sailboat for circumnavigation

10 Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation

Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation | Life of Sailing

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

Circumnavigation means to successfully navigate around any sort of landmasses such as an island or continent. Whilst in yesteryear we would have relied on compasses, maps, stars and uncomfortable conditions, now sailboats are fitted with a vast array of equipment to help you circumnavigate anywhere you choose in a comfortable and timely manner.

It would seem reasonable to suggest that a small and lightweight boat wouldn't have the capability to circumnavigate effectively, but this is no longer the case. Due to the developments in the understanding of technology and materials over the last 20 years or so, mass produced boats are more than capable of surviving any conditions providing the crew are prepared properly. With the improvements in engineering especially, long gone are the days where slow, bulky, and claustrophobic cruisers were your only option. You can travel in style!

Ultimately, this article is going to answer the question: what are the best sailboats for circumnavigation? There are a few major things that you need to consider. Principle amongst them are the facilities on board the sailboat, the ease of use, how the deck and cabins are organized, the space available and finally the performance of the vessel overall. Take your time and think carefully about it.

Table of contents

10 Best Sailboats for Circumnavigation

1. jeanneau sun odyssey 54ds.

Starting off our list with one of the strongest contenders, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS certainly ticks the luxury box. What's impressive is just how visually striking and spacious the 54DS is. It has big, swooping curves that give this sailboat a really distinctive shape. When this line of boat made its debut in 2003, the superstructure was considered to be one of the very best in the world and it still ranks highly today. Not only this, but the interior is designed to be luxurious and you have a surprising amount of space available in the cabin.

There's more to this boat than the looks though. The build quality on the whole is absolutely fantastic and it's quite powerful too. Many previous owners have attributed the high standard build quality, powerful performance and the excellent superstructure to the predictable and reliable performance. This is ideal for circumnavigation as you want a boat that is going to perform predictably and not throw you any major surprises!

A few other notable features on the 54DS are deep-draft keel and a standard in-mast furling mainsail. It also comes with an optional full battened main. All of these features are considered to be standard equipment for long distance cruisers.

All the high-quality features come at an expensive price. The price is certainly above average for a sailboat like this and you could make do with something a little less advanced but it's important to remember that the price is balanced out by the quality of the interior and stunning shape. Certainly some food for thought.

2. Amel Super Maramu

A highly regarded design by the Frenchman Henri Amel, this sailboat was his idea of what a high-performance circumnavigating sailboat should look like. The main point of the design was to encourage as much performance out of the boat as possible in deeper waters. This means less luxury, and more functionality. Oh, and not to mention that is undeniably French, so bear that in mind.

The boat itself looks like a traditional circumnavigating sailor, but it's got a lot of modern features to offer. The ship itself is designed to be operated by a small crew of two people. Everything is about efficiency. For example, the ketch rig is designed to be simple yet highly effective. Even the sails are electrically controlled! This means that the boat is really easy to use and manageable. It's recommended that for sailors who have a couple of years' experience because a few components can be a little bit complicated to do.

One thing that you might want to consider is that the Super Maramu isn't designed to be customised. Coming in at 53 feet long, it simply wouldn't be worth the effort to make any exterior modifications. It's a similar story for the interior as well. All the interior is functional so if you are looking for a more luxurious circumnavigator, then this wouldn't be a good option.

3. Hallberg-Rassy 42 and 42F

The Hallberg-Rassy range is known for their toughness and almost mythical build quality. The design is ruthlessly efficient, seen as there is absolutely no wasted space at all. This means that everything is focused on functionality, but this comes at the expense of it being a little bit less comfortable. The relatively simple exterior design is fitting in terms of the overall theme of the boat, simplicity and efficiency.

The layout below decks is also designed to be as efficient and user friendly as possible. This means that the boat is easy to use as well as the interior having a surprisingly fantastic finish to it. The design adds a lot of value to this boat because the ease of use and quality mean it's a fantastic place to be. Of course, this is depending on the amount of time you're going to spend circumnavigating but for a long trip, this is wonderful.

A word on the performance. It is very good too. It wouldn't be considered one of the best performing boats on this list but it's certainly more than good enough to get you where you need to go.

4. Hylas 54

The German Frers design can be seen again in the Hylas 54 but it's no surprise considering how good the design actually is. The Hylas 54 is designed to be a good balance between performance and efficiency.

The hull is built to an extremely high standard and the boat can also be driven very easily. In fact, its so easy to sail that achieving over 200-miles per day isn't too much of a struggle. On the deck, the design is compact and efficient which is perfect if you're an experienced sailor.

Another strong feature of the Hylas 54 is that there's a great amount of space and degree of flexibility below decks. You are free to choose how you want the layout to look as well as the quality of the finish. It even has a raised saloon version of which further adds to the flexibility and space available.

Owners are generally positive about this modal as well as the newer model, the Hylas 56. One of the biggest advantages is that it's really easy to handle. This would make a great, all round option for circumnavigating where you have the freedom to make it feel like home!

5. Beneteau 57

This is possibly one of the best, high-end options on the market currently! The Beneteau 57 is designed to be as stylish and reliable as possible. It would be fair to categorise it as a luxury cruiser that's for sure!

The hull is designed to be as fast and as sleek as possible. Paired with the stunning hull, the cockpit is placed as central as possible to maximise the amount of space available on the deck as well as keeping everything as neat and organised below decks.

The facilities below decks don't suffer either. All the systems have a fantastic finish to them and on the whole are very impressive. There is a fairly reasonable amount of space considering that the length of the boat is over 50 feet long.

It's fair to say that if you want to enjoy your tip but do it in luxury, then the Beneteau 57 is an absolutely fantastic option. The biggest benefit is that the price is extremely competitive considering the build-quality and luxurious feel you pay for.

6. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49

A rather surprising selection on the list! The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey isn't actually designed for circumnavigation by the charter market. However, due to its size and adaptability, it works extremely well as a circumnavigator.

