panoramic windscreen with a customizable wood finish, and lots of natural light entering the aft cabin, making it spacious and bright.

The Lagoon 50 has an overall length of 48’5” (14.75m) and a beamwidth of 26’7” (8.10m). It can carry up to 2×63 US gallons (2×240 L) of freshwater and 2×137 US gallons (2×520 L) of fuel. It is powered by the Yanmar 4JJH57 diesel engine with 57 HP.

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How Hard Is It to Learn to Sail a Boat?

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Amel Sailboat Review [50, 60, Super Maramu, Kirk]

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10 Best Sailboats for Sailing Around the World

With the sailboats available today, sailing around the world is easier than ever. Finding the perfect boat for the job, on the other hand, can be a daunting task. So, what are the best sailboats for sailing around the world?

We’ve narrowed down the top ten sailing around the world boats. The following are our top ten picks:

• Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
• Island Packet 349
• Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42
• Figaro Beneteau 3
• X-Yachts X4.9
• X-Yachts Xp55

These sailboats offer dependability, comfort, and performance, all of which are important features for your trip. Read on to know more about the best sailing around the world boats, including their dimensions and major features.

Inflatable paddle boards are also a great way to enjoy the water when anchored if you plan on sailing around the world:

Click here to see it on Amazon.

10 Best Sailing Around the World Boats

1. beneteau oceanis 46.1.

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is the most popular Beneteau boat model that has been produced, thanks to its stepped hull shape. Not only did Beneteau deliver the best features of their previous masterpiece, the Oceanis 45, to the Oceanis 46.1, but they also improved the boat’s overall performance, design, and craftsmanship.

The Oceanis 46.1 has a larger mast and a deeper lead-bulb keel, which provide a total of 28 percent extra sail area. In addition, the company released a ‘First Line’ edition that offers both speed and comfort. The Oceanis 46.1 allows you to sail in luxury and comfort, with a wide and functional cockpit and an enormous forward owner’s stateroom – ideal for sailing around the world.

The LOA and LWL of the Oceanis 46.1 are 47’11” (14.60 m) and 43’5″ (13.24 m), respectively. It has a 44’9″ or 13.65 m hull length. Its base power engine is a Yanmar diesel with 57 horsepower, with a Yanmar diesel with 80 horsepower available as an option.

This version is available in five different layouts: three cabins with two heads, three cabins with three heads, four cabins with two heads, four cabins with four heads, and five cabins with three heads. You may sail short-handed with this model, and you can handle the winches from aft.

The rooms below deck are finished in brushed light oak veneer for a stylish look. Wide sunbeds with separate shower and head compartments are also available. It has wide hull portholes that let natural light into the saloon, making it feel big and comfortable below deck.

A walkthrough of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is shown in the video below:

2. Island Packet 349

The Island Packet 349 was hailed the “Best Midsize Cruiser Under 38 Ft” by Cruising World. [ 1 ] Regardless of the weather, it provides passengers with a safe and enjoyable long-haul sailing and cruising experience.

The IP 349 is a two-cabin boat with a separate shower compartment in the single head. This is unusual for boats under 38 feet. It includes refrigerators, a pull-out spice rack cabinet, under-counter dry goods storage, and several SS overhead and bulkhead mounted handholds, among other things. The saloon also contains an L-shaped built-in sofa to port and a dining table that you can fold away to save some space when not in use.

The LOA and LWL of the Island Packet 349 are 38’3″ (11.65m) and 31’5″ (9.58m), respectively. The beamwidth is 12’6″ (3.81m), with a 4 ft. draft (1.2m). It has a fuel capacity of 55 gal and a water capacity of 100 gal. It is powered by a Yanmar diesel engine with 45 horsepower, capable of covering 500 miles at a cruising speed of 6 knots.

With a 32-foot waterline, the IP 349 has a nominal hull speed of 7.5 knots. This model is safe and easy to navigate in sea conditions, thanks to its full keel, 20,000 lbs. displacement, and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 39 percent.

The Neel 51 ranks third on our list of the best sailing around the world boats. After the success of the Neel 45 and Neel 65 flagships, this trimaran gained popularity among its customers. The majority of people prefer this model because of its large deckhouse. The Harken 52 winches manage the double headsail rig, which is conveniently accessible from the helm.

However, the headsail limits view from the helm, which is a typical problem with multihulls. There is a wide and comfy lounge space adjacent to it if you want to hang out and rest. Two center-hull cabins with separate head/shower are located below deck. The trim of the Neel 51 is made of Alpi wood, while the flooring is made of hard-wearing polyester materials.

This boat measures 51 ft. (15.6 meters) in length and 29 ft. and 18 inches in width (9.2 meters). It features a live-aboard space of 90 square meters and a tender garage technical room of 18 square meters. It has a Volvo diesel inboard engine with a sail drive that produces 75 horsepower.

It has a water capacity of 160 gallons (600 L) and a fuel capacity of 160 gallons (600 L). The Neel 51 is easy to drive and has outstanding directional stability. It has little trouble sailing in winds ranging from 6-7 knots to 10-11 knots, increasing its boat speed .

4. Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42

The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is the fourth monohull model in the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon series and the smallest one. The sleek and semi-minimalist design of this model stands out. Its interiors are mostly white, giving it a light and airy feel, while brightly lighted LED lights surround the saloon. The design is intended for long-distance cruising, such as from one country to another or even around the world.

The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is powered by a 57 horsepower Yanmar diesel engine, which also comes with an 80 hp Yanmar diesel engine as an option. The Pilot Saloon 42 has an overall length of 42’6″ (12.99m) and a beamwidth of 14’2″ (4.34m), with a sail area of 973 sq. ft. (87 sq. m) when fully rigged. This boat has a fuel capacity of 110 gal (416 L) and a water capacity of 162 gallons (613 L).

It has an excellent water grip because it is equipped with a double rudder system at the stern, allowing passengers to effortlessly control and steer it on upwind routes. On onshore wind, the Wauquiez PS42 can sail up to 12-16 mph and rarely dips below 7 knots.

5. Arcona 435

The Arcona 435 was designed using the same blueprint as the Arcona 430, which was a huge success for Arcona Yachts. The Arcona 435, a monohull offshore cruiser-racer sailboat, outperforms its predecessor with its improved, up-to-date design and performance. It proves to be a fast and easy-to-manage 43-ft. performance cruiser and one of the best sailing around the world boats. It has a lead bow and a wider stern, more saloon space, and a large cockpit, all while ensuring improved stability.

The Arcona 435 was created to provide outstanding performance without compromising comfort below deck. It boasts a conventional, light Scandinavian layout with fine woodwork beneath the deck. Its big saloon and spacious kitchen let passengers move freely, while three comfortable double rooms (one front and two aft) provide ample sleeping and storage space.

The LOA and LWL of the Arcona 435 are 43’4″ (13.2m) and 40′ (12.1m), respectively, while the beamwidth is 13’1″. (4m). It has a maximum fuel capacity of 47.6 gallons and a maximum water capacity of 79.3 gallons. It has a 45-horsepower Yanmar JH45C inboard diesel engine and a hull speed of 8.48 knots.

6. Figaro Beneteau 3

The Figaro Beneteau 3 is the world’s 1st foiling 1-design monohull. And like its predecessor, the Figaro Beneteau 2, the FB3 is a game-changer. The FB3 is primarily designed for those looking for a traditional single-handed race. For its size, this model is extremely light and sensitive.

The FB3 is built with a light helm in mind, which is ideal for lengthy offshore races as well as single-handed or double-handed racing. The Figaro Beneteau is designed for speed, but it may also be used to sail around the world, especially if you want to do so quickly.

This model is a monohull single-handed racing sailboat that measures 35’7″ (10.89m) in overall length and 31′ in waterline length (9.46m). It has an 11’5″ (3.48m) beam width and an 8’2″ waterline beam width (2.50m).

It covers a total of 752 square feet on the upwind sail area and up to 1,555 square feet on the downwind sail area. It can carry up to 11 US gallons (40 L) of fuel and has a hull speed of 7.28 knots. It is powered by a 21-horsepower Nanni Diesel N3 inboard engine.

7. X-Yachts X4.9

The X-Yachts X4.9 , the third model in the new ‘X’ series, comes in at number seven on our list of the best sailing around the world boats . This model attempts to provide an attractive and comfortable cabin without sacrificing performance. Its interior design combines great aesthetics with practicality.

Pinstripes of full teak run the length of the deck from bow to stern. This yacht is easier to operate thanks to its four electrically powered winches. The four winches are all located at the back of the cockpit, leaving the lounging area free of ropes.

The X4.9’s below deck is particularly well-designed. It appears pleasant and inviting to live in, right down to the Nordic oak finish and U-shaped sofa. Additionally, it has white Corian worktops with a stove cover, a double sink, and space for a fridge, microwave, and espresso machine on the L-shaped galley.

The forward owner’s stateroom has hull windows at bed level and a minimalist design with a huge island bed and a thick mattress, as well as a separate shower compartment.

It has an overall length of 49’7″ (15m) and a waterline length of 44’5″ (13.58m), with a beamwidth of 14’7″ (4.49m). It has a sail area of 1,290 ft2 (129.1m2) and can carry 66 gal (300 L) of fuel and 68 gal (310 L) of water. The X4.9 is powered by a 57-horsepower diesel engine (42.5 kW).

8. Hylas 48

The Hylas 48 has been rated the ‘Best Full-Size Cruiser Under 48 Ft’ by the magazine Cruising World. [ 2 ] It’s designed and equipped for the long haul, with a robust stainless-steel stem fitting and two anchor rollers. It also has a lead fin keel and is made of solid hand-laid fiberglass. A self-tacking jib for upwind sailing and a mounted-forward Genoa for off-wind sailing are included in this model.

The H48 has a classic configuration, which includes a cockpit in the center, a large dining table in the saloon, U-shaped seats to port, and a cushioned bench in the centerline. Depending on the customer’s needs, the H48 offers a variety of customization choices. Teak, light oak, and maple are the interior finish options.

The Hylas 48 is powered by a Yanmar 75 HP turbo diesel with dual Racor fuel filtration. At 2,400 rpm, this model can hit 8.1 knots and 8.9 knots at 3,100 rpm. It is 48′ (14.6m) long overall and 42′ long at the waterline (12.8m). It has a 14’6″ (4.4m) beamwidth and a 6’6″ draft width (2m). It has a fuel capacity of 290 gallons and a water capacity of 119 gallons.

9. Lagoon 50

The Lagoon 50 , a catamaran sailboat, is number 9 on our list of the best sailboats for sailing around the world. In the 40 to 50 ft. category, it has been rated the best multihull cruising boat. It has a sporty style to it, as well as an easy-to-handle rig and improved performance. This model provides outstanding performance without sacrificing comfort. The hulls also have a lot of space and are very comfortable.

The interiors, designed by Nauta Design, feature a homey feel with unique architecture. It boasts a retractable panoramic windscreen with a wood finish that can be customized, as well as plenty of natural light that floods the aft cabin, making it bright and spacious.

The Lagoon 50 has a beamwidth of 26’7″ and an overall length of 48’5″ (14.75m) (8.10m). It has a capacity of 263 US gallons (2240 L) of freshwater and 2137 US gallons (2520 L) of gasoline. It is driven by a Yanmar 4JJH57 diesel engine that produces 57 horsepower.

10. X-Yachts Xp55

Our list of the best sail around the world boats includes another X-Yacht. This article also mentions the Xp55 , which is a sister of the X4.9. The Xp line focuses on the boat’s performance. The hull structure of this Xp model is made up of a blend of fiberglass and carbon fiber, which absorbs rig and engine loads. A regular 9’4″ (2.84m), a deep 10’6″ (3.2m), and a shallow 8’2″ keel are all available (2.49m).

The Xp55 comes with two different layouts for the owner’s cabin, as well as a choice of double or triple heads. The basic interior finish is teak furniture with a touch of holly floors. On the other hand, a touch of brushed oak wood on the furniture with walnut floorboards is a choice for a different style of interior design. A big U-shaped sofa in the saloon, which can accommodate up to 8 people, is found on many sailboats.

The Xp55’s LOA and LWL are 56′ 6″ (17.23m) and 48′ 9″ (14.87m), respectively, with a beamwidth of 15′ 8″ (4.77m). The Xp55 is powered by a 110 horsepower diesel engine (81 kW). It has a fuel capacity of 123 US gallons (465 L) and a water capacity of 159 US gallons (600 L).

• Post category: Sailing
• Post author: Charlie Green

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Best Sailboat For Sailing Around the Globe?

• By The Editors
• Updated: July 22, 2011

Best Cruising Sailboat 2

In the original forum, AquaPaul asked what the best boat would be for his plan: “I am planning to sell everything (house and stuff), quit my job, and leave for four to five years to sail around the world.”

Resources from Cruising World:

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2. Know Before You Go. – Check out our [how-to articles

](http://www.cruisingworld.com/how-to)

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– Leap of Faith , by Wendy Mitman Clarke (above). Readying the boat for offshore sailing is only part of the jump from land to sea.

3. What’s Next? The possibilities are limitless!

– One Unlikely Cruise from Silicon Valley to Team New Zealand , by Herb McCormick. When Christopher Miller set out from Southern California in the late 1990s for an extended voyage aboard his Tayana 52, he was a solo sailor with an open-ended itinerary.

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Home » Blog » Travel » So you want to sail around the world. Now what?

So you want to sail around the world. Now what?

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: November 20, 2023

Sailing around the world is a major undertaking, but you don’t have to be super rich, athletic, or have salt water running in your veins to do it.

I know bluewater cruisers and round-the-world sailors from all walks of life: young couples,  single women ,  families with kids , and an  85-year-old Reverand .

Waterborne is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When I was in my late twenties, my husband, Robin, and I spent three years sailing 13,000 nautical miles from Vancouver, Canada to Mexico and then across the Pacific to Australia in our 35-foot sailboat.

We didn’t complete a full circumnavigation of the world—our goal was to reach Australia—but that’s pretty common for cruisers our age (I’ll talk more about routes and timelines below).

I grew up dinghy sailing and Robin had no sailing experience at all. We had office jobs, average incomes, and knew almost nothing about bluewater sailing when we started. 

It was two years from buying our boat to casting off the dock lines and setting sail. However, we did 95% of our preparation in the year before we left. This just goes to show how quickly you can go from “dreamer” to “doer”.

How to sail around the world

For every bluewater cruiser I know, I can think of dozens of “armchair sailors” who dream of sailing around the world but never get out and do it.

Why? There are some big hurdles to overcome before you set sail: getting offshore experience, finding the right boat, outfitting it with all the right gear, learning how to be self-sufficient, and fixing things that break. 

Not to mention finding a way to finance it all.

There’s also a strong psychological and social element: “What will my parents, friends, and colleagues think?” “Will I be able to find work again with a big hole in my resume?”

Going bluewater cruising is a radical departure from the norm and an entirely new way of living. You’ll be faced with challenges, but that’s what makes it such an incredible experience.

If you want easy travel, get a camper van. Sailing around the world is a life-changing adventure. 

So, I wanted to share how we made our transition from landlubbers to bluewater cruisers and share a few resources to help you on your way.

1. Get some offshore sailing experience

Sure sailing around the world sounds romantic—the freedom of the open ocean, sunsets on a beach in Bora Bora, sipping fresh water from a coconut you picked yourself (words of caution: climbing a palm is much harder than it looks!).

But are you willing to put up with  the not-so-fun stuff  that comes with it?  Seasickness , scary conditions, sleep deprivation from  sailing at night , repairing your boat when it breaks (which it will), and being thousands of miles from friends and family?

Some of the best moments in my life were on the boat, but I’ve also had experiences that put me way out of my comfort zone.

It’s not simply a matter of being  mentally tough  (though that helps), some people are just never going to enjoy the sailing life.

The question is: is it right for you? What about your partner, your kids, or whoever else is coming along for the ride? 

Bluewater sailing can blow up relationships. I’ve heard many stories about sailing couples investing tens of thousands in their boats, only to set sail and discover that one or both of them hate it. 

So, before you buy a bluewater boat, quit your job, or give up your studio apartment, you (and your crew mates) should  go and get some offshore sailing experience . 

Spending a week on an offshore passage will not only teach you valuable skills, but it will also give you a taste of the challenges and joys that come with bluewater cruising.

There are plenty of ways to get experience if you don’t already own a boat:

• Take a course at an  offshore sailing school
• Try  sailboat hitchhiking
• Look for crewing opportunities (or pay for a spot) on a rally boat in the  ARC  (Atlantic Ocean crossing),  Pacific Puddle Jump  (Pacific Ocean crossing), or  Baja Haha  (San Diego to Cabo). 
• Become a crew member on a friend’s boat 

2. Find your community and immerse yourself in cruising culture

If you want to go cruising, you’re going to need a support network of people who’ve been there and done it.

We received so much help leading up to our trip (and along the way). Our liveaboard friends and neighbors in Vancouver helped us fix up our engine, rewire our boat, and find a great deal on a new set of sails, just to name a few. 

There are lots of ways to  find your sailing community , either online or in person. I highly recommend mooring your boat in a  liveaboard marina , where you’ll likely be surrounded by other bluewater cruisers.

You can also learn a lot from other people’s stories. Immerse yourself in bluewater cruising culture: read the  classic sailing books , subscribe to a magazine like  Good Old Boat  or  Cruising World , listen to  sailing podcasts , and follow a few  sailing Youtube channels  or  sailors on Instagram .

3. Make a plan

There are many different routes for sailing around the world. Most cruisers sail the easier legs—following the trade winds across the Atlantic and Pacific, transitting the Panama Canal —and spend their time exploring beautiful places and cruising grounds like the Galapagos Islands, French Polynesia, and New Zealand. 

Only a few cruisers take on the harder routes—transiting the Northwest passage, Southern Ocean, or Indian Ocean (perhaps you’ve heard of the infamous Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope?).

For route planning, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Jimmy Cornell’s  World Voyage Planner  which shows you how to sail from anywhere in the world to…well, anywhere in the world.

How long does it take to sail around the world?

The current world record for sailing around the world is 40 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes (IDEC 3, skippered by Francis Joyon). But unless you’re going for the speed record, you’re going to want to visit the different countries you sail to.

I know cruisers who’ve circumnavigated in as little as five years and others who spend decades making the big loop. 

In my experience, it doesn’t pay to be in a rush because inevitably things don’t go to plan.

Your boat will break down and need repair which often means spending time in a boatyard. 

You may find yourself waiting weeks if not months for crucial parts. 

You may need to fly home in the middle of your cruise (as we did) when a relative is ill or dies. 

Or, you may just fall in love with one of the remote places you visit and want to stay for a while.

Bad weather and hurricane season will dictate when and where you sail. For example, we had originally planned to cross the Pacific in 2016, but we didn’t feel ready. So, we waited a whole year for the right conditions and crossed in the spring of 2017.

My recommendation is to give yourself a minimum of three years to trial the cruising life . Make a plan but don’t be disappointed if you have to throw it to the winds.

4. Make a cruising budget

When people learned that we were traveling the world on our sailboat, they often assumed that we were independently wealthy, which couldn’t have been further from the truth!

We’ve cruised for as little as $1000 a month, but when it comes to cruising budgets, the sky is the limit. It all depends on:

• Your boat . Smaller boats cost less to buy and maintain.
• Destinations . We found places like Mexico and Fiji very affordable, while places like French Polynesia and Australia were quite expensive. 
• Your timeline. Most of the young cruisers we knew were on three-year timelines (because that’s what they could afford). The retirees and families we met often had the financial means to cruise for longer (sometimes indefinitely). Some had houses that they rented, and others would take breaks in places like New Zealand where they worked regular jobs.
• Whether you’re willing to work along the way. We wrote for sailing magazines while we were cruising, but it wasn’t enough money to fund our trip. We mostly relied on savings. With technology like Starlink and the post-pandemic remote work boom, it’s probably easier today to  earn money while cruising . However, cruising is a full-time job. It can be challenging to cover ground while keeping up with work commitments
• Your lifestyle. As I mentioned, it’s possible to  sail around the world on a budget . But we lived pretty rough: no air-conditioning, no freezer, no hot water—at one point, we hadn’t taken a shower for 8 months!

When making your budget, I’d suggest perusing a few  sailing blogs  where cruisers post their monthly expense. 

Also, there are plenty of  creative ways to finance a sailboat . Some people even manage to  travel the world for free by buying and selling their boats in the right markets . 

5. Buy a bluewater boat

You can’t sail around the world in any old sailboat.  Bluewater boats have specific design characteristics  that make them appropriate for offshore sailing. 

I love data, so I made a list of the  best bluewater sailboats  by looking at 2,000 boats that were entered in the Pacific Puddle Jump, a cross-Pacific rally, over the last decade. We also have a list of  smaller boats  which I recommend if you’re on a budget.

Once you have your list, you can get busy searching YachtWorld, Craigslist, and these other  great places to buy used boats . 

Keep in mind that a bluewater boat isn’t necessarily a seaworthy boat. It may have structural damage, unsound rigging, or need an expensive retrofit. Uncover any lurking issues (and know what they’ll cost to fix) before you sign on the dotted line.

We had a very in-depth  boat checklist  that we used to inspect every boat we considered buying. We also hired an accredited marine surveyor, twice, to survey every detail of our boat. The first time was for the purchase, the second time was when we were preparing to go offshore.

For more on how to search,  understand boat values , and close the deal, check out our series on  how to buy a boat .

6. Live on your boat

The next big step on your cruising journey will be moving onto your boat.

We lived on our boat for two years before we set sail and it taught us so much about the boat (read: what needed to be fixed) as well as ourselves (and whether we could handle close-quarter life).

By moving aboard you’ll learn if living on a boat is right for you  and your family. You can also save a bunch of money for your trip. After two years of living aboard, our rent savings paid for the purchase of our boat.

7. Prepare yourself

Preparing yourself for going offshore is a major undertaking. You’ll need to learn advanced navigation, weather, and excellent seamanship, among other things.

It’s not enough to know the theory. Get out and practice with your gear and become comfortable with maneuvers like reefing,  heaving to , sailing downwind with a pole out genoa , and  anchoring under sail .

In addition, you should become intimately familiar with your boat’s systems. Sailboats break down at sea (here are the  most common problems ). So, you have to be capable of fixing your boat when you’re hundreds of miles from shore. 

Become an expert in your boat’s electrical system , propulsion, rigging, sails, and plumbing, before you go.

When the pandemic hit, a lot of sailing education moved online. Now there are plenty of great  online sailing courses  covering everything from learning the parts of a sailboat to celestial navigation.

That being said you can’t beat on-the-water instruction and offshore experience (see #1 for offshore sailing courses). 

8. Outfit your boat

Preparing your boat for offshore will take dedicated effort and money, especially if it’s an older boat that’s not been previously equipped for bluewater sailing.

In addition to fixing existing issues and replacing old equipment, you’ll want to add offshore gear like a  watermaker , a boom brake , downwind sails , self-steering wind vane, life raft,  satellite phone , AIS, solar panels, and inverter. 

Not to mention all the spare parts you’ll need to keep these systems running. 

Needless to say, outfitting can get pretty expensive but you can save money by buying used boat parts and second-hand sails .

We spent six months in the boatyard, working full-time on our 1979 Dufour 35 to get her ready to sail. We built a solar arch , installed panels, replaced our rigging, added a roller furler, replaced our anchoring setup, removed 30 years of antifouling paint, and much much more. 

9. Do a shakedown cruise

Next, it’s time to test your boat (and yourself) by taking it on a shakedown cruise. The idea of a shakedown is to test your boat’s performance after any major changes or repairs. The goal is to find any issues (and fix them) before going farther afield. 

We circumnavigated Vancouver Island for our shakedown cruise. It took us a little over a month and allowed us to test our systems in a variety of conditions including ocean swell, fast currents, and light and moderate wind speeds.

Despite checking and fixing every system on our boat over the preceding months, we still had issues. Our engine quit, we struggled to get our wind vane working, and we had to make a few adaptations to our brand-new sails. But that’s the whole point of a shakedown cruise!

10. Go now!

“Go small, go simple, go now” is a popular cruising philosophy and one that we adhere to.

Life is short and we’ve seen poor health and other life situations bring cruising adventures to a halt.

There’s no ideal time to go cruising. You can be young or old, with or without kids, retired or working. 

Certainly don’t wait until you can afford a larger boat. A  small boat  was our ticket to cruising early in life because it made it more affordable. 

If your dream is to sail around the world, start working towards your cruising dream NOW. You won’t regret it.

Let us know how we can help you on your bluewater journey and what topics you’d like to learn more about by leaving us a message in the comments.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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17 Best Catamarans for Sailing Around the World

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Catamarans are quickly outstripping single-hull boats for long-distance journeys. They are more stable and comfortable , and some can travel more than 200 miles in a day. In today’s article, I have put together a complete (well almost) list of some of the best catamarans for circumnavigating the planet; the question is, which one is best for you?

The best catamarans for sailing around the world include: 

• The Fountaine Pajot Ipanema 58

These cats focus on speed, safety, and comfort for longer journeys. 

This article will show you the seventeen best catamarans for long journeys, and why they’re the best. You’ll also learn some great tips on what to look for in a Catamaran and how to save money by buying a used catamaran. Let this list be a jumping-off point for your future research!

Pro-tip; here are the actual costs of maintaining a cat and here are considerations on how to circumnavigate .

Table of Contents

The Best Catamarans for Sailing Around the World 

A catamaran is a double-hulled boat with a deck or cabin area in between (bluewater cat definition in this article ). The double hull design means that the boat rocks less, sits higher on the water, uses less fuel to sail, and can be sailed in shallower waters than a single-hulled boat without worrying about grounding. 

Catamarans come in a variety of sizes and can be sail-powered or motor-powered and range from single-person sailing boats to family-sized yachts. Every catamaran design is different, and the twin-hull shape offers many ways to customize the layout of a ship. 

Each boat on this list is a larger catamaran (+40ft, more on size here ), so if you’re going to sail around the world, you want lots of space for provisions and rest.

Of course, there are tons of technical specs for each of these boats, but I’m going to focus on the overall features of each of these catamarans, what makes them stand out, and why they would each be an excellent choice for a transatlantic journey. 

Antares 44i 

The Antares 44i is an excellent option for sailing around the world and was explicitly designed for long-distance cruising. It performs well in any weather conditions, can be sailed easily by two people, and you’ll be able to sail long distances and live in comfort. 

Although it can be easily sailed by a crew of two I believe that a true bluewater cat should be set up for single-handed sailing, more on that in another article .

This catamaran features a stateroom on each hull and a forward cabin with plenty of storage space. The living and entertainment features include a flatscreen tv and a high-end deck speaker system. 

With this model, Antares dedicates itself to high-quality boats with optimal rigging and engine configurations. 

Atlantic 42

Atlantic is no longer building this catamaran, but there are usually a few pre-owned boats on the market. You can also get it made custom if you love the design, but be prepared to spend more money on a custom boat (custom boat also gets custom problems ;)). 

The Atlantic 42 is slightly smaller than some of the other catamarans on this list but is a seaworthy vessel. 42 ft is what most sailors I interview ( in this article ) said was the smallest cat to safely cross big oceans. It is also a decent size to counter the risk of capsizing (more on that here ).

It has a forward cockpit and pilothouse, which gives the owner a better use of space and makes the boat easier to navigate. With single-handed capability, one person can sail it easily and let the rest of the crew relax. 

One of the best-praised aspects of the Atlantic 42 is its galley, more extensive than most 42-footers (12.8-meter) can offer. 

One of the few 50 footers (15.24 meters) that can be sailed by just one person (many would of course disagree on this).

The Catana 50 is a catamaran worthy of an overseas journey. Its size adds to its stability on the open waters and its ability to sail straight through the choppy ocean and windy conditions. 

The Catana is also incredibly spacious on the inside, with substantial cabins and showers. The biggest downside to the Catana 50 is its price, as it’s much more expensive than most of its competitors. 

Catana also holds up well against some of the fastest cruising cats out there, here’s a list of the fastest cruisers if you are interested in that.

However, if you can find a gently-used Catana 50, you can rest assured that this boat will last! 

The Dolphin 42 is unique because of the use of daggerboards instead of fixed keels. This upgrade means that the boat has some pretty decent upwind performance while at the same time being faster downwind.

Centerboards and daggerboards offer some interesting downsides compared to mini keels. This is an interesting discussion and I suggest you read another one of my articles if you want to deepen your knowledge a little.

These catamarans are some of the lightest on the market. Not many Dolphins were made, so they are relatively hard to find. However, if you want a small, lightweight boat capable of going great distances, the Dolphin 42 is an excellent choice. 

Fountaine Pajot Belize 43

The Fountaine Pajot Belize is another well-built cruising yacht. Its core is made of foam instead of balsa, which reduces the risk of structural damage due to a rotten core in case of water intrusion. 

The design of Belize offers many options for customizability, with large open spaces and a combined saloon, navigation, and dinette area. 

There are two styles of Belize catamarans for sleeping quarters. You can either purchase a boat with an entire primary suite on one hull or one with two cabins in each hull. The first option is great if you are sailing the world alone and not expecting many guests, as it increases the storage capacity. 

Understanding what factors to consider when getting a cat can be hard, there are just so many of them (such as the daggerboard discussion above), I have tried to compile some of the most important in this article .

The boat also has wraparound windows to increase the sense of space in the galley. 

Fountaine Pajot Lucia 40

Fountaine Pajot is one of the best sailboat manufacturers existing today, as their boats are well made and highly versatile. The Lucia 40 is no exception – it’s a smaller boat but has a lot of room for moving around and on-board living. 

The living area is remarkably spacious on this catamaran for its size. 

The galley and lounge easily accommodate 6+people. The Lucia 40 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to sailing either, as the narrow hulls slice through choppy waters with ease. 

Most catamarans today are built to withstand rough weather but that doesn’t matter as much if the crew isn’t up for the task, I firmly believe that the most important thing a boat should consist of, is knowledge. Therefore taking online courses ( two free here ) or reading books ( my favorites here ) is imperative.

Gemini 105M

Gemini’s boats have been on the market for years and are solidly built for cruising. This boat is one of the most popular ever made, I personally would consider something different for offshore cruising, but since it has such a good reputation, I felt I had to add it to the list.

If you want to understand why I am hesitant to take this boat around the world, I recommend you read my article: What are trampolines on a catamaran?

The Gunboat 62 is a great catamaran and set the standards for the rest of the impressive Gunboat lineup. It’s sleek and spacious while being robust and capable of transatlantic journeys. You can easily travel the world in a Gunboat 62 with several people and not feel cramped. 

The yacht was made for speed and power and remains one of the fastest catamarans on the market, even rivaling the newer Gunboat models.  GABO

Although the earlier models of the Gunboat 62 weren’t designed for a lot of cargo, you can still find space for everything you need without compromise. 

Lagoon catamarans are known for their reliability and ease of use. If you are considering a catamaran for the first time and are unsure about the technicalities of sailing, a Lagoon boat is a great option. 

The Lagoon 380 is probably the smallest cruiser on this list, which makes it better suited for solo or couple sailing.  

When I go looking to buy something, whether it be a boat, campervan, or whatever, I create a checklist and classify all the things I want either by NEED or NICE to have.

I believe the Lagoon 380 to be sub-optimal for my NEEDS, even though it does check a lot of NICE boxes, there’s a step-by-step article on the NEED and NICE method here .

There are several cabin options available on the Lagoon 380, but if you’re sailing by yourself, you can settle for three cabins and a larger galley and living space. With a smaller cockpit and broader side decks, the Lagoon 380 packs a lot of practicality and ease of sailing into a more compact catamaran. 

If you like the idea of a Lagoon boat but want a little more space, the Lagoon 42 is the upgraded version of the Lagoon 380. With all of the same benefits, it comes with more space for cabins or storage, making it one of the best-selling Lagoons of all time. 

The Lagoon 42 is also a faster cruiser built for strength. While it’s not the fastest on the market, it works well in choppy waters and windy conditions, making it great for the beginning sailor to go on a more extended trip. 

Many people have completed an around-the-world sail with this ship.

Although there is a flybridge version, I would recommend the “open” version due to several factors, some including increased windage and a higher boom. More on flybridges pros and cons here .

For stability, safety, and durability, you can’t beat the Lagoon 42. 

The Leopard 45 performs better with less storage weight because of the relatively low bridge deck clearance. If the boat is fully loaded, you could experience some wave pounding. However, the cockpit is open and airy, with devices that block the sun and provide maximum comfort while sailing. 

The Leopard 45 is an incredibly beautiful boat,   and has a strong reputation for excellent build quality!

Leopard catamarans are one of my personal favorites, as such I have written an entire article about the brand, so if you want to understand its pros and cons then here is the link . Gabo

Designed in South Africa, it features a high rear arch for extra support and very smoothly connected decks. The galley is large and open, and most Leopards offer a four-cabin plan. If you are traveling with another person, this boat is an excellent option for you! 