Featuring a large cockpit, easy to maintain sailplan and a wonderful all-round performance, this really is a boat that can do pretty much anything you ask of it. A unique feature that this boat has is that it has a dedicated sail lock in the bow of the ship which is ideal for adjusting the height of the sail.

Below decks, you'll find a boat that has a variety of options for you. The cabin is designed to be twin aft but, if you remove the bulkhead, you can change the space into a massive single cabin. Below decks also feature a large navigation station which is a cool feature. The finish of the interior is also completed to a high standard which means that it's a comfortable and relaxing place to be!

7. Lagoon 440

This is a sailboat that has a lot of accolades. More lagoons have crossed the Atlantic. This is due to the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers. In regards to the 440 modal in particular, they have taken part in the Atlantic Rally more often than any other lagoon. So, what does all this mean? Well, the Lagoon 440 is designed to be a quality cruiser that's incredibly reliable and safe.

On the deck, there is an awful lot of room. You have a saloon, a big cockpit, a wide trampoline forward and the flybridge. This means that there's plenty of space to socialise with your other crew members or in the harbour. It also means that you have enough space for some privacy too which is fantastic depending on how much time you're going to spend on the boat.

Below decks, it's very much the same story. The interior is polished and refined as well as having an enormous amount of space. This is absolutely ideal for having a large crew and enjoying your journey!

One final thing to highlight is the performance of the boat itself. It certainly isn't the fastest, but the boat will certainly get you anywhere in a good amount of time.

8. Beneteau Oceanis 473

The Beneteau Oceanis 473 is an extremely popular sailboat for circumnavigation. The design was actually meant for the charter market but because of the vast size, comfortable features and the fact its relatively affordable, it became a target for cruisers looking for a bargain.

There hasn't been a lot of modifications for circumnavigation, but the boat is good at handling heavy weather and performs in a stable and predictable manner. This means that it's incredibly easy to control and perfect for a long-distance cruise.

The interior is a little bit funky too! There are a few different cabin styles but the most popular one is the three-cabin version. The rooms are big enough, but they aren't ideal to use on the sea because some of the room is wasted. However, it is excellent for harbour parties.

9. Bavaria 42

The Bavaria 42 is the most popular mass-produced boat to cross oceans. The sailboat is designed to be a no-nonsense, affordable, and adaptable cruiser. It's also well engineered for the price.

On the deck, a long waterline and fairly good sail area provide a good amount of performance. It is very heavy though when the cruising essentials are stored on board. It's important to bear this in mind. The cockpit is also positioned to be as central as possible to open up more space.

Below decks, the interior is straightforward and functional. There are two to three sleeping cabins depending on what model you choose. The sleeping cabins are generally considered to be functional at best.

It's the standard, go to a cruiser for circumnavigation. This should be the sailboat that you compare everything to!

10. Oyster 56

I've saved possibly the best option for last. The Oyster 56 is highly regarded and considered to be a dream boat for most. The biggest advantage of the Oyster 56 is the fact that it's so flexible and simple to use but the standard of the instruments and interior is absolutely stunning.

There isn't too much else to say because everything is built to an unbelievably high standard. The deck is designed to be small enough to be crewed by two people, but it's sufficiently big enough to cross vast distances quickly and in immense comfort. The systems can be crewed by up to six people, with the ideal number being from two-four.

It's the exact situation below decks as well. A lavish interior is designed to relax you in comfort. There's a lot of space so it feels more like home rather than a boat. Everything you could want is available. The 56 is absolutely fantastic for long distance cruising.

A final thing to mention is that the Oyster 56 wins pretty much anything it competes in. You certainly are buying a quality boat!

Ultimately, the choice of the best sailboat for navigation depends on what experience you are looking for. It's fair to say that each sailboat has their own positives and negatives. You might want to relax in comfort and luxury, or you might want to have a more authentic, manual experience. The important things to consider are the space available below decks, the size of the boat and how easy it is to use and whether the boat meets your needs.

However, if I was to make a recommendation, I would suggest the Beneteau 57. Even though it is one of the most expensive sailboats on the list, it offers a wide variety of applications, excellent build quality and luxury interior makes this an amazing boat to travel in. If you want to travel in style, then this certainly is the boat for you! This is an excellent boat for larger crews, especially six and up.

If the Beneteau 57 isn't your cup of tea, then another excellent recommendation would be the Bavaria 42. This is an excellent option due to the outstanding build quality, quality engineering and functionality. It's perfect for small crew that like to have a functional and minimalist experience but really connect with the sea and the natural surroundings. Just bear in mind that it is a lot smaller than the majority of the sailboats on the list so don't expect to have the same luxurious experience you might have with some others.

Hopefully, you've found the perfect sailboat for you or if not, you've got some inspiration! The main thing is that the boat should add to the enjoyment and experience of the journey, not detract from it. No matter what boat you choose, make sure you enjoy it!

Happy sailing!

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.

by this author

Best Sailboats

Most Recent

What Does "Sailing By The Lee" Mean?

October 3, 2023

The Best Sailing Schools And Programs: Reviews & Ratings

September 26, 2023

Important Legal Info

Lifeofsailing.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Affordable Sailboats You Can Build at Home

September 13, 2023

Best Small Sailboats With Standing Headroom

Best Bluewater Sailboats Under $50K

Best Liveaboard Catamaran Sailboats

Can a Novice Sail Around the World?

Elizabeth O'Malley

June 15, 2022

Best Electric Outboard Motors | Life of Sailing

4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

How Long Did It Take The Vikings To Sail To England?

10 Best Sailboat Brands | Life of Sailing

10 Best Sailboat Brands (And Why)

December 20, 2023

7 Best Places To Liveaboard A Sailboat

Get the best sailing content.

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.

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.

You may also like, 41 sailboat cruising essentials for long trips.

In this post I list the items you are unlikely to have if you have never done bluewater or long-term cruising before. There are some essential safety product and …

Everything You Need to Sail Around the World (by an expert)

How Long Does it Take to Sail Around the World?

The Safest Sailing Routes Around the World (Which to Avoid)

How Big Should a Sailboat Be to Sail Around the World?

Planning a Circumnavigation

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ OUR DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Last Updated on September 13, 2023 by Amy

Plotting world circumnavigation routes is a lot easier than it sounds. There are cruising boats LITERALLY all over the world. There are boats in the Northwest passage (up and over Canada), in the Antarctic, and everywhere in between. There are a few key things to take into consideration, but 95%* of circumnavigation routes follow the same general course.

Table of Contents - Click to Jump

Insurance Restrictions on Circumnavigation Routes

There are two major restrictions put on us by our vessel insurance; stay out of highly pirated areas and stay out of named storm zones. Insurance restrictions come with the option to ignore them. You can always go to these restricted places, BUT if something happens, your insurance will not be covered. Another option is that you can pay significantly more to be covered in these places as well. We have made the choice for ourselves to follow the restrictions set by our insurance.

By definition, piracy is the act of attacking and robbing ships at sea. By that main definition, the Caribbean is one of the worst places for piracy. Petty theft of boats and their tenders is a major issue in some parts of the Caribbean, and steps should be taken to protect yourself and your assets.

However, the piracy of the biggest concern is murder and kidnapping. There are two main hotspots where our insurance will not cover us; the Philippines and the Red Sea/Suez Canal (hereby referred to as simply Suez). Again, people cruise literally everywhere in the world, and there are people who cruise the Philippines (2015 reports state 200 yachts). The other side of the coin is true too. Just because you avoid the Suez or the Philippines does not mean you will avoid being kidnapped or murdered.

It’s up to you to decide the level of risk you are willing to take when planning out a circumnavigation route.

Tropical Storms

In North America, it’s a hurricane. South of the equator, it’s cyclones. In Asia-Pacific, it’s typhoons. Either way, your insurance probably has a word or two to say about where you spend tropical storm season.

Our insurance requires us to avoid certain parts of the world during storm seasons. This is why there is a mass exodus of boats from the Caribbean every year. Our insurance requires us to be north of roughly the Florida-Georgia line. Now, that doesn’t mean we are safe from hurricanes, but it does mean if something happens, we will have the privilege of consoling ourselves of our losses by applying for an insurance claim.

For those moving quickly, your primary concern is systems in the southern hemisphere. Just make sure you are moving from east to west quickly enough to pass through the storm zone.

World circumnavigation routes, like ours, usually have you dipping out of these storm zones for the season. It’s a great time to haul your boat out for annual maintenance, like we did in New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand.

Tradewinds for Circumnavigating

Around the equator lies the doldrums. This is typically an area with very little wind. However, each ocean has a wind pattern. In the northern hemisphere, winds circulate clockwise. In the southern hemisphere, winds circulate counterclockwise. This means that on either side of the equator lies a band of wind flowing from east to west. This is why 95%* of cruisers plan their circumnavigation routes to sail from east to west.

Factoring the Wind into Outfitting Your Boat

Knowing where you will sail will help you determine what kind of sail performance you are looking for in a boat. For someone doing a typical circumnavigation route, sailing east to west, you’ll be sailing downwind a lot. Some monohull owners have complained to us about how uncomfortable their boat is sailing dead downwind. Catamarans, however, typically perform best downwind. We have a very smooth ride when we are traveling with the wind and waves.

Outfitting your sail locker also factors in where you are sailing. For a downwind circumnavigation, spinnakers are highly useful – or so we hear. We’ve not had terrible success with our spinnaker, but find our screecher to be very useful. That could possibly be because we deviate enough from the standard downwind route.

For more about sail configurations in a cruising catamaran, read our Sail Trim blog post.

Those Who Sail West to East Circumnavigation Routes

There are a few who do sail the “wrong way”. It can definitely be done and done fast. However, you need to have a boat that sails well to wind. While most catamarans sail well downwind, we do not sail well into the wind. However, if your catamaran has daggerboards, you’ll sail much better to wind than a catamaran without daggerboards.

Circumnavigation Routes & Bottlenecks

This is why most circumnavigations follow the same basic route. There are major bottlenecks to passing around the continents, so again, we’ve got the 95%* of boats funneling into one narrow part of the world.

Panama Canal

We paid $1300 to transit the Panama Canal because the only other option is to sail against the wind and waves around either North America or South America. Taking one of the high latitudes routes is pretty dang extreme, takes a significant amount of time, and a toll on ship and crew. Ushuaia, a port of call in Argentina, reported 64 boats in 2015, versus 1,079 boats transiting the canal – 95% transiting the canal*.

Torres Strait

The Torres Strait occupies the space between Australia and New Guinea. It’s fairly small, just 650 nm between Thursday Island and Indonesia’s first port of clearance.

There are some cruisers (like our friends on S/V Field Trip) who are going over the top of New Guinea to get to Southeast Asia. Getting any further north than that requires dealing with the Philippines – either through or around the top of the Philippines into the South China Sea.

Cape of Good Hope

Traveling around South Africa requires tackling the Cape of Good Hope, which is not to be taken lightly due to the challenges in the winds and currents. The alternative is the Suez. There used to be a rally passing through the Suez. The other alternative is to hire private security, but that’s pretty complex. Reports show 358 boats sailing through Cape Town verses 19 through the Suez – again, 95% choose Cape Town*. I know the Mediterranean is a great cruising ground, but we decided if we want to cruise it, we’d rather cross the Atlantic twice than go through the Suez.

How Long Should a Circumnavigation Take?

Barring racing yachts who are smashing world records, it’s not uncommon to complete a circumnavigation in a year and a half. This is a fairly straightforward and quick route.

The World ARC is a one and a half year rally that circumnavigates the world. They have a fantastic route and schedule on their website.

Longer circumnavigation routes still use the same general track, but add on detours. For example, we extended our South Pacific portion into two seasons by sailing south to spend cyclone season in New Zealand.