The Manta 42 is another classic catamaran that you can buy used (at a decent price), as it is an incredibly seaworthy vessel. While still in production, the Manta was one of the most popular catamarans on the market. 

It is still in high demand amongst circumnavigators. Buying a used Manta 42 usually means that you inherit some of the previous owner’s boat upgrades! 

The Manta 42 also made it to my list of the 9 safest catamarans on the market ( link ).

This blue water cat can be sailed by one or two people, making it ideal for liveaboard couples or long-distance shorthanded sailing. The galley is in the saloon ( instead of in one of the hulls ), making the cabins below more spacious and better equipped. 

Overall, the Manta is well equipped for sailing around the world. 

Nautitech 44

Nautitech is an excellent brand of the catamaran, with several different designs per boat. The Nautitech 44 has a unique feature, you can have it with two options for steering: twin wheels or a single wheel.

The Nautitech 44 also features a cockpit on the same level as the saloon. The door between the two is more convenient than a hatch and dramatically reduces the risk of water damage during rain pour. 

This is also the same boat that aeroyacht president Gregor owns, he has offered some great insights into Nautitech in the book Catamarans (amazon link )

Outremer 45

Outremer is famous for being one of the fastest brands of catamarans on the market. If you need speed, the Outremer 45 might be the perfect choice for you. It has a top speed of 16 knots, which is higher than almost every other catamaran of its class. 

While the Outremer 45 is known for speed, it doesn’t compromise on the quality of living. 

You can settle into life on this boat with complete peace of mind. Even as a beginning sailor, the steering is simple and easy to use, and the autopilot is top of the line, so you’ll be able to sail across the ocean in an Outremer without issue. 

Privilege Serie 5

A French-designed catamaran, the Privilege Serie 5 is one of the most comfortable 50-foot (15 m) yachts available. The unique cabin layout includes the master cabin in the boat’s center instead of in one of the hulls. 

The Privilege Serie 5 is also incredibly easy to sail, despite its larger size. 

The sails and controls lead to the helm, where the raised deck makes it easy to see all around the deck. If you want to cross the ocean with a full crew then the Privilege Serie 5 might be perfect for you! 

Seawind 1000

The Seawind 1000 is the smallest boat on this list, measuring 33 feet (10 meters) long altogether. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s not livable. If you are sailing on your own or with a partner, there is more than enough space to live in the Seawind 1000, which includes the option of a centered cabin or two hull cabins. 

Because it’s small, the Seawind 1000 is easy to handle. The mast and sails are all manufactured for extra stability and ease of use. 

Overall, the Seawind 1000 is an excellent example of a simple, safe, and seaworthy catamaran. 

Note: since this is a small catamaran it will also be more sensitive to heavy weather so trip-planning becomes even more important.

The Voyage 44 is one of the oldest cats on this list, having had its hay-day in the mid-1990s. However, this also means that a used Voyage 44 will be cheaper than a newer boat. If you can find a Voyage with previous responsible owners, you will inherit any upgrades and fixes that they’ve made on top of a very seaworthy boat. 

The Voyage 44 has more storage and space than most cruisers of its size and is known for behaving very well in choppy waters. 

This catamaran does its job well while providing adequate space for cooking, sleeping, and living aboard. 

What To Look For in a Long-Distance Cruising Catamaran

If you are planning to sail around the world, you need to be very careful about which kind of catamaran you decide to use. Many of the things you want in a boat really comes down to personal preference, so be sure you know what design preferences you want before you start shopping! 

Size and Payload

The most important thing to consider when buying a catamaran is how much space and cargo you need because the larger the boats are, the bigger the payload it can handle. Decide how long you want the ship to be and how much you’re taking with you. 

It’s vital not to overload a catamaran, this will reduce performance and increase risk of unwanted behavior in heavy seas.

Cabin Placement  

Most catamarans have options for a “Maestro” cabin placement, where one entire hull is the master suite, and the other cabins are located on the opposite hull.

Cockpit and Protection From The Weather

Is the cockpit on the boat you’re looking at covered or open? This can make a difference on the high seas, especially during rainy weather. 

The size of the ship also can affect how many people you need as a crew. If you’re traveling by yourself or with one other person, you don’t want to buy a boat that needs a larger crew. 

Buying Used? 

If you don’t want to spend the money on a brand new catamaran, I don’t blame you. Several of the ships on this list are out of production and can only be found used. However, for circumnavigation, you do want a boat of high quality to keep you safe and dry until you make it to your destination.  

When buying a suitably used catamaran, it’s essential to look at the refit history of the boat more than the year it was made. Catamarans are sturdy, and the general design has been the same for at least the past decade. 

If you find a newer, larger, cheaper boat, you should look into its history. 

Your best bet to save money while buying a catamaran will be to buy an older, probably smaller boat with an excellent refit history and no serious issues. It will still be an investment, and a sturdy used catamaran will serve you well. 

Final Thoughts

No matter which catamaran you decide to buy for your journey, you’ll be able to sail safely and comfortably. Catamarans are great yachts for long-distance sailing, and the ships on this list are the best of the best. These brands are time-tested and ready to accompany you on an adventure around the world! 

Here are Some of My Favorite Catamaran Cruising Resources

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful as you hopefully start your sailing adventures. Here are some resources that I use as a sailor that I hope you’ll also find helpful. These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact things that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family. Sailboats: If you’re looking for the best boat to suit your needs, I would recommend a catamaran. If you’re interested, I can show you the differences between catamarans and other types of sailboats .

Books:  For getting started, I really like  Cruising catamarans made easy . It is actually a textbook from the American sailing association; it is used to get a cruising catamaran certification. There are some other great books, and I have compiled a list of books about cruising catamarans that you will find useful.

Communication:  Being out on adventures, whether it be sailing or climbing mountains, good communications are essential to being safe. I recommend two things Google fi (incredibly simple cellular data all over the world) and Garmin inreach mini (for text and voice in remote areas without cell coverage)

Sailing courses: Online sailing courses are great for beginners starting out their sailing career; it’s an efficient way of learning the basics of navigation, throttle controls, and maritime safety. I suggest starting with two free courses from NauticEd .

To see all my most up-to-date recommendations,  check out this resource  that I made for you!

• Wikipedia: Catamaran
• Cruising World: A-Z Best Cruising Catamarans 
• Dreamy Yacht Sales: Four Best Catamarans for New Buyers
• Atlantic Cruising: Good Cat/Bad Cat
• Yachting World: Catamaran Sailing Across the Atlantic
• Boat Affair: What is a Catamaran? 
• Nautilus Sailing: Catamaran Sailing

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

3 thoughts on “ 17 Best Catamarans for Sailing Around the World ”

I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.

Thanks Elisabeth I really appreciate the kind words 🙂

I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.

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7 Best-Known Routes for Sailing Around the World (with Maps)

Route planning is among the most crucial bits of preparation, especially when it comes to circumnavigation. This article will give you seven of the most commonly used routes for sailing around the world. Some routes have been sailed many times by many people, others are obscure or even dangerous.

• The Fast Route - for the minimum time
• The Pleasure Route - for the maximal pleasure
• The Traditional Route - the road most taken
• The Arctic Route - for the rough ones
• The Dangerous Route - without regards for piracy
• The Cheap Route - with a budget in mind
• The Coast Lover's Route - never going far from the coast

Since circumnavigation is quite a complex matter, let's go through this list one by one below.

On this page:

How to choose a route for you, route for speed, the pleasure route, the traditional route, the arctic route, the dangerous route, the cheap route, the coast lover's route.

What route you will take depends on what kind of journey you are looking for. If the goal is to do it in the least amount of time possible, you will be choosing a different path than if you don't care about time and put emphasis on sightseeing.

Similarly, if safety and convenience are at the top of your priority list, you will choose a route that might differ greatly from that of a person ready to spend more on security and cut corners through tricky territories.

If you have specific locations in mind, you will take turns that are, logistically speaking, quite impractical, while if efficiency is what you want, there are certain places it would make little sense to visit.

And finally, if you are after comfort, you will avoid some bumpy places and times of the year, as opposed to somebody who won't mind venturing into the corners of the oceans that require a hell of a warm jacket.

There is no right or wrong answer here; don't feel some approaches are better than others. Just look at what you want from the journey, read through this article, and then choose what best suits you.

21 Places to Avoid Sailing Around the World (In Order)

Let's kick this off with a racing spirit. This is the route taken by those competing in Vendée Globe, a circumnavigation race. It takes a bit under three months...

...that is if you are a racer and so is your boat. If you are a cruiser kind of person, it will take more time, but the point is that this route is as straightforward as it gets.

So what waypoints does it touch? Vendée globe racers start in France, then head down towards the Cape of Good Hope, circle Antarctica as close as the rules allow, and after getting to Cape Horn, head up to France again.

Of course, based on where you start from, your route might differ. But the idea is as follows:

• head south towards the Southern Ocean
• sail around Antarctica through the Southern Ocean
• after reaching the point where you met the Southern Ocean for the first time, head back up

The Southern Ocean is not a breeze, the cold waters mixing with the warmer ones coming from the north, plus the danger of icebergs, as well as the cold temperature, isn't how your typical holiday dream looks. That being said, it's up to you how close to Antarctica you will want to be when going around it.

This route doesn't touch down at any land, so you must be prepared for months on the sea as far as provisions, spares and mental capacity goes. Of course, this is variable, you can easily make landfall in Azores, South Africa, South Australia, or South America, and some of the South Pacific islands, if you need to. Either way, it is demanding logistically, so be sure to have your checklist in check .

It is among the most straightforward routes. Not just because it is probably the shortest one or the fastest one, but all the hassle with visas, check-ins, going through canals, and other lengthy land creatures' business will be foreign to you.

If you make it through the Southern Oceans unharmed, you will certainly have one hell of a story to tell.

Now let's go on the opposite side of the specter.

Let's suppose you theoretically have unlimited time. Instead of doing things quickly and efficiently, you want to take it at a leisurely pace while admiring all that there is to see.

This route will begin and end in the Mediterranean, but that's just because that's where I am based, sailing-wise. Wherever else you are, just pick the point of the route closest to you and begin there.

We will begin in Croatia, because it has beautiful shores and islands, travel around Greece with even more islands, the south around Italy, through Gibraltar. After that:

• head south to the Azores
• west to the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal
• west to Hawaii
• south to French Polynesia
• west to New Zealand, then Australia and Papua New Guinea
• northwest to Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India
• south to Madagascar, then along the African coast to Cape of Good Hope
• north to the Azores and then through Gibraltar back home

This route takes time since it aims to explore all it can even remotely touch. It's not just that the route is long, because the aim is to visit pretty places. You might also find yourself having to wait months at some places for the bad weather season to clear before you can make your next crossing. Have a look at our article about things to think about when planning for a long trip .

Because of that, this route is more demanding when it comes to planning, visa hassle, check-in research, more ports and anchors, more provisions planning. Also, your boat will need to be a solid liveaboard , since you will spend so much time on it. Logistically, it will be demanding.

But for all that hassle, you will literally get to see the world. You will visit many fantastic cultures, get to taste the cuisines from all over, and the long times waiting for the winds to calm down will be spent on exploring the place you are 'stuck' at.

What more does one need...

...except perhaps some middle ground. Now that we've been to two extremes, let's look at something in the middle: the route most commonly taken when circumnavigating.

It is rather similar to the Pleasure Route above except for skipping the Mediterranean, Pacific, and Southeast Asian stops.

Thus it goes as follows:

• From Europe, head south to the Azores
• west to Australia
• west to Cape of Good Hope

This route accomplishes the circumnavigation while stopping at beautiful places but doesn't necessarily explore everything that happens to be around. Its strong suit is the variability. If you like the Caribbean, you stop and cruise around there. If Australia excites you, you do the same there. If you want to see Madagascar, well, it will be almost on your way. And so on.

It has been a traditional route to take because it is relatively painless and does not go through any hazardous areas.

It has been traveled by many before you, so there is a lot of info floating around if you want to do your research on specific parts of the journey.

On its own, it has a lot of long legs where you will not see anything but the ocean on the horizon. So for those of you who mind this, you gotta make it your own, customize it a bit, so that you spend more time at places that you like.

This planning really is important. Some of those legs can't be made during certain seasons if you want to be careful, so to make sure you don't get stuck somewhere you don't particularly like, you should plan well.

With that, let's get crazier.

For those who want to do things the hard way. Perhaps you really like the scenery, perhaps you want to test yourself, or maybe you've done every other passage, and now it is time for the icy one.

There is a circumnavigation route that leads through regions so far up north you mostly don't encounter them even on a map. Because why would you look up there.

Now I don't know how long this article will survive on the internet, but note that this route is rather climatically contextual. Given enough time, it might freeze over and become unavailable.

For me, it would begin in one of the northern ports of Norway and then:

• continue west to Iceland
• west to the south of Greenland and then up its western coast to the Baffin Bay
• south of Devon Island and through the archipelagos to Beaufort and Chuchki Seas
• west along the northern coast of Russia under the Lyakhovsky Islands
• west under the Yuzhny Island to the Barents Sea and back to the north of Norway

To this, you will have to add the most straightforward route north from wherever you are to any point on the route above.

Cold. Thus this requires clothing, equipment, and a boat that can withstand the polar temperatures along with chunks of ice floating around.

How much more adventurous can you get? Circumnavigation has been accomplished by plenty of people. This, not so much.

With the above, the major sailing routes have been covered. So what follows are mostly variations. Important ones, though.

Imagine this one mostly as the Traditional Route, except with a few twists. One of them leads through the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal.

Why take it? Because if you look on the map, you will see that when going from the general direction of Australia or Southeast Asia west, meaning you are probably aiming for the Azores or further for the Caribbean, it will save you a lot of time.

Money, not so much. You will have to pay for security. Because although you will save yourself the long southern route around the whole continent of Africa, which is nearly a 10,000-mile detour, you will have to go through the aforementioned areas that are famous for piracy and require professional armed company if you want to be on the safe side.

Not that it hasn't been done without it, but you know… Furthermore, many insurances won't cover you there since the risks are just too high.

Similarly, the area around Malaysia and the Philippines, which you might encounter during your Southeast Asia travels, bears the same story. No coverage by many insurances for piracy reasons.

Then again, exploring Southeast Asia while avoiding these regions means a few detours and no-go zones.

So if you want to explore the world on your sailboat and don't mind the risk, add these to your route plans.

Obviously, the risk or costs related to security. You will find plenty of sailors arguing that there is no real danger unless you are a cargo ship or a kidnapping worthy target. You will also find plenty who would rather travel in a fleet through there. And plenty who would never set sail towards those places.

Then there is the insurance issue.

With Suez, the upside is the saved time as well as not having to go around the treacherous South African cape waters.

With the Philippines and Malaysia, it's the convenience of being able to go wherever you want to in one of the most beautiful regions worldwide.

See this one as a variant of the Traditional Route and the Pleasure Route.

Some places are cheaper than others. And some places straight up make very little sense to go to.

Going through the Panama Canal is at least a $1,300 expense. Or, there are countries, like Ecuador, where check-in can cost you a $1,000 fee. And last but not least, prices of resources, like food, vary too. The Caribbean is famous for its steep prices in the provisions area.

The prices change, so it would not be bulletproof to give you a precise circumnavigation route exclusively through cheap places. Still, the moral of the story here is that when planning your route, do have a look at the local prices when it comes to check-ins and visas, food and various passes.

The result should be a route you are comfortable with financially. Avoiding the Panama Canal means a detour around the whole of South America, so it rarely pays off. Avoiding Ecuador, on the other hand, won't hinder your progress and save you money. Stocking up on food before getting into the Caribbean is also a sound logistical choice - unless you plan to stay for longer than your stocks can take you.

Saving money can mean detours, inaccessibility of various places, and more thought put into logistics. So it can result in a less elegant route.

On the other hand, being smart about it can result in a much lower bill overall.

Let me start this one by admitting that I don't believe anybody will actually take this route in its entirety, as delineated here. But it serves as an inspiration to those who are perhaps a bit unsure or simply like to combine two different sailing styles.

Some like to cross vast oceans and love to see nothing but the horizon for months. And then some like to stick to coastal waters for most of their journeys. Nothing wrong with that; at least it gives you something to look at any given moment.

And then there is the benefit of relative safety, a port or an anchorage close by most of the time, the ability to resupply whenever you like, to pick up and drop off people, and last but not least the lack of need for a really ocean-worthy boat and equipment.

I'm talking about the coastal cruiser's dream of circling all the world's continents, whereby effectively circumnavigating the globe. Eventually. This is the longest route ever.

The idea is pretty simple. You can go around the world sticking to the coast with no crossings, except for the Norwegian Sea and a few short stretches in Southeast Asia.

Or, if you feel up to it (and want to avoid the freezing northern places), you can cross the Atlantic, the Pacific and keep close to the coasts otherwise.

As mentioned in the beginning, not many will actually take this entire route. But it is not uncommon for circumnavigators to have weeks or months where they do exactly this - stick to the coast and enjoy the country.

Lots and lots of time and resources are needed.

You will constantly be checking into countries and solving visas.

Understand the required paperwork for sailing the world This is an article on the topic of check-ins and paperwork, so have a read through it Read up on global licenses

Some areas are arguably less hospitable than others - the coast of Yemen as an example. So you might want to skip a few.

You don't need a proper ocean exploring boat - an island-hopping model will suffice. Many of the modern ones are capable of long crossings if needed here and there.

You don't need as much equipment as power, water, food, and all that jazz will be available most of the time.

The logistics will suddenly become a whole lot easier. Fewer provisions planning, less spare parts planning, broken stuff won't be a disaster… you get the point.

This is the true world tour.

I liked your article; it raised a lot of good points. I think the article could have benefitted from some maps.

I also think that, throughout the article, you have confused the Canary Islands or Madeira with the Azores. The Azores are not south from Gibraltor or France or Europe. They are 1/3 the way across the Atlantic Ocean, almost due west from Lisbon. The Canaries are south from Gilbrator, France and Europe and most people turn west there for the Caribbean.

Again, I liked the article.

Best wishes.

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Sail Around the World Route – Best Options Explained

Before you ponder your route to sail around the world, think about why you’re even thinking about such an undertaking. 

There are countless sailing routes you can take to circumnavigate the globe, but each one is for a different sort of sailor. The two most common routes are the mid-latitudes “Milk Run” and the high-latitudes journey through the Southern Ocean or Northwest Passage.

Here’s a look at some of these very different trips and the types of sailors and vessels that accomplish each one every year.

Table of Contents

Basic planning factors – winds, currents, and storms, the classic sail around the world route – the milk run, circumnavigating in the southern ocean, an alternate sail around the world route the northwest passage, which sailing routes would you pick for your circumnavigation, sailing routes around the world faqs.

The Basics of Sailing Routes Around the World

First, some lingo. Sailors refer to a sail around the world route as a “circumnavigation.”

Taking a boat around the world requires some gumption. So why do it at all? For some, it is the goal of having done it. For others, it’s a fun way to combine their passions of sailing and travel. Some folks compete in races to see who can do it fastest. And some folks think it would be a good lark and a neat way to see the world.

Whatever reason draws you to the idea of completing a circumnavigation, you aren’t alone. Every year there are rallies or races that you can join to meet up with like-minded people. And for as many people who compete in rallies, there are likely an equal number of people doing it on their own. 

No matter how you cut it, a circumnavigation is made up of numerous legs. So if traveling and seeing the sights is your goal, then it only makes sense to take your time and visit as many places as you can along the way. 

Folks with a limited time frame will inevitably miss something or rush through someplace they want to see. 

For sightseers, the goal of a circumnavigation might be secondary to seeing the places they want to see. In other words, someone with their heart set on circumnavigating might set a schedule of two years to get it done, while another sailor who wants to complete loops in the Atlantic and Pacific might have a lot more time to visit more countries and ports of call. 

Every sailor and every boat comes into this adventure with different goals. Therefore, it’s important to think about your motivations and the sort of circumnavigation that you’d like to have. What’s the most important part to you, and how much money and time can you dedicate to the endeavor? 

Most pleasure boaters contemplating a circumnavigation are interested in the safest route to sail around the world. Part of the safety and enjoyment of the crew comes from planning the trip to follow the prevailing wind patterns around the globe.

When sitting on land, you might think of the wind as unpredictable and variable depending on the day and weather conditions. And while that is true all over the world, at sea prevailing weather patterns tend to be more steady. 

That means by understanding the causes and patterns in the winds, you can use them to your advantage on a circumnavigation. 

For example, let’s look at the North Atlantic circuit. If a yacht wants to depart Europe for North America, its best bet is to head south first and follow the area between 10 and 30 degrees north latitude westbound. Why? Because this is the area where the winds flow from the east almost constantly. Since ships used these winds to get to the Caribbean in the old days, they are still known as the Trade Winds. 

What if you want to go the other way, back to Europe? In that case, your best bet is to head north and make your easterly course between 40 and 60 degrees north latitudes. There, the prevailing winds are westerly and will push you back to Europe. 

While sailboats can sail into the wind, doing so is called “beating” for a reason. It’s rough on the boat and crew; it’s tiring and unpleasant. You’ll have to do it occasionally, but a successful and comfortable passage is usually the result of planning so you don’t have to sail to weather. 

Similarly, you can use the world’s ocean currents to your advantage. If the Gulf Stream can give you a knot or two of an extra push toward Europe, you should take it! It makes a big difference when your normal speed is six knots. Trying to fight against it for any length of time could double your trip planning and make for a very nasty ride.

And then there is the risk of storms at sea. With good trip and weather planning, a boat can circumnavigate without ever experiencing a bad storm at sea.

That requires conservative planning to avoid areas and times of the year when the weather is bad. To do this means you must plan to be in the right places at the right times. Pilot charts are published for every ocean sector on Earth, showing the prevailing winds for any given month and the probability of encountering a severe storm in the area. 

Using pilot charts and the historical prevalence of hurricanes or cyclones, sailors can plan to transit these areas only during quiet times. In other words, no one wants to be in the middle of the North Atlantic during peak hurricane season or during winter gales, but being in the middle of the North Atlantic in May is pretty optimal. 

Likewise, you don’t want to be in the middle of the South Pacific during February when it is peak cyclone season, but June or July is good.

The classic route for circumnavigating is based on the path of least resistance, making it the safest route to sail around the world. These routes utilize the prevailing winds to make as many downwind, fair-weather passages as possible. 

The goal of this route is not speed but comfort and safety. This is the route you take your family on. This is the route that around the world rallies, like the World ARC Rally , use for every trip. 

Starting from the Caribbean, this route travels westbound and keeps close to the equator. Of course, you can start anywhere, but many yachts cross their wakes (begin and end their voyage) somewhere in the Lesser Antilles. 

After crossing the Caribbean Sea, transit is arranged through the Panama Canal. Canal transits are expensive and time-consuming, and they usually involve a broker to arrange all the paperwork and scheduling. 

Before the canal was constructed, the only way to make the journey was to travel south in the Atlantic and pass Cape Horn. There, you can follow Drakes Passage through Argentina’s islands and Patagonia’s wild lands. Many expedition yachts still choose this route to see this remote and beautiful part of the world. 

After the Panama Canal, most yachts take familiar sailing routes across the Pacific . The first stop is the Galapagos Islands. This takes you mostly south along the coast of Central America and across the equator into the Southern Hemisphere.

From the Galapagos, the single longest passage lies ahead–roughly 3,200 nautical miles to the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia. This trip takes most sailboats about 14 days. An alternate route takes you farther south. It doesn’t shorten the trip but allows you to visit Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Pitcairn Islands.

Once in French Polynesia, you can island hop your way through the South Pacific island nations, but with a weary eye on the weather. The point is to avoid the area during cyclone season, roughly the summer months (December through April or so). 

At this point, many yachts find a hurricane hole where they can relax during storm season. Usually, it is time to haul out and complete some maintenance after so many sea miles. Some make it south and out of the cyclone belt to New Zealand or Australia. Others opt to stay in the islands but find a well-sheltered marina or boatyard where they can haul out.

Once cyclone season is winding down, the next big passage awaits. After passing through the Torres Straits, stops in Northwestern Australia and Indonesia welcome you to the Indian Ocean. There are only a few isolated stops after that. Many yachts make one long passage out of it, although many enjoy a few stops, like Cocos Keeling, Maldives, Diego Garcia, or Seychelles.

This is where the route branches in two directions. Traditionally, boats would transit on a northwest course and into the Gulf of Aden. From there, you follow the Red Sea to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean is, of course, one of the most storied cruising grounds on the planet. You can cruise from Turkey and Greece to Italy, France, and Spain, with countless famous ports of call along the way. 

Unfortunately, the route to get there, through the Gulf of Aden and around the Horn of Africa, is home to bands of pirates who have been known to prey on leisure yachts and commercial vessels alike. For this reason, this route has fallen out of favor in recent years. 

Instead, boats head to South Africa. The country makes a good landfall point from which you can travel home or take land excursions to see the rest of Africa. Popular stops on the way are the islands of Reunion and Mauritius. Some folks also like to visit Madagascar.

After rounding the Cape of Good Hope, yachts are back in the Atlantic and can head northwest toward the Caribbean. You can make a few stops along the way, mostly isolated island nations like St. Helena and Ascension Islands. After that, it’s a straight shot back across the equator and to the Windward Islands of the Caribbean. 

When coming from the Mediterranean, boats heat westbound through the Straights of Gibraltar. The next stop is the Canary Islands. How long does it take to sail across the Atlantic? It’s a roughly 17-day passage downwind to the Windward Islands.

Most people take two full years or longer to complete a circumnavigation as described above, but even that only allows a little time to see the sights. So a more realistic number would be four or five years. 

This route isn’t for those looking to get it done in the shortest amount of time. Instead, the Southern Ocean Route is the favored path for those looking to trade a bit of safety for speed. This route, due to the prevailing winds along the route, is completed from west to east. 

Races like the Clipper Around the World , Vendee Globe , and the Golden Globe Around the World Race use this path. It utilizes the open expanses of the Southern Ocean. Once you get into these high latitudes, there are no real landmasses in your way, and you can steer a course all the way around the world in record time.

Of course, the Southern Ocean is not for the faint of heart. High-latitude sailing involves biting cold weather and dangerous gales. You’ll be rounding Cape Horn through Drakes Passage, one of the dicest stretches of water on the planet. 

It’s a punishing stretch of ocean, and boats are often beaten and bruised. Dismastings and equipment failures are common. In other words, a sailor who chooses this route must be ready for anything, capable of handling whatever the sea throws at them, and sailing an extremely well-founded bluewater vessel.

In recent years it has been in vogue to attempt a transit of the Northwest Passage, thereby making it possible to circumnavigate the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Obviously, this is a summertime endeavor only, and even then, only during years when the ice pack has completely melted. This is happening more and more, so the route is gaining popularity.

The leg that makes this possible starts from the United Kingdom going west across the Atlantic to Greenland through the Labrador Sea. The Northwest Passage itself then bisects Canada’s northern territories. Finally, you end up on the northern coast of Alaska. Then, keeping the mainland of North America to port, you continue south into the Pacific Ocean.

From the Aleutian Islands, the most favorable course is to transit to the west coast of North America. After that, you can make your way south along the famous Inside Passage, a network of fjords in British Columbia that can link you to Puget Sound and the Seattle metro area. 

Once in the US, your next steps are southbound transits to Baja, Mexico, or jumps like sailing to Hawaii from California . You can then join the normal routes across the South Pacific islands to Australia or Southeast Asia.

Both the Southern Ocean and the Northwest Passage routes are high-latitude routes that carry more risk than the Milk Run. High-latitude sailing involves dealing with more frequent severe weather systems, stronger winds, and greater variability in the weather in general. They’re also farther from services and more remote, so self-sufficiency is even more vital. 

While you can do the Milk Run in nearly any of best bluewater cruising sailboats , these high-latitudes routes are more comfortable in a robust expedition-level vessel. These are the perfect places for that aluminum sailboat you’ve been dreaming about.

There is much to learn and think about if you want to circumnavigate. If you’re dreaming of sailing the world, consider starting your research by picking up a book or two written by someone who has done it. Here are three stories of circumnavigations, but there are countless others and blogs galore to be found on the internet. 

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Jimmy Cornell is the master of how to sail around the world. His “World Cruising” series of guides includes everything you’d ever need to know, from weather systems and route planning to legal formalities. This book, 200,000 Miles , combines some of those technicalities with a biographical story of his journey.

Sailing Around the World Alone is Joshua Slocum’s story of his journey. It’s not a modern tale–Slocum set out in the late 1890s from Nova Scotia. But his adventure is the OG tale of sailing around the world and is worth a read. 

• Used Book in Good Condition

Lin and Larry Pardey circumnavigated several times (both eastbound and westbound), but if you totaled up the miles they sailed, it would be more like seven times. The difference, of course, is enjoying every port and stop along the way.

While they never wrote a book specifically about sailing around the world, their cruising tales live on in the various tales and how-to guides they produced over the years. 

Capable Cruiser discusses techniques that will get you there, interwoven by the Pardey’s inimitable charm and wit. For more travel inspiration, check out their original series of books: Cruising in Seraffyn , Seraffyn’s European Adventure, Seraffyn’s Mediterranean Adventure, and Seraffyn’s Oriental Adventure.

What route do you take to sail around the world?

There are several ways to circumnavigate, but the most common is the “Milk Run.” This route goes from the Caribbean through the Panama Canal. From there, it heads south to the Galapagos Islands and into the South Pacific. After Tahiti, yachts head to Australia, across the Indian Ocean, and through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea. Finally, leaving the Med, boats cross the Atlantic to the Caribbean to close the circle, or “cross their wake,” as they say.

How long does it take to sail around the world?

The WorldARC around the world sailing rally usually lasts 18 months, but you can do it quicker by selecting fewer stops or taking faster routes. For most sailors, however, the length of the trip around the world really depends on how much they stop along the way and for how long. If the purpose of the trip is to travel and see the world, it makes little sense to rush and do it in the shortest possible time. Many circumnavigations take five or more years. 

How much does it cost per month to sail around the world?

Sailing has been described as the most expensive way to get somewhere for free. The cost to sail around the world is extremely variable–it is impossible to pin down any price. On the one hand, the type of boat makes a difference. The larger the boat, the larger the costs. The lifestyle you choose while sailing matters, too–lavish resort marinas cost more than anchoring away from town. Hiring professionals to do boat maintenance costs more than doing it all yourself. There are ways to do it lavishly and ways to be cheap about it. Comfortable cruising is somewhere in the middle, but where exactly that depends entirely on you. 

How big of a sailboat do you need to sail around the world?

Many solo sailors and couples have circumnavigated in boats less than 30 feet long. Lin and Larry Pardy wrote many novels as they circled the globe on 22-foot-long Seraffyn , a Lyle Hess-designed cutter. The size of the boat has everything to do with your cruising style and budget. So long as the vessel is well-founded and designed to take the rigors of bluewater passages, size matters less than many people think.

Matt has been boating around Florida for over 25 years in everything from small powerboats to large cruising catamarans. He currently lives aboard a 38-foot Cabo Rico sailboat with his wife Lucy and adventure dog Chelsea. Together, they cruise between winters in The Bahamas and summers in the Chesapeake Bay.

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Sailing around the world: Cruising couples’ top tips for a dream voyage

• Helen Fretter
• June 19, 2019

Is sailing around the world with your partner the ultimate bluewater dream? Helen Fretter meets World ARC couples who’ve done just that

Who would you pick as your round-the-world cruising companion? Photo: Tor Johnson

If you could choose anyone to go on a grand adventure with, would it be your life partner? For many couples that’s the ideal.

But what if you don’t have the same level of experience, or one of you isn’t confident to co-skipper? Perhaps you plan to take friends and family with you. But what happens if those plans change halfway round? I talked to World ARC crews near the finish of their circumnavigation to find out how different couples had answered those unknowns over their round the world voyage.

Over the 2017, 2018 and 2019 World ARC rallies (the round-the-world rally organised by World Cruising Club) around 20-30% of yachts set off double-handed. But by the time the fleet reached Tonga or Fiji that proportion had risen to about 50%.

Ruud and Laurie Bosman recruited crew from within the ARC rally after deciding to complete their world voyage

Grenada was a homecoming celebration for the World ARC fleet. While St Lucia marked the end of the 2018-19 rally, Grenada signalled the fleet’s return to the Caribbean. A full circumnavigation for most, 438 days sailing for those who’d completed it in a single World ARC loop.

Some 38 yachts started in St Lucia in January 2018, 16 were gathered in Grenada this March. Some had started in 2017 – or even earlier – but peeled off to linger in the Pacific or return to normal life for a while, then hooked into the 2018 rally on its way past. Others had diverted to explore New Zealand, Ascension Island, or another outpost, before rejoining their fleet.