We’ve met sailors who have taken 15 or more years to circumnavigate. That’s a lot of detours!

Our Circumnavigation Route

Our sailing circumnavigation route took us four years and three months to travel all the way around the world. You can read the summary of our world circumnavigation for more details.

Book: World Cruising Routes

This is LITERALLY the bible of sailing around the world. If you have ever asked yourself (or, god help you, asked on a forum) “I wonder when the best time to sail from X to Y is?” the answer is in this book.

Even though we know our route, I’m still pulling out this book every so often to look up possibilities. It’s a great guide to planning your circumnavigation route overall and planning each individual passage.

Buy Jimmy Cornell’s World Cruising Routes .

Book: Cornell’s Ocean Atlas

This handy reference book is full of windgrams – “a summary of wind direction and strength derived from the individual windroses along a specific ocean route “. Basically this means you can open a chart for a particular region and month and you will be able to tell where the wind “usually” blows from.

Buy Cornell’s Ocean Atlas .

Book Review: How to Sail Around the World Part-Time

Who: Linus Wilson and his wife, Janna
Available: Kindle, Kindle Unlimited or Paperback
Published: January 2016
Editing (scale of 1-10, 10 is best): 10

Linus Wilson has been cruising part-time on his 31-foot Island Packet. This is his second book, and in it, he details how one could sail a circumnavigation part-time. I agree – it is possible and might be the solution more potential cruisers should consider.

Wilson pulls a lot of statistics about sailing. Did you know fewer people complete a sailing circumnavigation every year than climb Mount Everest? An hour spent above base camp on Mount Everest is 264 times more dangerous than an hour sailing?

One question unanswered is how long it would actually take to sail the world part-time. Of course, it depends on how much time you dedicate every year, but hypothetically:

Year 1: the Caribbean to Panama, store in Panama
Year 2: Panama to French Polynesia, store in FP
Year 3: French Polynesia to Fiji, store in Fiji
Year 4: Fiji to Australia, store in Australia
Year 5: Australia to South Africa, store in SA
Year 6: SA to the Caribbean

Of course, you’d see a lot less than you would on a 6-year circumnavigation like ours, but you get it done in a fraction of the cost and less risk.

Bottom line: it was a short, interesting, and informative read. If you don’t want to full-time sail, or can’t convince your partner to full-time sail, consider how fulfilling a part-time adventure could be.

*Jimmy Cornell is the foremost expert on tracking cruising boats, and the statistics for this blog post were pulled from his article Where do all the boats go?

23 Comments

Wonderful article. I am from Goa, India. I wish you had come to Goa. I would have happily looked after your boat, and you could have travelled through India and enjoyed its majestic and diverse cultures and sites. I am 67 years old grandfather. I have been coastal and competitive sailing for the past 50 years. I am now planning to go on a circumnavigation on a Leopard 39 sailboat starting from Goa. Hoping to do it in 2 to 3 years. Your article and videos have inspired me. All the best. Thank you for your well written and detailed articles.

Wow, great to hear from you! It is amazing to us when we hear from people like you all over the world! We have some friends who visited Cochin last year on their boat, I think that’s a popular stop for cruisers. I know that formalities in India are complicated.

I have never been, but I love the food and the culture that I’ve experienced so far! I hope we get to visit someday.

Do sail down to Goa anytime you want. I will sort out all you entry formalities. Wish you all the best. Keep inspiring us with your wonderful sailing and videos.

Hi, how many miles is it when circumnavigating around the earth please? Captain cook did it in 60k, but is this because you cant just sail direct around the earth due to islands and storms etc?

Hi! Our circumnavigation was about 34,000 nm. You can read more about it here: https://outchasingstars.com/world-sailing-circumnavigation-summary/

Amy, when you and David are on a long passage, what kind of watch schedule do you keep? Assuming you’re both healthy (unlike your passage to St. Helena), what do you find to be a comfortable limit for the number of days at sea before exhaustion begins to set in?…or does it ever set in for you guys?

We do a soft 7-hour watch. The only actual watch is I do 7 pm to 2 am. Then David goes on watch while I sleep. When I wake up we switch, and he naps. Then when he’s up, I nap. By then it’s time to do the whole thing all over again! The worst night is the second. You’ve been tired, but not tired enough to sleep off your normal routine yet. But after the second night it gets a lot better. Exhaustion does not set in long-term – boredom does!

I really enjoyed reading your article, it’s very informative although that I don’t have a boat, it’s too expensive where I’m from, and it would take a fortune to be registered if it’s allowed in the first place, as authorities put a lot of restrictions for civil citizen to do so after military took over in 60s, for example we can’t camp as a first without a security permit bla bla bla that it raerly issued or thread fishing without a license and permit bla bla bla….etc, there isn’t a proper Marina for docking not even mention the amount of visas that it required. I love to sail one-day but till that time I’m really enjoy reading and watching. I’m from Egypt, and it makes me sad that sailors stop passing by, as we have a great shores, great diving spots, the Suez canal, and the right wind, but to be considered as unstable area for the Somalian pirates acts, and all the Egyptian governmental claims about fighting terrorist and repel ghost they imagine, this is horrible. It’s really tearing me that after around 8000 years on Earth people couldn’t yet handle their conflicts. I’m sorry to make it very long. Glad that some people had the privilege to try and be able to chasing stars and wind. Godspeed

Sarah, thank you for your comment! It’s amazing to us that we have someone reading from Egypt!

I recently read a memoir about a yacht who sailed through the Suez, and it sounded like they had a lot of difficulties, not just with pirates and corruption, but it’s hard sailing too! Egypt is very high up on my list of places I would truly love to visit because of its amazing history and culture.

We hope that somehow you get to enjoy sailing, even if it’s just continuing to follow us along.

You are amazing, all the best in your upcoming, and hopefully everyone can enjoy sailing in Egypt one day, and be able to see you here in the future.

Hi Amy, first, what a nice simple but very informative blog. I have run a ‘sailing for disabled people’ organisation for the last 25 years and as part of our 25th anniversary are planning to build a 20m cat for a round the world adventure. Planned for start in 2025 I need to get people to understand the real dangers and risks of such travel as well as the good things, would you mind if I used your blog in this matter, I would of course say that is yours. Details of us are under the ‘new projects button’ at http://www.disabledsailing.org

Hi Mike! You are welcome to link to our blog post. If you need anything beyond that, send us an email and we can talk more!

Excellent and informative article. I’d just like to point out the following statement where it states: “Ushuaia, a port of call in Chile, reported 64 boats in 2015….”

Please note that Ushuaia is not located in Chile, but rather within the Tierra del Fuego province of Argentina.

Thank you so much for the correction! I will fix it right away. Geography lesson of the day. 😉

Now you can completely delete my comment 🙂 It’s all sorted. Happy and safe sailing to you and your family. Antonella

Nice write up. Very helpful. Keep up the good work. However sailing through the suez is not really that dangerous. My friends Ingo and Maya sailed through from turkey to India and onward to thailand and had no probs with pirates.

I do hear that the piracy situation is improving. I do think there are a lot of good reasons to go around South Africa though, and I am glad we did.

Great informative article, thanks for sharing.

Where do you store your bladder when it is full? Also, thanks for all the info and videos. It has helped us a great deal in preparation for purchasing our boat,

Thank you! I’m glad you’ve found it helpful. We store the duel bladder in the cockpit.

On the longer passages, how much extra fuel do you carry in your blatter tank. What motering range do you think is sufficient for your longer passages?. I’m thinking the Helia goes about 750 miles on 125 gallons of diesel. Thanks Jon

Our fuel tank holds 125 gallons, plus four 5-gallon jerry cans, plus the 50-gallon fuel bladder, to total 195 gallons. If we motor at 1800 rpms with one engine it’s roughly .8 gph. Theoretically, our tanks should take us about 900 nm. Of course, we go months and thousands of miles without using all of our diesel.

Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation

Circumnavigation is an undeniably enjoyable experience made even more fun with the right sailboats. Read on to find the best sailboats for circumnavigation!

October 17, 2023

This article may contain affiliate links where we earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

The best sailboats for circumnavigation include the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS, Neel 51, and Island Packet 349. These boats offer passengers a thoroughly enjoyable sailing experience and the reliability, efficiency, and luxury they need from a long-haul sailing vessel.

Circumnavigation is all about navigating the world oceans on a dream sailing trip across the world. The best high-performing sailboats can help circumnavigate the world with ease. They have the most reliable and functional facilities onboard, are easy to maneuver, have been fitted with the finest equipment, and have organized, spaced out deck and cabin areas for you to have a pleasant sailing experience.

Given the sheer volume of sailboats in the market, it’s not always easy to make the right decision for your sailing adventures. It’s why I have used my sailing expertise to create this list of the most reliable and high-performing sailboats ideal for sailing across the world!

Table of Contents

‍ 8 Best Sailboats for Circumnavigating the World

Here are eight of the finest sailboats for travelling around the world:

1. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS is easily one of the finest and luxurious sailboats for circumnavigation. It’s a spacious and visually stunning vessel with large, swooping curves that give it its unique shape. When this sailboat debuted in 2003, its superstructure, with its quality desk hardware, was instantly recognized as one of the finest in the world, and that remains true today as well. Plus, the interior of the boat is designed with elegance in mind.

Moreover, this sailboat has a premium-quality, powerful build, which ensures that the Odyssey 54DS delivers top-quality, smooth performance, allowing you to travel in it around the world with ease. The 54DS has many notable features, including its standard in-mast furling mainsail and deep-draft keel. The vessel also comes with an optional full battened main.

The sailboat has a fancy leather-bound wheel that works smoothly and five to ten luxurious berths. It features a harbor cachet that is more or less the same size as the cachet of a custom yacht. All of its distinctive and contemporary features are designed to offer maximum comfort and a smooth sailing experience to long-distance travelers. It’s why the price of the sailboat is certainly a bit on the higher end. But the sheer quality and prowess of the boat make up for the higher price tag.

Here are some pros of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS:

Sturdy construction
Reliable sailing experience
Luxurious interior for added comfort
Attractive design that makes it feel like a small superyacht

Here are some cons of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS:

Price is a bit steep

Neel 51 is a popular choice amongst sailboat lovers due to its wide deckhouse. Its double headsail rig is conveniently accessible from the helm and is controlled by Harken 52 winches. This blue water yacht was introduced after the success of Neel 45 and Neel 65.

This sailboat also houses two center-hull staterooms with functional showers below the deck. The trim of this popular yacht is made of alpi wood, and the flooring has a hard-wearing polyester substance construction. The sailboat enjoys an overall length of 51 feet and a width of 29 feet and 18 inches. The live-aboard space equals 90sqm, and the tender garage technical room covers 18 sqm.

With that said, the headsail hinders visibility from the helm, which is a common pain point with multihulls. With that said, you can enjoy an unobstructed view from the spacious and elegant lounge space adjacent to the helm for resting and relaxing. This boat is fitted with an impressive Volvo diesel inboard engine with an HP sail drive of 75.

This sailboat can also carry up to 600L of water and fuel. It offers exceptional directional prowess and is easy to drive. With this vessel, you can sail from 6-7 knits up to 10-11 knots. It’s the ideal boat for individuals who wish to experience the joys of circumnavigation in a comfortable sailboat.

Here are some pros of the Neel 51:

Sturdy, durable construction
Excellent functionality and a smooth ride
Incredible directional power
Comfortable, spacious, and luxurious

Here are some cons of the Neel 51:

Visibility is obstructed from the helm

3. Island Packet 349

The Island Packet 349 is widely regarded as the best midsize cruiser under 38 feet. Even in poor weather conditions, it offers its passengers a comfortable and safe long-haul sailing and cruising experience. From its harken furlers and winches to its fiberglass work, the build quality is brilliant. The vessel sails wonderfully well as well.