No matter how they’d done it, all had sailed some 30,000 miles, crossed the Pacific , Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and lived at anchor for months on end.

With very few exceptions, most of the boats belonged to couples taking on their first trip sailing around the world. Some had sailed the entire voyage jointly, on others one partner had flown home for a stage or two. Some had taken crew from day one, others had switched between double-handing and sailing with more aboard. Several started with one plan, and finished with a very different set up indeed.

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Personal space

One such couple was David and Wendy Tipton. A former farmer from Staffordshire, UK, David had built up a recycling business that he sold, enabling them to buy Mischief , a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 479, and sail around the world. There was only one problem: Wendy hated the water and considered herself an inexperienced sailor.

Before they set off on the 2017 ARC transatlantic, Wendy had to learn to swim before she could even do a sea survival course. “It was never my dream to circumnavigate, it was David’s. So I went along with it, but it was totally out of my comfort zone,” she recalls.

Wendy’s initial condition of agreeing to do the World ARC was that they would take a crew to sail Mischief with them. They sent a round robin email to friends and sailing contacts to see who wanted to join them, and garnered an enthusiastic response, with many signing up for different legs. One was a very experienced sailor who sailed with the Tiptons for the first six months, which Wendy says gave her a lot of confidence.

David and Wendy Tipton began their World ARC with crew, but later switched to sailing two-up. Photo: James Mitchell

But 15 months is a long time to share your home, with up to six aboard at times, and Wendy admits having no personal space nearly drove her to breaking point. “I did have my bags packed to go home at one point. I was so fed up. It was nothing to do with the sailing, I was just sick of people.

“We were at the stage of needing down time on our own. It’s very intense – I didn’t appreciate how intense the whole trip would be. You wouldn’t have people living with you for six or seven months, and things that wouldn’t normally irritate you become irritating. For my own sanity I needed some time on our own.”

They decided instead to sail on double-handed from South Africa, and arrived in St Helena bowled over by how smoothly it had gone. “It was an absolute revelation,” David recalls. “The watches worked well, the boat worked well, and we were just asking ourselves why have we not done that before?”

The World ARC can include stop-offs for shoreside adventures including a South African safari. Photo: Haley Haltom

Before switching to sailing double-handed Wendy had sought advice from other crews on the ARC, many of whom had become close friends. She particularly asked the women for honest opinions, and says that they were overwhelmingly positive – with the obvious caveat that it could be more tiring sharing the sailing between just two.

They began their first double-handed passage with David sleeping in the cockpit during his off watches, “just in case she needed me quickly,” he recalls. “But after a few days of that regime she said, ‘You might as well go down below, I’m fine.’”

But things didn’t go so well on one of the next stages, from Cabedelo, Brazil, to Devil’s Island, French Guiana. “It was a bit of a catalogue of events,” he explains. “Our radar stopped working, so we were not able to monitor squalls.

“We had another boat who was monitoring them for us, but one came through that went from 7 to 35 knots and we had a spinnaker up in the dark. It broke the spinnaker halyard, the spinnaker went round the keel, the helm wouldn’t come off autopilot so we broached, an outhaul and a batten in the main broke.”

The Bay of Islands in Fiji’s Lau Group. Photo: Haley Haltom

Dealing with such a litany of problems between just the two of them was unknown territory, but Wendy says that while the situation did scare her, they were able to calmly work through and solve each issue.

“What the World ARC has given us – not just from the easy passages, but from the difficult passages – is the confidence that you could throw most stuff at us and we’d be OK,” David added. When they received the Division A 1st prize for the leg to Grenada, sailors across the fleet voiced their pride in Wendy for the progress she’d made.

Another couple that decided they were better off completing the rally two-up were Dan and Agnes Long from Florida on Smoke & Roses . Dan, a former firefighter, and Agnes, a former florist – hence the boat name – ran their Leopard 47 as a charter boat before the World ARC and were experienced sailing in home waters, both holding US Captain’s licences.

Setting off on the Lagoon 47 Smoke & Roses

Like many, they began their World ARC with trusted friends, and were also joined by their adult daughter for stages. But they later took on an unknown crewmember who had been recommended to them.

“She way overstated her sailing experience,” Dan recalls. “She could not trim sails, and she’d argue with you about it.” The final straw for Dan was waking up to find them sailing 90° off course. When he challenged the crew on deck she replied: “Because it’s faster.”

Fearful that they would run aground or make some other catastrophic error, Dan found himself supervising every watch – defeating the point of having a third person aboard. “So instead of being up for my shift, I’m up for my shift and her shift. But with Agnes [on watch] I’ll sleep through the night because I trust her.”

Having sailed two-up for some of the shorter legs around the Society Islands, the Longs also decided to go double-handed from Cape Town and found themselves easily handling the longer distances, setting a spinnaker for three days straight and covering 200-plus miles a day.

Bringing in reserves

For other couples taking on crew turned out to be a positive switch. Peter and Anissa Pappas, from Wyoming, USA, had never sailed any overnight passages with just themselves aboard their Amel Super Maramu 2000 Callisto before signing up to the rally. Anissa describes herself as a very inexperienced sailor, but they sailed from Grenada to Cape Town double-handed.

Their Amel is set up for single-handed sailing, with push button controls from a protected centre cockpit. The duo sailed conservatively, never over-canvassed. “And we set radar guard zones and cross-track error in case our autopilot started wandering around,” explains Peter. But Anissa still found night watches hard.

Night watches can be a long and lonely experience

“I was always worried if we were going to hit somebody. I never felt totally comfortable with that. I always felt that if something is going to happen, it’s going to happen on my watch.” She says she would frequently wake her husband for a second opinion.

But when one crewmember who had been sailing on another boat found himself without a berth for the leg from Cape Town, the Pappas’s made a snap decision to invite him to join them.

“We’d said no on countless occasions to taking other crew,” recalls Anissa. “It’s been hard [going two-up], especially hard on my husband because everything falls to him. But for us transitioning to crew has been easy, and our new crew has been the easiest person.”

With an extra hand they were soon able to carry more sail area, enjoying having the 52ft ketch flying along under four or five sails, including two spinnakers and a staysail.

The start of the 2018 World ARC Leg 16 heading out of St Helena

“With hindsight, I think we should have started out with crew,” admits Anissa. “Peter and I had not really been on the boat together for enough time to really get all the sails up and learn what we needed to learn. And later maybe – or even maybe not – we would have downsized.

“Two was tough, but we did it. But for couples I would say keep an extremely open mind about bringing crew aboard.”

Roving crew

While the Pappas’s made a sudden decision to take a third hand along, the 2018-19 World ARC was characterised by an unusually high number of crew who joined to sail one boat, and ended up becoming such a fixture of the rally community that they extended their trip by joining others.

Several of the roving crew had sailed on three or four different yachts by the time they reached Grenada. Karen Slater, a former fire service worker from the UK, was a very popular member of the ARC family and was about to join her sixth boat for the final cruise to St Lucia.

Freediving with whale sharks in Namibia. Photo Haley Haltom

Having a floating pool of experienced crew became an invaluable resource for some boats. American retirees Ruud and Laurie Bosman on the Hylas 54 Blue Pearl had originally only planned to sail the first half of the rally.

“But by the time we were in Australia Ruud felt very strongly that he wanted to complete the circumnavigation and do it all at once, and I felt very strongly that I did not want to cross the Indian Ocean,” recalls Laurie.

Both aged 71, the pair never wanted to sail double-handed and had organised crew for the Pacific legs, but no further. “Because we had never planned to do the whole circumnavigation we had made no plans beyond French Polynesia,” Ruud explains.

The unspoilt beauty of the Marquesas. Photo: Haley Haltom

When Laurie returned home to spend a few weeks with family, they invited other ARC crew aboard, some staying for the entire second half of the circumnavigation.

“It’s been quite easy, you are relatively familiar with the people because they have been in the fleet. They have a bit of a reputation, and importantly you know why they’re leaving boats,” he adds.

There are still no guarantees that an experienced ARC crewmember will be a good fit. Flashpoints were usually over domestic niggles like food preferences (several couples commented on how provisioning was much simpler with just two aboard, reducing one area of work).

Another issue for the boat-hopping crews was where their ‘home’ base was during stopovers. Peter Pappas commented: “It’s great having crew when you’re underway, but really when you get to your destination you assume they will get off the boat after a couple of days, so you and your wife can have some privacy, and have your home back.”

Many of the World ARC crew strategically took themselves away during long stopovers: diving in Australia, going on land tours, or even climbing Kilimanjaro during the fleet’s visit to South Africa.

Sharing the load

For those who did sail as a couple, how they divided the roles often reflected home life. Peter and Wendy on Mischief , and Dan and Agnes on Smoke & Roses , had both worked together so were used to spending extended periods of time with each other. Other couples, where one had spent much of the marriage putting in long hours at the office, had a bigger adjustment to make.

Mark and Helen Chatfield sailed Mad Monkey with their son Josh. Photo: James Mitchell

Some had chosen to time their world tour with natural breaks in their children’s education. Mark Chatfield on the Grand Soleil 56 Mad Monkey sailed with his wife Helen as well as his adult son Josh, timing it between Josh finishing school and starting university: “I worked as a sales director, with constant travel. So during the week, his schooling and upbringing, I didn’t see a lot of him – for me this trip was predominantly to get to know him better.”

The majority of boats divided roles along fairly traditional ‘pink and blue’ job lines when in port, with the women in charge of provisioning and domestics, the men in charge of repairs and systems. There were exceptions: on Misto British ex-pat Rosalind Cheetham skippered their Nautitech 443 and was hands-on with maintenance.

At sea the roles tended to shift slightly. Domestic jobs were more frequently shared underway, although the majority of ‘skippers in charge’ were the male partners.

Most couples ate an evening meal together before settling into some kind of night watch system, the most popular being a three or four hours on/off pattern, before reconvening for the 10am radio-net. Many adopted a much more fluid watch pattern during the day, each taking naps whenever needed. Several skippers took longer night watches than their partners, but would set alarms to allow 15-20 minute naps on open ocean legs.

Photo: YachtEmily Morgan.com

On Smoke & Roses Dan and Agnes changed their running rigging so reefs could be taken in and out from the cockpit. “It’s made life a lot easier for me because I was getting up for sail changes no matter who was on watch, every single time. Even with three people on the boat I was getting tired,” explains Dan.

They also modified their safety rules. “We did have a rule about not going out of the cockpit at night, but I was in the Pacific just to move the barber-hauler on the genoa,” recalls Agnes.

Several boats started out with conventional spinnakers and ordered furling Code Zero or asymmetric kites to replace them en route as they became more confident in sailing double-handed.

Suwarrow in the Cook Islands is one of the more remote destinations that the World ARC visited

A positive for many crews of joining a rally – and particularly reassuring for double-handed boats – was the option to ‘buddy boat’ for passages, particularly in areas of high traffic, where there were any concerns about piracy, or when one yacht had a technical issue. Even on the final ‘free cruising’ leg to St Lucia several yachts chose to sail in a loose flotilla to enjoy their friendships.

Experience of a lifetime

Every couple I spoke to emphasised that while the World ARC schedule was intense, and some stages had been very challenging, the rewards were hugely worth it.

“It’s been pretty incredible,” recalls Laurie Bosman from Blue Pearl . “Things like going through the Panama Canal, in your own boat – I get teary when I think about it. Those early mornings where you’ve got the sun rising and the moon setting, and nothing but you, water, sun and moon. You think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”

Swimming with manta rays at Suwarrow in the Cook Islands. Photo: Haley Haltom

“It changes you as a person,” said Wendy Tipton. “You have to improvise, shop for what you can get. We went home for Christmas and I was looking at all my bits and pieces and realised you don’t need it. I’ve been quite humbled by how people actually do live and how happy they are with so little.”

Her husband David added: “If you have the opportunity to do it, you’d be mad not to.”

Getting ready: Things to take or prep before you go

Downwind sails.

Many boats ordered new sails in Darwin, Australia, or South Africa – several of which did not clear customs in time to reach the yachts before they set off on the stage they were ordered for. The most popular were furling downwind sails.

Instruments and electrical systems

Multiple boats had issues with faults on one system triggering an issue on the other – an update to the MFD, for example, causing a fault on the SSB radio.

Bones Black, who runs the Bowman 57 charter yacht Emily Morgan  with his wife, Anna, was widely praised across the fleet for helping troubleshoot and fix problems on almost every yacht. He suggests splitting systems to avoid interference.

“On Emily Morgan , all the comms runs down one side of the boat and all the power supplies run down the other side of the boat,” explains Black.

Likewise he advises against installing AIS and VHF using splitter boxes to share the same antenna: “I would always advise separate antenna, then if you have a problem you can always transfer over.”

Google Maps and Open CPN

Many boats used Open CPN to overlay chart data with satellite images from Google Maps, particularly in areas where charts alone were not reliably accurate, such as Fiji and the San Blas Islands.

Experienced bluewater cruisers Bones and Anna Black run charter yacht Emily Morgan and were a source of expertise for many rally participants

Anna Black, who skippers Emily Morgan , spent a lot of time preparing by looking at cruising blogs and other free resources, such as the Fiji Atlas for Mariners website and Noonsite. She also recommends Fastseas.com for affordable weather routeing.

Bones suggests taking digital and hard copies of the owner’s manual – and, if possible, an installation manual – for every system and piece of hardware on board.

Seagull water filter

Emily Morgan is set up with a double filter (coarse and carbon) of water going into the tanks, then drinking water is filtered a second time through the Seagull unit, so they can refill reusable drinking bottles from the taps.

Finding a quiet spot on Emily Morgan

Several boats had to replace dinghies or outboards in far-flung locations such as Fiji, due to being lost or simply coming apart after weeks of extreme heat and UV. The cost could easily be five times the equivalent price at home.

Washing machine

This was the most recommended ‘luxury’ item, mainly because it avoided wasting precious time in stopovers finding a laundry and dealing with missing items. If you can’t fit a machine, it seems prudent to make friends with a yacht that has one…

Cash savings

Some crews felt the costs had been surprising. Marina fees were higher than many had anticipated, and the social aspect of the rally made a few feel under pressure to eat out more.

David Tipton commented: “You need to know what this is going to cost you. We have a repairs budget of £5,000 every three months, but you only have to start doing a few jobs and that gets eaten up.

“We had a boat that was pretty much under warranty for the whole trip, but a lot aren’t. If you suddenly have a big ticket item, like putting a new engine or gearbox in, you’ve got to have £20-30,000 that you can put your hand on.”

Halyard breakages were commonplace. Bones found undiscovered sharp edges in the rigging had contributed to some halyard failures: “We also have independent blocks for our spinnakers, so as the boat and spinnaker moves the block moves.”

Adding Kevlar reinforced outer covers to halyards and sheets worked well on some yachts, others added padded protection to stop the main chafing on spreaders.

Better Sailing

Best Sailing Routes Around the World

One of the most exciting things you can do in your life is sailing around the world. The joy and freedom you get as well as the experiences you gain are incomparable. However, there are some risks when it comes to sailing around the world. These are rough weather, and seas, and unexpected emergencies. But, you can reduce all of these dangers if you sail along safest routes. So, this article is about providing you the best sailing routes throughout the world.

Keep in mind that traveling around the world can be accomplished in a variety of ways. What matters is that you are well-prepared and have a seaworthy vessel. Also, always prepare a checklist and keep track of your inventory. Make sure the weather is appropriate and that you have your logbook with you at all times. Let’s move on now and see the best sailing routes around the world!

How to Safely Plan Circumnavigation

The difference between success and failure often comes down to route selection. If you pick the proper route and time it correctly, you will experience smooth sailing for the entire trip. And, you will have just the maintenance to worry about. If you take the wrong path, though, you will have your hands full the entire time. Thus, increasing your odds of quitting up. Keep in mind that traveling through the Southern Ocean is the quickest option. This path is quick, but it’s also riskier due to the inclement weather. On the other hand, staying as close to the equator as possible will be a safer route and provides more consistent sailing weather.

It is true that unexpected damages are an inevitable element of sailing. The Atlantic voyage, for example, is more about maintenance than actual sailing ability. The longer you stay out there, the more your boat exposes to the weather, and gear is probably going to get damaged. Similarly, if you intend to travel a longer distance, you will need to bring more provisions and equipment. This implies the boat will be carrying a higher load, which will influence the handling and use up more space. Last but not least, there’s the mental side of things to consider. Though you may feel up to the task at hand, being on the sea for an extended period of time can be challenging. This is whether due to loneliness, the continual presence of people with whom you may disagree, the monotony of the scenery, or the lack of civilization.

The bulk of cruising sailors sail round-the-world voyages from east to west for the simple reason that this route benefits from usually favorable circumstances. The prevailing wind systems will ensure that the majority of sailing happens in trade winds. And, the timing will also avoid being in a risky area during the tropical cyclone seasons.

Remember that the goal is to take the safest route possible. The idea here is to pick the safest route and not only the best route. And since safety is a relative term, let’s have a look at some of the best and safest sailing routes:

Southern Ocean

Keep in mind that sailing south from the Atlantic to the Southern Ocean (Antarctica) and circumnavigating the globe around Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn is the fastest way to sail around the world. To complete the circumnavigation, sail back up north to the Atlantic starting point. Being at sea certainly has risks, some of which you can avoid while others you can’t. The conclusion being that the longer you’re out there, the more likely something will break. Or, you’ll be unable to outrun terrible weather or even run into anything like rubbish or abandoned boats…

Be aware that you need a good crew and an even better boat in order to survive the Southern Ocean. If you’re serious about going, you should first think about why you want to go. It’s not like you can simply get off the boat if you don’t like it. That isn’t a viable choice. Westerly winds, cyclonic storms, and the threat of ice make sailing a really extreme and risky experience. This is because the Southern Ocean is home to some of the roughest seas and unexpected weather found anywhere in the world. 

This route runs south from the European North Atlantic to the South Atlantic. It stays in the Southern Ocean (the one around Antarctica), circuits the world, around the Capes, and then up the South Atlantic, eventually returning to the North Atlantic. But, bear in mind that this is not a picturesque route or one that will take you to the most interesting places in the world. This route can get you around as quickly as possible in the most straightforward manner possible.

As previously said, the primary objective is to complete the voyage safely and somehow quickly. And, this is where the route’s safety lies; since you expose yourself to the risk for the shortest period of time. However, be cautious when approaching Cape Horn, as it is a notoriously difficult location to traverse. And, for those of you who are looking at the globe and thinking this is a bit of a cheat because you don’t truly go around, but circle the globe at its narrow end, know that the length of this path is around 26,000 nautical miles, which is also the length of the equator.

While it is true that it is the quickest path around the world, it is where the icy waters of the Antarctic meet the warm waters of the north. Storms and surges result, which, when combined with icebergs and the fact that the area is remote and so unlikely to provide much assistance, makes for a challenging ocean to navigate. The goal here, as with the Drake Passage, is not to prevent you from entering if you have the skill, but rather to warn you if you don’t.

>>Also Read: Best Sailing Destinations In The World

South Pacific Ocean

Bear in mind that a limited number of cruising boats attempt an east-around circumnavigation against the prevailing winds. Similarly, high-latitude round-the-world expeditions are mostly for ocean racers. As a result, only a few cruise sailors sail south of the three iconic Capes: Horn, Leeuwin, and Good Hope. Only the latter is commonly passed by cruising boats, as the Panama Canal is used for the vast majority of circumnavigations. Those who are adamant about not taking the easy way out can travel to the South Pacific via the Beagle Channel and Southern Chile. Those interested in sailing the Panama Canal route have two options.

The first option is a route via the Eastern Caribbean , Panama, South Pacific, North Indian Ocean, Red Sea, Suez Canal, and the Mediterranean. The second option is a route passing through the Eastern Caribbean, Panama, South Pacific, South Indian Ocean, and the Cape of Good Hope. Boats sailing for Europe in the South Atlantic have the option of returning through the Canaries and Azores, or via the Eastern Caribbean, which is a lengthier voyage.

Both routes offer benefits and drawbacks. The former is easier as you can take advantage of favorable seasons, better weather conditions, shorter offshore journeys, and more convenient stopover locations. In recent years, however, safety concerns in the North Indian Ocean and the Red Sea have discouraged most sailors on a round-the-world cruise. Statistics from the Suez Canal reveal that the number of northbound transits by cruising boats has decreased from 171 in 2010 to 14 in 2017. On the other hand, northbound voyages from Cape Town have increased from 150 to 236. The Cape of Good Hope route, on the other hand, necessitates more careful preparation to take advantage of favorable seasons and winds, the offshore legs are longer, and sailing conditions can be more difficult.

Although sailing around the bottom of Africa may appear challenging, given the junction of two large seas, you can easily surmount the obstacle with patience and proper timing. As a matter of fact, hundreds of cruising boats pass through those seas each year without any accidents.

So, by taking advantage of the more favorable winds around the equator, the safest sailing route around the world is to stay as close to the equator as possible. The Panama and Suez Canals, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, and the Atlantic are all part of this journey. Although the aforementioned route is quick, it is mostly concerned with moving around and not with enjoying your voyage. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, if you’re not in a rush and don’t mind having regular layovers, this one might be for you.

Note that when it comes to stopping, the above route does not allow for many layovers. It keeps you relatively close to the coast, so you don’t have to prepare as much in terms of consumables, spares, and energy. And, if something fails, you can dock and have it repaired at the next available chance. Also, you’ll never be too distant from civilization, as far as circumnavigations go. With all of the ports available, you can safely handle circumstances that might normally be dangerous, such as running out of water or deterioration.

>>Also Read: Is it Dangerous to Sail Around the World?

Caribbean through the Panama Canal

Starting in the Caribbean, sailing towards the Panama Canal, and then crossing the South Pacific Ocean to Australia is another interesting way to sail around the world. The journey then continues on to Southeast Asia via the Indian Ocean, before returning to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean.

This route travels from the Caribbean to Australia via the Panama Canal and through the South Pacific to Australia’s shores. Then through the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and possibly India, and down to South Africa with a few stops along the way. You’ll eventually arrive in the South Atlantic and returning to the Caribbean. If you find yourself in Europe, your first stop will most likely be the Canaries, followed by the Caribbean. Similarly, once you’ve passed through South Africa, you’ll head north to the Canaries before returning to Europe.

Looking at the map, it’s clear that this route isn’t appropriate for speed. But to provide the traveler with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the voyage. You can travel via Panama, stop in Galapagos, visit the Pitcairn Islands, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, and South Africa… and that is only scratching the surface of what you can see. In general, it is a fantastic way to get to know the world from different sides and experience the true traveler’s adventure.

>>Also Read: Australia Sailing Guide (With Itinerary)

North Atlantic Crossing

After the middle of November, the earliest period for an Atlantic passage from the Canaries over the NE trade wind route is after the middle of December. This ensures arrival in one of the Caribbean islands in early December, during the safe winter season. Those who want to stick to the two-year program can only spend around two months in the Eastern Caribbean. This is because you can only cross the Panama Canal in February or early March. The rationale for the strict schedule is because the distance between Panama and the Torres Strait is about 9,000 miles. And, though you can sail this huge length of water in one safe season, you will need a consistent rhythm to do so. There are, however, far too many appealing landfalls along the route. This is because the South Pacific remains the world’s most intriguing cruising region.

Weather plays a big role in selecting when to cross the Atlantic. Also, which route to take, and which sails to bring are equally essential. Because most yachts leave in late November to arrive in time for Christmas, the key priority is to avoid the hurricane season, which runs from June to November. However, the tradewinds in January are generally stronger. The tradewinds will be Force 4 or 5 for a typical voyage. There will be some softer times and a few days of winds of 25 knots or more. Keep in mind that in order to account for variable wind intensities, you will need a variable sail plan. And, note that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The goosewinged sail plan is the most prevalent. Most skippers carry a downwind sail for when the wind is light.

When there is a well-established high pressure, the direct route is faster. This is because it moves far enough away from the high so as to keep the wind but reducing distance. But, keep in mind the less established the high is, the more likely a mid-Atlantic trough or unfavorable winds will occur. So, in this case, it’s advisable to choose a more southerly route. Many racing boats take the northerly path, and the faster the boat, the more probable it will pay off. It does, however, run the risk of colliding with depressions that emerge in the mid-Atlantic.

Bear in mind that you shouldn’t overlook depressions. You must weigh the benefits of going north of the depressions against the possibility of them deepening across the route. A northerly swell is also more likely on this path. The southerly path, on the other hand, is less risky. This is because it has more consistent tradewinds and a smaller danger of a northerly swell.

>>Also Read: Best Time to Cross the Atlantic by Sailboat

Panama to French Polynesia and South Indian Ocean

To get to French Polynesia via Panama, there are two fundamental options. Both of these could fit within the total itinerary. Note that due to the complexity and cost of tight procedures imposed by Ecuadorean authorities, the traditional route to the Marquesas via the Galapagos Islands has been losing favor.

The easier option is to sail nonstop to the Marquesas. Like this, you will have the ideal sailing weather by remaining close north of the equator in March and April. By early June, both routes can arrive in Tahiti, marking the start of the South Pacific’s safe season. After that, when traveling through the Cook Islands and Tonga, try to keep a steady pace. As these are the months when the SE trades are at their most constant, these passages can usually happen at good speeds. You should plan your passages from Fiji onwards to pass through the Torres Strait. But you have to do it before the end of August or early in September if you’re planning to take the Cape of Good Hope route.

With some extra time, this journey may undoubtedly be much more delightful. The first part of the voyage is similar to the Atlantic crossing. I know that more time in the Caribbean and transiting the Panama Canal later would be more rewarding. But, you can use some extra time in the South Pacific to explore the islands of French Polynesia. After Panama, a difficult but rewarding option is to skip the Galapagos Islands and head straight for Easter Island. You can also stop in mainland Ecuador if you have to. The appeal of this route is the opportunity to land at one of the world’s most fascinating places. Moreover, you have the advantage of seeing Pitcairn Island afterward.

Note that the Gambier Islands are the closest landfall in French Polynesia, from where the fastest path to Tahiti goes via the southern Tuamotus. However, missing the Marquesas is a pity, as it is possible to sail directly to the Marquesas from Pitcairn. Then, you can cruise the Tuamotus on the way to Tahiti. If you leave the Society Islands before the end of July, you’ll have time to visit the island groups along the route to Fiji. Also, you’ll be able to take detours to destinations like Suwarrow, Niue, Vava’u, and Samoa.

The crossing of the South Indian Ocean has to follow a similar pattern. Meaning long periods at sea and little time spent on the islands along the way. The start of the cyclone season in November suggests a departure from Mauritius or Reunion. But, no later than the middle of October for the journey to South Africa. The next stage to Cape Town is best in November and December. This is when the weather conditions near the tip of Africa are at their best.

>>Also Read: Most Beautiful Islands in French Polynesia

From the Pacific to South Africa and Europe

When returning to Europe via South Africa you can take one of these three routes. The shortest via St Helena, Cape Verde, and the Canary Islands. Alternatively, an intermediate route directly via the Azores, or a longer route via Brazil, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Azores.

Those wanting to travel to the Mediterranean through the northern route, assuming the safety situation permits, will benefit from the fact that the passage through the North Indian Ocean can take place in January or February. This allows longer time to be spent earlier in the Pacific. Meaning that you can cross the Torres Strait in September or even October, giving enough time to stop at Darwin. Furthermore, you can use it as a base for exploring Australia’s interior. And, also stopping at various Indonesian islands on route to Singapore.

Moreover, preparing for a winter crossing of the North Indian Ocean note that the NE monsoon provides good sailing conditions. Keep in mind that the end of the year will take place in Western Malaysia or Thailand. Your boat will complete its circumnavigation in approximately two years in order to get to Europe. And, after passing through the Red Sea and traversing the Suez Canal in March or April.

Routes in Europe

It is a fact that Europe has many remarkable locations suitable for all sailing demands. With the Mediterranean being the most popular destination, the Bay of Biscay, the North Sea but also the Baltic Sea; there are so many places to choose from.

More locally-based yachts, visitors from outside the area, and rising charter companies have all contributed to the Mediterranean’s steady growth over the previous decade. During the summer, popular destinations such as the Balearic Islands, Croatia, and Greece are full of people. And , even outside of the peak season, boats have trouble securing marina space. Keep in mind that Gibraltar, the Mediterranean’s gateway, welcomed 3,222 visitors in 2010, continuing the growing trend. The number of visiting boats from outside the area, as well as cross-country migration, has increased even more in the Baltic Sea. Despite the still-complicated Russian regulations, 118 foreign boats visited St Petersburg. So, the Med is a really well-known and highly visited destination by many. Let’s move on and see the best sailing routes in Europe:

Sail Along the Meditteranean

For journeys departing from Northern Europe, the best time to sail is during the summer . This is when the North Sea, English Channel, and the Bay of Biscay are at their best. It is possible to depart from Mediterranean ports and Gibraltar as late as October. By that time, anyone aiming to cross the Atlantic, whether sailing directly, via Madeira or via Western Morocco, should be on their way to the Canaries.

The Balearic Islands are certainly a destination that is worth visiting. One of the most peaceful methods to discover the islands and the environment around them is through sailing. And the best-equipped marina for embarking on this trip is Puerto Portals. Mallorca boasts 150 anchorage zones and a plethora of bathing bays and beaches. The toughest part is choosing which ones to use! Es Trenc, Cala Torta, and Cala Varques are just a few of the sites where you can anchor and relax aboard.

Note that in Menorca you can discover stunning seabeds via scuba diving. Cala Turqueta, for example, is a small, intimate environment. Also, the sunset in Cala Saona, Ibiza, is one-of-a-kind. Even more so from a boat’s deck, looking out at the cliffs covered in century-old pine trees. Formentera, on the other hand, is ideal for a mooring for a few days and exploring the island’s shores.

You can then set sail from Mallorca for Croatia’s coast, which is full of islets, and breathtaking scenery. You can also admire vistas of still-active volcanoes. The thrill of crossing the famed Strait of Messina, off the coast of southern Italy, and the Strait of Bonifacio, which separates Corsica and Sardinia, can be challenging but achievable with the right planning. The majority of waves and strong winds are large enough to be visible to the naked eye. Therefore when going through the Strait you must keep an eye out for changes in the water. To summarize, the currents do pose significant challenges. This is because they can be so strong that they strip seaweed off the bottom and occasionally hurl up fish. Today, however, navigation is much safer thanks to weather, tide, and wave forecasts.

Before reaching the Strait of Messina, you can sail around the Aeolian Islands . These are Lipari, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli, and Vulcano. Don’t forget to drink a glass of Malvasia wine, a 2,500-year-old Greek varietal. Also, try a delicious octopus or swordfish recipe with traditional capers, and Salina oil. Nacatuli is a Lipari artisanal sweetmeat that you should also taste during your stay there.

From the Strait of Messina, you can continue to the Adriatic Sea and head for Croatia. Croatia is a popular seafaring country with 6,000 kilometers of coastline. From the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans, this has been a particularly important commercial route. Dubrovnik is a walled city with a subtle lavender and oyster aroma.

But, you can also choose to sail along the Greek coastline in the Ionian Sea. The Ionian islands are situated off Greece’s western coast, south of the Peloponnese. This group of islands includes both large and tiny islands. The most popular islands in the complex are Kefalonia, Ithaca, Corfu, Paxi and Antipaxi, Lefkada, Kythera, and Zakynthos. The Ionian Sea off Greece’s west coast is popular for its long summers, azure anchorages, safe coves, and abundance of tavernas. Thousands of sailors choose this place every year, and it’s easy to see why.

Best Route to Sail Around the World

Keep in mind that one of the safest ways to sail around the world is to start in the south of Turkey . You can then cruise across the Mediterranean, stopping in Greece , Albania, Montenegro, Croatia , and then Italy . After that, you’ll travel to Corsica , Mallorca, Gibraltar, and the Atlantic Ocean if you wish to. Then, to Cape Verde and Barbados in the Caribbean, before continuing on to the Pacific Ocean via the Panama Canal.

This route also takes you to French Polynesia, New Zealand , the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea. Also, to the south of India, South Africa, and back to Turkey. This is one of the most gorgeous itineraries, and it allows you to stop in a variety of countries along the way. It is for this reason that this path is the most secure. In many cases, it allows you to cruise close to the coastline. You can also avoid bad weather by docking in neighboring marinas.

>>Also Read: Best Sailing Destinations in Europe

What Routes to Avoid

There aren’t in fact many routes that would pose a severe risk. There are, however, points along the way where you might wish to take so as to cut corners in order to save time. But, it’s advisable not to do so. So, you might want or have to pass the below-mentioned spots. However, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before doing so!