This vessel is designed as a two-cabin boat and features a separate shower compartment in a single head, a distinctive feature in a boat under 38 feet. It comes with a functional set of furniture and appliances, including an under-counter storage space for dry goods, refrigerators, a pull-out spice rack cabinet, various bulkhead mounted handholds and SS overhead spaces.

The saloon of the sailboat also contains an L-shaped built-in sofa/settee and a dining table that can be folded when not in use to make more space for the passengers. The Island Packet 349 has an overall length and water length of a little more than 38 feet and 31 feet, respectively. The draft is 4 feet, and the beamwidth is 12 feet and 6 inches long.

The vessel can carry up to 100 gallons of water and 55 gallons of fuel. It houses a strong engine of Yanmar diesel with 45 HP, which allows it to travel a distance of 500 miles at six knots cruising speed. The IP 349 offers a nominal hull speed of around 7.5 knots, thanks to its 32-foot waterline. This model is safe for sea travel due to its ballast-to-displacement ratio of 39% and full keel, 20,000lbs displacement.

Here are some pros of the Island Packet 349:

Durable fiberglass and harken construction
Excellent utilization of space despite the small size
Strong engine and traveling speed
Comfortable vessel for sailing across the globe

Here are some cons of the Island Packet 349:

It’s a bit on the small side compared to other sailboats on the list

4. Amel Super Maramu

Amel Super Maramu is a loved vessel designed by the Frenchman Henri Amel. He designed it with the vision of creating a high-performance circumnavigating sailboat, and it’s safe to say he succeeded. This sailboat provides exceptional performance in deeper sea waters and is all about functionality.

The sailboat has an undeniably traditional circumnavigating sailboat-like appearance. However, it has many modern features to offer. It’s designed to be operated by a small crew of two people to ensure increased efficiency. The ketch rig has a simple yet exceptionally effective design, and the sails are electrically controlled, making the boat super manageable.

With everything said, the Super Maramu is not designed for external modifications. It’s a 53-feet-long boat with an optimally functional exterior and interior. It has an overall width of a little over 41 feet and a beamwidth of 15 feet. The sailboat has a water capacity of 264 gallons and a fuel capacity of 158 gallons.

Here are some pros of the Amel Super Maramu:

Super-efficient design with maximum focus on functionality
It doesn’t require a huge crew; designed for a two-person crew
Explicitly designed for long-distance sailing
Safe, reliable, and powerful vessel

Here are some cons of the Amel Super Maramu:

Not as luxurious as some of the other options on the list
Best for an experienced crew due to the complexity of some features

5. Bavaria 42

Bavaria 42 is a mass-produced, popular boat designed for cross-ocean traveling. It’s a no-nonsense, comparatively priced, adaptable sailboat that offers great features for its affordable price. The deck features a fairly spacious sail area and a long waterline to ensure good performance. However, the vessel can be super heavy when the cruising essentials are stored onboard.

The cockpit of the boat is placed centrally to free up more space for the passengers. Below the deck, the interior is as functional and practical as needed. Depending on the model you choose, you will benefit from two to three comfortable seeping cabins that are functional. It’s a standard go-to cruiser for circumnavigation.

This sailboat offers an overall length of almost 43 feet and a beamwidth of 13 feet. Depending on the model you choose, you can avail a fuel capacity of 210L to 230L and a water capacity of 360L. You will also have six to eight functional berths. The engine has an HP of 55. All in all, it’s a well-built, practical vessel that will enable you to have a relaxing cruise around the world.

The forward visibility of the sailboat is excellent at the helm, and the wide cockpit offers an unmatched sense of security even when the boat is listing. Moreover, the Bavaria 42 responds exceptionally well to the touch of an experienced sailor.

Here are some pros of the Bavaria 42:

Responsive, functional sailboat
Practically built to offer excellent performance
Excellent front view
Sense of security due to the spacious cockpit

Here are some cons of the Bavaria 42:

Quite heavy when the cruising essentials are stored onboard

6. Beneteau 57

Beneteau 57 is easily one of the finest, most high-end sailboats for circumnavigation. It’s designed to be a stylish, high-performing, reliable vessel that you can take on a cruise around the world. It’s a luxury sailboat through and through!

The vessel’s hull has a monohull design and offers quick performance and a sleek appearance. The cockpit is also placed centrally to maximize the space on the deck and keep the vessel’s interior neatly organized under the deck. It is a powerful sloop rig with an impressively constructed cockpit.

The facilities below the deck are modern, comfortable, and wholly impressive. They are also quite spacious since the vessel’s overall length is more than 50 feet. The beamwidth of the vessel is a little over 16 feet, and the overall width is 56 feet. Moreover, its engine has an impressive 160 HP, and the fuel tanks have a capacity of 400L. The sailboat can carry 22,000 kgs of dry weight.

The synthetic glittering Glass blue countertops in the head and the brilliant stainless steel gallery appliances add a luxurious touch to the Beneteau 57. The boat has the most comprehensive list of features out of all the Beneteau boats. Considering the fantastic build-quality and luxurious experience that the Beneteau 57 offers to its passengers, its price is impressively competitive.

Here are some pros of the Beneteau 57:

High-end, luxurious vessel with a fantastic build quality
It offers an enjoyable cruising experience
Well-organized and functional deck and below deck spaces
Stainless steel appliances
Competitive price
Impressive dry weight capacity

Here are some cons of the Beneteau 57:

Not as efficient as some of the other options on the list

7. Hylas 54

Hylas 54 has a German Frers design that offers the vessel a brilliant balance between efficiency and performance. The vessel’s hull is built exceptionally well, ensuring the boat to be driven seamlessly. It’s so easy to sail the boat that achieving more than 200 miles per day is achievable. On the deck, the compact and efficient design is ideal for an experienced sailor.