• The Gulf of Aden near Somalia is basically a pirate territory. Almost everyone will highly advise you to avoid it. This is because it poses a man-made risk unlike anywhere else on the planet. But, why many sailors use it to get from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Sea or vice versa? Because the alternative is a 17,000-kilometer detour around the whole African continent.
• The Cook Strait and the Drake Passage are also extremely unpredictable. The Cook Strait is a passage between the North and the South islands of New Zealand. In general, these waters are the most unpredictable in the world.
• The Drake Passage, which runs between the southernmost tip of America and Antarctica, is similar. This is a dangerous zone because of high winds, strong currents, and the possibility of icebergs. Of course, you can navigate it without causing severe damages, but it takes some expertise. If you’re not sure, just attempt doing it.
• The Timor Sea has 100 storms per year! If you travel north of Australia into Southeast Asian regions you have to be careful. This is because 100 storms a year is not uncommon in this region. Even large oil rigs must be built differently there to survive the continual inclement weather. Also, worker evacuations to the coast are a common incident.

Best (and Safest) Sailing Routes Around the World – The Bottom Line

So, these are the most common and the best routes that you can take in order to sail around the world. Of course, the time it will take you to do it can not be accurately determined. As most sailors quickly discover, there are so many temptations along the road that voyages frequently last three, four, or even more years. Bear in mind that the major goal of all these sail-around-the-world voyages described here is to demonstrate that a two-year circumnavigation may be planned in complete safety. Moreover, with good timing and discipline to ensure that you are always in the correct location at the right time.

The important thing is to correctly plan ahead, organize the whole route, have all necessary safety equipment and a robust, seaworthy vessel. And, just set sail in order to explore the world aboard your floating companion! Don’t ever get discouraged, with the appropriate planning everything is possible!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Why the Baltimore Bridge Collapsed So Quickly

Just shy of half past 1 in the morning, the MV Dali , a giant container ship, was sailing gently out of the port of Baltimore when something went terribly wrong. Suddenly, lights all over the 300-meter-long vessel went out. They flicked on again a moment later, but the ship then began to veer to the right, toward one of the massive pylon-like supports on the Francis Scott Key truss bridge—a huge mass of steel and concrete that spans the Patapsco River.

The Dali ’s lights went out a second time. Then the impact came. The ship plowed into the support, with large sections of the bridge’s main truss section instantly snapping apart and falling into the river. It took just 20 seconds or so for the structure to come down.

Now, a major US port is in disarray, and several people who were working on the bridge at the time of its collapse are missing. A rescue operation is underway. President Biden has called the disaster a “terrible accident.” Ship traffic is currently stuck on either side of the crash site, and a major roadway through Baltimore has been cut off.

“It’s a dreadful tragedy and something you hope never to see,” says David Knight, a bridge expert and specialist adviser to the UK’s Institution of Civil Engineers. But commenting on footage of the bridge collapse , he says he is not surprised by the manner in which it crumpled.

Large steel structures may seem invulnerable, but steel, explains Knight, is relatively lightweight for its size. As soon as it is pushed or pulled the wrong way with enough force, it can fold like paper. In this case, the Francis Scott Key Bridge was a “continuous,” or unjointed, bridge that had a 366-meter-long central truss section. (Truss bridges use steel beams, arranged in triangular shapes, to support their load.) The central truss was made up of three horizontal stretches, known as spans, with two sets of supports holding these above the water. It was the third-largest structure of its kind in the world.

Kate O'Flaherty

“When you take a support away, there is very little in the way of robustness,” says Knight. “It will drag down, as we saw, all three spans.” The separate approach spans remain standing. There is nothing in Knight’s view that immediately suggests any structural problem with the bridge. An engineering firm, Hardesty & Hanover, confirmed to WIRED that it performed an inspection of the bridge in 2019, and that other inspections have been carried out since, but did not provide any additional details on the state of the structure. WIRED has approached H&H for further comment. In June last year, the US Federal Highway Administration rated the condition of the bridge as satisfactory .

The immense force of the container ship impact should not be underestimated, adds Knight. Such vessels require a lot of power and time—perhaps many minutes—to come to a complete stop. The Francis Scott Key Bridge was completed in 1977. In more recent decades, bridge engineers have commonly incorporated defenses to reduce the potential damage by ship strikes when bridges are erected in similar locations, Knight says. These include hydraulic barriers and additional concrete around the base of bridge supports, for instance. However, even with such fortifications in place, heavy strikes can still cause devastating damage.

It is not clear why lights turned off and on again on the Dali , a Singapore-flagged ship built in 2015. “That is an indication of a massive problem,” says Salvatore Mercogliano, a maritime historian at Campbell University in North Carolina and a YouTuber who has analyzed the crash .

At the time of the accident, two pilots—mariners who board a ship to help it navigate particular stretches of water, including in and out of ports—from Baltimore were on board. The Dali was broadcasting its position publicly via the automatic identification system (AIS) and was traveling at a speed of over 8.5 knots. It then slowed to around 6 knots in the moments before the crash, according to AIS data .

Both pilots and all crew members on the Dali are accounted for. There are no reports of injuries, the ship’s management company, Synergy Group, said in a statement on March 26.

ABC News reports that the crew of the vessel made a desperate mayday call in an attempt to warn transport officials that the crash was about to occur. A report from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, seen by ABC, says the Dali “lost propulsion” and that the crew were aware they had “lost control” of the ship. Maryland governor Wes Moore told reporters that , thanks to the mayday call, officials were able to stem the flow of traffic over the bridge, an intervention that he says “saved lives.”

Mercogliano says it is very difficult for ships of this size to make rapid adjustments to their trajectories. Video footage shows a sudden outpouring of smoke from the vessel’s stack, indicating a change in engine activity of some kind. What is particularly disturbing is that, in this case, the vessel ends up plowing straight into one of the key supports for the bridge, clearly off course. No information as to why this happened has become public.

Photographs of the aftermath show the bow of the ship pinned beneath fallen sections of the bridge . The anchor chain is visible, meaning that at some point the anchor was dropped, though it is not certain whether this happened before or after impact. The chain appears to be at an angle, however, which Mercogliano says could be a sign that it was dropped shortly before the crash and dragged for a brief time.

Lawyer James Turner of Quadrant Chambers in London specializes in, among other things, ship collisions. He says that there would have been no automated systems on board a merchant ship of this kind able to prevent the impact. Information from radar, AIS, and visual observations would have been available to the crew, however.

But data-collecting systems may now reveal exactly what happened. As on airplanes, commercial ships have data and audio recorders on the bridge, which are often a key source of information for investigators post-incident. “The master will hit a button and that ensures that the last two hours of audio recording are preserved, as well as all the data from the various parts of the ship, like the engine and steering and so on,” explains Turner. “That can be downloaded and queried.”

He adds that estimates of the ship’s speed at the time of the incident as recorded by AIS are likely “99.99 percent accurate.”

For now, the focus of responders will be on locating survivors from the fallen bridge. Two people have been rescued, one of whom is in the hospital. Six construction workers remain missing .

The disaster has come at a difficult time for shipping, with drought afflicting the Panama Canal and Houthi attacks striking multiple vessels in the Red Sea in recent months. Somali piracy is on the rise again , also. The grounding of the Ever Given in the Suez Canal is very much still within recent memory—it occurred a mere three years ago.

The Port of Baltimore insists in a statement that it has not been shut down—road vehicles are still operating within the port—however, all ship traffic in and out is suspended until further notice. AIS data reveals around a dozen commercial vessels at anchor outside the port, their entry now blocked by the stricken bridge and the Dali . It will take some time for the US Army Corps of Engineers to remove the steel pieces of the bridge, which present a significant threat to passing vessels, from the river.

“Whatever ships are in the port are now stuck,” says Mercogliano, who notes that Baltimore is an important port in terms of car deliveries and coal exports.

Overall, he argues, maritime operations are extremely safe today, though the volume and velocity of trade mean that when things go wrong it can be especially serious.

“We move goods a lot faster than ever before, and there’s very little margin for error,” he says. “When there is a mistake, the mistakes tend to be very large.”

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March 27, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapse

By Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Elise Hammond , Tori B. Powell and Aditi Sangal , CNN

Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has moved here .

Here's what you should know about the Key Bridge collapse

From CNN staff

Officials recovered the bodies of two construction workers who were on Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed early Tuesday morning after a 984-foot-long cargo ship collided into a pillar.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the collapse Wednesday " a global crisis ."

"The national economy and the world's economy depends on the Port of Baltimore. The port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in the country," Moore said.

Here's what you should know:

• The victims: The six people who are presumed dead were from Mexico Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, according to Col. Roland L. Butler Jr, the superintendent of Maryland State Police. Two bodies were recovered and have been identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes from Mexico and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera from Guatemala. The two workers were filling potholes on the bridge and were later found trapped in a red pickup truck in about 25 feet of water, Butler said. The FBI is handling notifying the victims' families, Butler said.
• Recovery efforts: Authorities are pausing search efforts for the four other workers who are presumed dead, because additional vehicles are encased in concrete and other debris, making it unsafe for divers, Butler said. Once salvage operations clear the debris, divers will search for more remains, he said.
• The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the fatal incident, according to the agency's chair Jennifer Homendy. During a Wednesday news conference, Homendy said there were 21 crew members and two pilots on board the Dali cargo ship when it crashed into the bridge. She also said a senior NTSB hazmat investigator identified 56 containers of hazardous material, and that some containers are in the water. The agency received six hours of voyage data from the ship and the investigation could take 12 to 24 months to complete, Homendy said. She emphasized that NTSB will not analyze information collected or provide conclusions while on scene of the collapse.
• Looking forward: Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said rebuilding the bridge will not be "quick or easy" but that it will get done. He said there are four main focus points ahead: reopening the port, dealing with supply chain issues until its reopening, rebuilding the bridge and dealing with traffic issues until the bridge is rebuilt. Biden  pledged the full support  of the federal government in the response and recovery efforts. His administration has already conveyed a sense of urgency to open up federal funding to remove debris and ultimately rebuild the bridge. Maryland has submitted a request to the Biden administration for emergency relief funds "to assist in our work going forward," Moore said Wednesday.

It's almost impossible to place people on the bow of ship due to the unstable structure, fire official says

 From CNN's Sarah Engel

Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said Wednesday that the cargo ship's bridge structure and containers at the bow remain unstable.

"It's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, and very dangerous, to place people on the bow of that boat right now," Wallace told CNN's Kaitlan Collins.

"Naturally, we're still very cognizant of the fact that there are hazardous materials on board the vessel itself," Wallace said, alluding to the National Transportation Safety Board saying earlier that 56 containers were carrying hazardous materials.

Wallace said his team is relying heavily on aerial recognizance, including drones. "That's the only way we're able to see in," he said.  

He added that the aerial surveillance has "been able to really assure us right now we have no [chemical] reactions on board." 

"It's just utter devastation," NTSB chief says of the bridge collapse site

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, called the site of the Key Bridge collapse "devastating."

"It's pretty devastating, certainly, seeing not just what's going on with the cargo containers, but just looking at what was a bridge span — three bridge spans that is pretty much gone. It's just utter devastation," she said at Wednesday evening's news briefing.

She added that she is thinking of families who lost loved ones and those who are waiting to reunite with their lived ones.

NTSB interviewed the Dali's captain and some other crew members today, agency chief says

The National Transportation Safety Board has interviewed the ship's captain, his mate, the chief engineer and one other engineer today, according to Chair Jennifer Homendy.

The two pilots on board the Dali at the time of collision will be interviewed tomorrow, she added.

Cargo ship's voyage data recorder is basic when compared to an airplane's, NTSB chair says

From CNN's Tori B. Powell

The voyage data recorder on the cargo ship Dali was a "newer model" but is considered basic when compared to that on an airplane, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

"But it is very basic compared to say, a flight data recorder, where we would have 1,000 parameters," she said at a news conference on Wednesday.

The NTSB chief investigator Marcel Muise added:

"It's not a ship-wide system recorder, so most of the sensors that are being recorded are from the bridge. So things like GPS, the audio, rudder feedback, rudder commands are recorded on there. But not engineering, the temperature of each cylinder, power distribution sensors."

There were no tug boats with Dali at the time of the collision. That's normal, NTSB chief says

There were no tugs with Dali when the cargo vessel collided with Baltimore's Key Bridge, which is normal protocol, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

Remember: At 01:26:39 on Tuesday, Dali's pilot made a general very high frequency (VHF) radio call for tugs in the vicinity to assist, the NTSB investigator Marcel Muise had said.

"The tugs help the vessel leave the dock, leave the port and get into the main ship channel. And then they leave. Once it's on its way, it's a straight shot through the channel. So there are no tugs with the vessel at the time. So they were calling for tugs," she said.

NTSB chair says she saw some containers that were carrying hazardous materials in the water

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said she did see some of the 56 containers that were carrying hazardous materials in the water.

When asked how many

When asked how many containers of hazardous materials were in the water, Homendy said:

"I did see some containers in the water, and some breached significantly on the vessel itself," she said. "I don't have an exact number, but it's something that we can provide in an update."

Homendy said that a preliminary report should be out in two to four weeks.

This post has been updated with more quotes from Homendy.

Bridge did not have any redundancy, unlike the preferred method for building bridges today, NTSB chair says

Baltimore's Key Bridge did not have any redundancy, which is included in the preferred method of building bridges in the present day, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

"The bridge is a fracture critical," she explained. "What that means is if a member fails that would likely cause a portion of, or the entire bridge, to collapse, there's no redundancy. The preferred method for building bridges today is that there is redundancy built in, whether that's transmitting loads to another member or some sort of structural redundancy. This bridge did not have redundancy," Homendy said.

There are 17,468 fracture critical bridges in the United States out of 615,000 bridges total, she said, citing the Federal Highway Administration.

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How the Baltimore Bridge Collapse Is Affecting Global Supply Chains

The pause in maritime traffic at the Port of Baltimore adds one more point of pressure for companies already affected by Panama Canal bottlenecks and attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

Bridge Collapse Affects Supply Chains

Susan Walsh | AP

Loss of maritime traffic at Port of Baltimore could cost economy $9 million a day.

By Simona Stan | The Conversation

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, has put a spotlight on the Port of Baltimore, one of the busiest harbors in the U.S. , which paused shipping and immediately halted all vessel traffic in and out.

The port remained open to trucks following the incident, but the loss of maritime traffic is expected to cost $9 million a day . The overall economic toll is likely to be higher as billions of dollars of goods are rerouted amid the prospect of supply chains being snarled for months . It will also mean a loss of tax revenue for the city and state.

The Conversation asked Simona Stan, a supply chain and logistics expert at the University of Montana, to explain the short- and long-term impacts of the crash on supply chains.

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How Important Is the Port of Baltimore?

The Port of Baltimore is the ninth largest U.S. port by overall trade volume. In 2023 alone, it moved around 50 million tons of goods between the U.S. and other countries, much of it in large shipping containers, like those stacked on the ship that rammed into the bridge.

Although it’s smaller than other ports on the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico, it still plays a critical role in processing U.S. international trade traffic. That’s especially true for some products, such as automobiles, heavy machinery and coal . It also handles a large share of U.S. sugar imports .

What’s the Short-Term Impact of Its Closure On Supply Chains?

The immediate impact will be felt by the 15,000 or so workers in the port and about 140,000 others who depend on it. It doesn’t mean they’ll be laid off, but drastically less traffic would mean less work to go around.

Companies and consumers should expect some delays for packages that would have otherwise been processed by the port. How long depends on how much time it takes for ships to be rerouted to other terminals, but it should only add a matter of days or up to a week or two.

Baltimore accounts for only 4% of overall East Coast trade , so it shouldn’t have a major impact. Dealers will probably experience some delays receiving imported cars and light trucks, but things should be resolved within days or weeks.

What’s the Long-Term Impact?

The problem is that supply chains have been under stress from multiple directions lately.

Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Panama Canal bottlenecks have lengthened delivery times and increased costs for companies that rely on East Coast ports.

The pause in maritime traffic at the Port of Baltimore adds one more point of pressure for trade in the region. This may lead more shippers that have a choice to send more freight through West Coast ports, which have not suffered much from the Red Sea attacks and Panama problems.

This could also mean more business for trucking and rail companies if it means they have to transport more goods from the West to East Coast.

How Does This Supply Chain Shock Compare With Other Recent Ones?

From a supply chain perspective, this was a freak accident. It’s dramatic, it’s graphic, and it forces people to pay attention to the issue.

But unlike the Red Sea attacks or the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, which have led to lingering supply chain problems, fallout from the bridge collapse will be temporary.