One of the finest features of the Hylas 54 is its spaciousness below deck, which is ideal for long-haul sailing across the world. The flexible below deck interior allows you to customize the layout however you want. It also enables you to use the finish quality you want. It also comes with a raised saloon version, which adds to its flexibility.

Like other Hylas sailboats, the passengers are typically satisfied with this 54-feet-long vessel for cross-ocean sailing. It’s because this vessel is super easy to handle and makes a great all-rounder for circumnavigation. It offers you the freedom you need to traverse the world oceans in comfort and style.

Here are some pros of the Hylas 54:

Excellent customization options
Efficient, high-performing vessel
Easy to sail across the ocean, achieving maximum speed

Here are some cons of the Hylas 54:

A relatively smaller deck compared to other vessels on the list

8. Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is one of the most popular Beneteau models. It features a stepped hull design and incorporates some of the most loved features of the previous models. It also offers increased performance, quality, and top-tier design.

Oceanis 46.1 has a deep lead-bulb keel and a tall mast, allowing the vessel to offer 28% more sail area than the previous Beneteau models. It also has a “first Line” edition that offers comfort and speed. This sailboat offers a functional and roomy cockpit and a spacious forward owner’s cabin. It enables you to sail luxuriously and comfortably.

The overall length and width of the vessel are 46 feet and 47 feet and 43 feet. The hull length is an impressive 45 feet. The sailboat features a Yanmar power engine with 57 HP. You can also go for the Yanmar diesel with 80 HP. This sailboat comes with five varied 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.

This Beneteau model enables you to sail short-handed and empowers you to control the winches from aft. It also has a beautiful design; the below deck interior is covered with brushed light oak veneer. It also houses wide sunbeds with separate head and shower compartments. The vessel has large hull portholes that allow natural light into its saloon, making your experience more comfortable.

Here are some pros of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1:

Beautiful and spacious below deck space
Multiple below deck options
Excellent performance and efficiency
Spacious vessel with a powerful engine

Here are some cons of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1:

Not as roomy as some of the other sailboats on the list

Which Sailboat is the Best for Circumnavigation?

With today’s varied options, sailing worldwide is an exciting prospect. After all, there are many luxurious, well-performing sailboats that can help you have a grand time sailing across world oceans. However, only the best sailboats can offer you the most pleasing sailing experience that goes without a hitch.

The finest boats for circumnavigation offer lightweight speed and have a spacious hull and deck area that offers a grand view. They are also equipped with the finest, most functional and luxurious features for your comfort on your sojourn. That said, the best sailboat for you will also depend on the route you’re taking and your specific needs.

For instance, if someone is looking for a luxurious, competitively priced vessel for their circumnavigation trip, they will likely choose a Beneteau 57 for its luxurious interior and high-end performance. However, if you’re more inclined toward efficiently performing sailboats designed to offer optimal functionality, you will be drawn toward the Bavaria 42.

But if you need an incredible all-around performer in the world of sailboats ideal for circumnavigation, you will likely choose the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS or the Island Packet 349. These sailboats offer exceptional functionality, luxury, and comfort. They are also reliable in poor weather conditions and offer you a smooth, quick, and efficient sailing experience.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Thank you! You're signed up for our free newsletter!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form

About Our Team

We are a publishing team of licensed Nursing Home Administrators, Nurses, Assisted Living Directors, Health Professionals, Gardeners, and individuals with vast experience with senior living and activities.

We can be reached via email at [email protected]

Retirefearless.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. This site also participates in other affiliate programs such as CJ, ClickBank and more, and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies.

Facebook Pinterest

Best boats for circumnavigation: Navigating the globe with confidence

Embarking on a circumnavigation voyage is a dream shared by many sailors and adventurers. The idea of circumnavigating the globe, crossing vast oceans, and exploring diverse cultures is both thrilling and awe-inspiring. However, to turn this dream into a reality, choosing the right boat is of utmost importance.

The importance of choosing the right boat

Your boat is not just a means of transportation; it's your home, your shelter, and your safety net while sailing across the world's oceans. Therefore, selecting a boat that can withstand the challenges of long-distance sailing, provide comfort during extended journeys, and ensure your safety in varying conditions is crucial.

Key features to consider

Size and stability.

One of the fundamental aspects to consider when choosing a circumnavigation boat is its size and stability. Larger boats tend to offer more space and stability in rough seas, while smaller vessels can be more maneuverable in tight spots.

Safety features

Safety is paramount when sailing across vast oceans. Learn about the essential safety features your circumnavigation boat should have, including advanced navigation systems, emergency equipment, and sturdy construction.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Check out our latest sailing content:

Sailboat at sea.

Top picks for circumnavigation

Now, let's dive into the top boat choices for circumnavigation. We'll provide detailed insights into each vessel, highlighting their unique features and advantages.

Hallberg-Rassy 42 : Known for its durability and comfort, this Swedish yacht is a popular choice among circumnavigators.
Amel Super Maramu : Renowned for its self-sufficiency and ease of handling, the Super Maramu is a favorite for long-distance cruising.
Oyster 475 : Oyster yachts are synonymous with quality, and the 475 is no exception, offering excellent performance and seaworthiness.
Outbound 46 : This American-built sailboat is designed for bluewater cruising, making it suitable for circumnavigation.
Hylas 46 : Hylas yachts are celebrated for their strength and beauty, making them a reliable choice for sailing around the world.
Island Packet 420 : Known for their robust construction, Island Packets are well-suited for offshore adventures and global voyages.
Contest 42CS : Dutch craftsmanship and a solid build make the Contest 42CS a top contender for circumnavigation.
Valiant 42 : Designed specifically for offshore cruising, the Valiant 42 is favored by many experienced sailors.
Mason 44 : With classic lines and a reputation for seaworthiness, the Mason 44 is a timeless choice for circumnavigation.
Nordhavn 40 : For those considering a powerboat, the Nordhavn 40 offers long-range capabilities and comfort for extended journeys.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our range of charter boats and head to some of our favourite sailing destinations.