That said, we’ll likely see public pressure on companies to try to prevent such a thing from happening again – even though the risk of ships striking bridges is very low.

Simona Stan , Professor of Marketing, University of Montana

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article that was originally published on March 27, 2024.

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How to travel around the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore: A look at the traffic impact and alternate routes

By Rohan Mattu

Updated on: April 1, 2024 / 8:13 AM EDT / CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore early on the morning of March 26  led to a major traffic impact for the region and cut off a major artery into and out of the port city. 

Drivers are told to prepare for extra commuting time until further notice.

Alternate routes after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse

Maryland transit authorities quickly put detours in place for those traveling through Dundalk or the Curtis Bay/Hawkins Point side of the bridge. The estimated 31,000 who travel the bridge every day will need to find a new route for the foreseeable future. 

The outer loop I-695 closure shifted to exit 1/Quarantine Road (past the Curtis Creek Drawbridge) to allow for enhanced local traffic access. 

The inner loop of I-695 remains closed at MD 157 (Peninsula Expressway). Additionally, the ramp from MD 157 to the inner loop of I-695 will be closed. 

Alternate routes are I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) for north/south routes. 

Commercial vehicles carrying materials that are prohibited in the tunnel crossings, including recreation vehicles carrying propane, should plan on using I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between Essex and Glen Burnie. This will add significant driving time.    

Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge? 

The Key Bridge crosses the Patapsco River, a key waterway that along with the Port of Baltimore serves as a hub for East Coast shipping. 

The bridge is the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore's Harbor and the final link in Interstate 695, known in the region as the Baltimore Beltway, which links Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

The bridge was built after the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel reached capacity and experienced heavy congestion almost daily, according to the MDTA. 

Tractor-trailer inspections

Tractor-trailers that now have clearance to use the tunnels will need to be checked for hazardous materials, which are not permitted in tunnels, and that could further hold up traffic. 

The MDTA says vehicles carrying bottled propane gas over 10 pounds per container (maximum of 10 containers), bulk gasoline, explosives, significant amounts of radioactive materials, and other hazardous materials are prohibited from using the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895).  

Any vehicles transporting hazardous materials should use the western section of I-695 around the tunnels, officials said. 

• Francis Scott Key Bridge
• Bridge Collapse
• Patapsco River

Rohan Mattu is a digital producer at CBS News Baltimore. Rohan graduated from Towson University in 2020 with a degree in journalism and previously wrote for WDVM-TV in Hagerstown. He maintains WJZ's website and social media, which includes breaking news in everything from politics to sports.

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How to Sail Around the World

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Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Sailing around the world can be the experience of a lifetime - an adventure that lets you know you are living life to its fullest and not settling for a life that is too dull and ordinary. However, getting on a boat and sailing around the world is not something you can do a week after you decide you want to do it. Is sailing around the world something that an ordinary person without a lot of money can do at all?

You might worry that sailing around the world is only for the rich. Getting your own boat costs a fortune, and you might fear that without your own boat, it is hard to find an opportunity to go on a long sailing voyage. However, it is easier to find a crew and sail around the world on someone else's boat than you would think.

One of the best ways to sail around the world without having a lot of money is to volunteer on a sailboat. The work that you do on the boat may be enough that the crew will take you for free. Volunteering to work on a sailboat might be the single best way to sail around the world without a lot of money.

Other options are paying money to be part of a crew by sharing costs, finding friends that have sailboats, volunteering on a research boat, or paying a boat off over time if you have the income. People with the right skills, even if they are only cooking or knowing how to be a good deckhand, will find it easier to become part of a crew.

Table of contents

How to sail around the world without a boat

If you really want to sail around the world, you can find a way to do it. A sailing trip around the world is a realistic, achievable adventure. You merely have to be serious about doing it.

It is not the same as a trip to space - that you might not be able to achieve even if you are determined to do it. Sailing around the world is something an average person can do if they plan it out and look for an opportunity.

Volunteering to be on a boat

If you have a lot of sailing experience, it might not be difficult for you to find a crew to sail around the world with. Your nearest marina could very well be looking for deckhands. Not every boat will be heading off on an around the world trip, but some of them might be.

Many boats sailing around the world need an extra crew member and will be happy to take you if you have a bit of sailing experience. People underestimate just how much demand there is for volunteer crew members.

When a couple of wealthy people want to sail around the world, they don't necessarily want to do it themselves. Keeping a sailboat going with very few people on board is hard work. If there are only two sailors, they will have to take turns sleeping to keep the boat going safely.

A third or fourth crew member can mean the difference between a pleasant voyage and an exhausting one. Not everyone who sails around the world has a mega yacht and a large crew. They might have a smaller boat and only need a third person.

The best part of volunteering on a boat is that most of the time, it isn't even hard work. Sometimes you will steer the ship; other times, you will do some chores. It is not difficult to do this.

The fun you will have massively outweighs the work you will do. You will get to explore islands, see many different countries, meet new people, and end your voyage with stories to tell. Don't worry about doing unpaid work - it is more than worth it.

Paid work on a sailboat is also possible to get, but you must have quite a bit of sailing experience. Volunteering is a more realistic way of traveling around the world than looking for paid work on a boat.

Sailing around the world on a friend's boat

One disadvantage of sailing around the world as a volunteer is the possibility of not getting along with the people you travel with. While you might like the people you volunteer for very much, there is a chance that you will not. If you have the opportunity, traveling around the world on a friend's boat should be your first choice.

If you go off on shorter sailing voyages, you will meet people that have the resources to sail. Hopefully, you should know the right people when someone decides they want to sail around the world. They might be happy to take you along for free.

Being out at sea with someone you do not end up liking is sometimes a problem even if you know the person a little bit in advance. Even if you like each other now, you might not like each other when you are out to sea together for weeks, months, and years. Don't let this scare you away from going on a long sea voyage, but be confident that you can get along with the person before you head out to sea for years.

Save enough money and get a boat with your friends

While a sailboat that you can take around the world costs around $75000, this is not such a fortune if you split the cost between several people. If you and five of your friends want to sail around the world, it will only cost you $15000 each to get a seaworthy boat. $15000 isn't exactly pocket change, but you might be able to save that in a reasonable amount of time if you cut your costs.

If you had started saving a few years ago, you and your friends would have enough money to pay for the entire trip now. The best time to start saving was years ago; the next best time to start saving is today. If you have friends that have the same dream of sailing around the world, you might be able to talk them into making a serious plan to do it.

Sail around the world on a research ship

You don't have to be a scientist to serve on a research ship that studies marine wildlife. Such vessels also need deckhands, cooks, and so on. You will probably have to volunteer rather than find a paying job, but you will still be able to sail to many locations, perhaps even around the world, for free.

Offer your skills as a cook

Cooking is one of the best skills you can have if you are looking for a crew to sail around the world with. If you are an excellent cook with a bit of sailing experience, you have a good chance of becoming part of a crew. You need to be able to improvise and cook something tasty from the food you have available.

You do not always have to be a certified chef to cook on a sailing ship, merely being a good cook is enough. Only a larger ship might require their cook to be a certified chef, and even then, that is not always the case.

Teach the children of families sailing around the world

If a family is sailing around the world with children with them, they might not have time to homeschool the children. Such families will bring a teacher with them. This is less likely than some of the other options, but if you would be good at being a nanny and teacher on a sailboat, you might be able to find the opportunity.

Pay to be part of a crew

A crew might be happy to take you if you can pay for your share of the cost of the voyage. This may be expensive, but it is much more affordable than getting your own boat.

The daily cost of a trip for a single person might be $20, $50, or $70. Don't get ripped off by people trying to charge a lot more than that. They should not be charging you a very high daily cost, and are trying to make a profit from you if they do.

Paying to be part of a crew is a good idea if you are offered a fair price. It can add up to a lot of money if you are out to sea for a long time, but it is cheaper than buying a boat yourself.

Can you sail around the world on a rented sailboat?

Possibly not. A rented sailboat may have restrictions on where you can sail it, and you might not be able to rent it for long enough to circumnavigate the globe.

Then again, some people might have more luck than others. Give it a chance - try to find a sailboat you can rent for a long time and sail anywhere at a reasonable price - but this is not always the best option.

What if I have no experience on a sailboat?

You are not likely to be offered the opportunity to go on an around the world trip if you have no sailing experience. Also, not everyone loves being out to sea, and you should take a shorter voyage to know whether or not you would like it first. A shorter voyage will also get you the experience you need to find a crew for a longer voyage.

When you travel across the world at the slow speed of a sailboat, it makes you aware of just how large the world truly is. The world is a huge and mostly empty place where you can sometimes sail for days and not see another boat. Even though you can see for miles in each direction and travel many miles each day, a long time can go by without you seeing a single ship.

If you think you would love sailing, there is a better than even chance that you will. However, other people can find sailing too tiring. The crew has to keep the boat going 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whether it is pouring rain out or not.

As well as there being a lot of work involved in sailing, there is also the possibility that you might find sailing boring, as it is not fast-paced. Probably, those who think they will love sailing will end up loving it - but there are no guarantees. Don't go off on a long voyage unless you know that you are happy on a short journey.

How can I get sailing experience if I have no sailing experience?

It may be a challenge, but you do have a chance of getting on a boat even if you have never been on a ship before. Don't lie about having any previous experience; instead, look for a crew that will accept a sailor without experience.

Sometimes, even an inexperienced sailor can find a boat just by walking around at the docks. If you live in or near a sailing town, you might be able to find a boat very quickly. Present yourself as a likable and trustworthy person, and you have a chance of getting on a boat with no sailing experience.

A shorter voyage can be a step towards a long one

After you get on a sailboat for the first time, you will probably decide you love it. You will love the escape from ordinary life, and how the night sky looks away from street lights. You will not usually think sailing is difficult or slow-paced.

Hopefully, you can meet the right people and learn enough about sailing that you are included on a trip around the world when someone you know decides to go. You do not need to go on a lot of shorter sailing trips before you sail around the world; you just need some rather than no experience.

How to sail around the world if you have a boat already

If you already have a boat, then you can get to the fun part a lot more quickly. There are still things to take care of in advance and to be mindful of while at sea, but you can get to your adventure sooner rather than later.

What route should you take sailing around the world?

Usually, people sail around the world on an eastward route. An eastward route is with the wind, so a westward route is more difficult. You can choose to take whatever route you want, but most people take an eastward route and follow the wind.

An eastward route means that you will sail from west to east, so you will be sailing west on an eastward route. If you are setting sail from the United States, you will first sail to the Panama canal and then sail west from there across the pacific.

After crossing the pacific, you should be north of Australia. Sail from there across the Indian Ocean and around the cape of good hope. From the cape, you can sail northwest again, eventually reaching the United States.

You can choose to sail to many other places as well, depending on how long you want to be at sea. For example, you could choose to sail from southern Africa up to Europe and the Mediterranean before returning to the United States.

One common alternative to the typical eastward route is to sail through the red sea and the Mediterranean rather than around South Africa. This is a somewhat faster route than sailing around the cape of good hope. Don't attempt this unless it is currently safe, as there are pirates off the coast of East Africa.

If you are looking for a more challenging route, you could sail under south America instead of using the Panama canal. A more daring option is to take the northwest passage and sail around North America. These routes take longer, and if you take the northwest passage, it is risky to sail through the arctic water.

How long does it take to sail around the world?

You can sail around the world in about 15 months, but it's better to spend a few years at sea and not rush the trip. If you try to make the trip in less than two years, you will not be able to stop anywhere for any length of time, as any delay means that hurricane season will cut you off for the rest of the year.

How much does it cost to sail around the world with your own boat?

While you are out to sea, you will spend $3000, $2000, or at the very least $1000 per month. If you try to spend only $1500 per month or less, you might have a lot of trouble. Higher numbers are more realistic, and if you stop a lot, the monthly cost can easily go over $3000.

You will also have to buy equipment, which adds to the cost of your boat and the daily cost of living. Equipment can cost you more than $15000, and it is dangerous to be out to sea with shoddy equipment. You will also be charged a fee - more than $1000 - when you cross the Panama canal .

You will also run into other fees while you are out to sea. Having your boat tied down during a hurricane will cost you around $500. You will also have to pay for storage, and you will run into other fees at ports.

Repairs are another part of your expenses, as you may have to pay $1000 or $2000 to fix your autopilot or engine. If you want satellite internet while you are out to sea, this will cost you about $120 per month, and you will only be able to use a very small amount of data. Nonetheless, $3000 a month is more than enough to pay for all of these expenses, and $1500 per month might be enough if you can keep your costs low.

Take everything into account, or else your expenses may be higher than you planned. You might rent a car when visiting a country, have to pay for medical expenses, or go to bars and restaurants. Expenses can appear suddenly and unexpectedly.

Some people also like to fly home during the middle of a long sailing trip. They want to get away from the sea for a while and then return to their boat and continue. Flying home only once or twice might not make your trip vastly more expensive.

Know exactly where you are going before you set sail

A sailing trip around the world has to be taken seriously and planned out properly in advance. You want to see as much of the world as possible on your adventure, so plan accordingly. When heading across the pacific, most sailors want to see Bora Bora, Tahiti, Samoa, and other famous pacific islands.

Estimate where you will be on each month of your trip

You should make a timeline even if you do not stick to it. You should know roughly where in the world you will be during each week or month of your journey. Without knowing where in the world you are going to be each month, it is not even easy to know how long you will be out to sea for.

Timing is also crucial for avoiding hurricanes. Sailing is an adventure in part because it is fairly dangerous. Don't make it any more dangerous than it typically is.

You absolutely have to avoid sailing through hurricane-prone parts of the world during hurricane season. Hurricanes can and do kill foolish sailors. You must time out your trip so that you sail through hurricane-prone parts of the world when there is no risk of a hurricane that time of year.

Take the wind direction into consideration. You can sail against the wind, but it is easier to sail with it. Know which way the wind will blow during each part of your journey.

Know as much about each place you are sailing through as possible

Is it safe to dock in each of the countries you plan to stop in? Some of the countries you are planning to stop in may be dangerous.

Are all of these countries considered safe for small groups of sailors? The last thing you want is to be taken advantage of somewhere where the law might not be able to help you.

Take care of everything in advance

Make sure you get everything done before you leave. Some things can only be done before you set sail and not in the middle of the trip. Get all of the paperwork you need, and get any vaccinations you need before the trip.

If you need visas to visit the countries you plan to visit, get this work done in advance. It will be much harder to take care of these things after you have already set sail. Go to your doctor for a medical examination before you leave, and take enough of any medication you need with you on your trip.

Make sure the boat is in excellent condition

Have a professional look at your boat first. There could be dangerous technical problems with your boat that you might not immediately notice. Be on the safe side and get your boat looked at properly first.

Buying a used boat is not always the best idea. The cost of fixing your boat may be more than you bought the used boat for in the worst cases. Going to sea with a serious problem with your ship could be a disaster, so let a boat mechanic take a look at your vessel first.

Prepare for emergencies

You and everyone you are sailing with should know what to do in an emergency. If a heavy storm hits you, what do you do? Everyone in your crew has to know what to do in these situations.

Pirates are still very real, and you have to know what to do if you encounter dangerous people at sea. The sea can be unpredictable, and your emergency plans should cover many different situations.

Taking the right emergency supplies with you is a must. Bring a life jacket, flares, and a fire extinguisher. Make sure you have clothing that will keep you warm and dry in whatever weather and climate you encounter. Have a list of numbers for all of the emergency personnel you might call if you are in danger.

Make sure your boat is still in good condition whenever you port

One of the most important things you can do for your own safety while out to sea is check your boat every time you stop at any port. Always make sure that your boat is still in good condition. More than a few people die sailing, and this is often because of not immediately noticing and fixing problems with their ships.

As well as maintaining your ship, you have to maintain other equipment. A broken satellite phone or broken radar could get you killed. Regularly test your equipment.

Obey the laws wherever you go

As soon as you sail close enough to the coast of any country, you are no longer in international waters and have to obey the laws of whichever country you are in. You cannot know a lot about the laws of each country you are visiting, but you should know a little. Be aware of any unusual laws that are relevant to sailors.

Be prepared to be away from home for years

Whether you are sailing away on your own boat or not, you are going to be away from home for a long time. While it is possible to sail around the world fast (the world record is doing it in only 40 days), an around the world sailing trip takes three or four years on average. Sailing around the world is not a vacation but an epic adventure that takes up a significant chunk of your life. Eventually, you will return to life on land, and you will see life differently after your sailing experience.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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