I am ready to help you with booking a boat for your dream vacation. Contact me.

Denisa Nguyenová

The global authority in superyachting

NEWSLETTERS
Yachts Home
The Superyacht Directory
Yacht Reports
Brokerage News
The largest yachts in the world
The Register
Yacht Advice
Yacht Design
12m to 24m yachts
Monaco Yacht Show
Builder Directory
Designer Directory
Interior Design Directory
Naval Architect Directory
Yachts for sale home
Motor yachts
Sailing yachts
Explorer yachts
Classic yachts
Sale Broker Directory
Charter Home
Yachts for Charter
Charter Destinations
Charter Broker Directory
Destinations Home
Mediterranean
South Pacific
Rest of the World
Boat Life Home
Owners' Experiences
Conservation and Philanthropy
Interiors Suppliers
Owners' Club
Captains' Club
BOAT Showcase
Boat Presents
Events Home
World Superyacht Awards
Superyacht Design Festival
Design and Innovation Awards
Young Designer of the Year Award
Artistry and Craft Awards
Explorer Yachts Summit
Ocean Talks
The Ocean Awards
BOAT Connect
Between the bays
Golf Invitational
BOATPro Home
Superyacht Insight
Global Order Book
Premium Content
Product Features
Testimonials
Pricing Plan
Tenders & Equipment

Owners' advice: An insider's guide to world circumnavigation

It's all relative.

Image courtesy of Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

Yacht owners and racers who have done it already offer their advice to help you get the most out of your epic world circumnavigation...

It's all relative: Dee Caffari, record-breaking circumnavigator

“You go through a storm and it’s bad, but the next storm is a comparison to the last one – is it as bad or is it a little easier? And you grow in confidence as you go,” says Dee Caffari, who just finished her sixth circumnavigation, this time as skipper of the Volvo Ocean Race team Turn the Tide on Plastic.

Oddly enough, Caffari says she never set out to sail around the world. “It was an opportunity that presented itself,” says the ex-PE teacher of skippering a yacht crewed by amateurs in the Global Challenge race in 2004, “and from there it kind of evolved. Each time I push my boundaries that little bit further.” You could say the next time she pushed a lot further. Her second circumnavigation made history as she became the first woman to sail single-handed non-stop “the wrong way around”, against the prevailing winds and currents.

So why does she do it? “I love the environment you get to play in. No two days are ever the same; you’re constantly being challenged. The ocean is a pretty magical place and I think we’re lucky to have that as our office.”

“It’s not always going to be smooth sailing, but you will regret not going,” say the owners of Enso . They were inspired by “Sailing La Vagabonde” – YouTube videos of a couple with no previous sailing experience going around the world. “They got out and did it instead of 99 per cent of the world who just think about it,” says the husband.

Enso’s owners jumped into a circumnavigation with both feet, setting off immediately after taking delivery of their new 25 metre Oyster 825. You could say their shakedown cruise was the Oyster World Rally. For the wife, it was a jump into the deep end as her previous sailing experience amounted to a week in Sardinia .

The rewards have been innumerable for Enso’s owners: from freediving with manta rays in Bora Bora to the 300kg marlin they caught and released in the Tuamotus, they have enjoyed vibrant ecosystems off the beaten yachting path. Sharing these experiences with family and friends has made it even more special.

They do admit that leaving so quickly after delivery had a downside. It took time to build the tight-knit crew they’ve had for the past 11 months. And they underestimated the impact that maintenance and warranty work would have on their time. “A new boat is always going to have a lot of warranty work in the first 12 months until it gets into its own rhythm and the crew understand the boat. A year-old boat is actually a much better proposition,” they advise.

Get involved

The owners of 25 metre Southern Wind SW82 Feelin’ Good have been sailing around the world for nearly four years. “Not everyone is able to take the time to be this involved, which makes us appreciate this experience all the more,” they say.

“The long days spent sailing the open sea are the best in my opinion because it is the essence of the journey,” says the husband, who most enjoyed the stretch from Galápagos to Marquesas known as the Coconut Milk Run for its excellent sea conditions. “We sailed the entire passage on one tack! The night sky at sea is like no other, and at the midway point, the closest humans are passing overhead inside the International Space Station.”

The husband and wife both participate alongside their crew on board. “I take my watches along with everyone else, but my wife’s talent is in the galley; she can be down there cooking under any conditions,” says the husband.

Their advice for other owners is to be as involved as possible. “Be on board as much as you can and share the experience with your crew, because it will change your life.”

It's a big world

On Lenny Recanati’s office desk sits an antique globe and a model of his 27 metre Jongert Vivid , which says it all. “I have loved travelling all my life,” he says. “To do it by boat is the best way. On a boat you can go to the end of the world!” Indeed, if the world were flat, he would have fallen off. He spent 12 years travelling on Vivid and has two circumnavigations under his belt, one around the equator and one from pole to pole.

“I like the more remote places where not too many people have been.” The Antarctica expedition stands out, he says, “because of the ferocious sea. In the Drake Passage, the winds were 50mph and the seas were like mountains. The first half hour was a little scary but then the boat gets in a rhythm, you get used to it and relax.”

Enjoy the ride

Many people plan and plan and plan for a circumnavigation and still never actually do it. Eddie Jordan is the opposite. He says he has no real idea what made him want to sail around the world, but now that it’s over, he wants to do it again. Or at least some parts of it.

His was a rush to the starting line of the first Oyster World Rally in 2013 with his then new 27 metre 885 Lush (above). Not studying the cruising guides in advance had some benefits. “I like the surprise element,” he says. “For example, I had never heard of the San Blas islands – probably the last set of islands in the world where they don’t have a currency and operate on a barter system. Our watermakers were running full time to give them as much water as they needed and we got beads and vegetables. We fished off the back of the boat all the time. We had the most magnificent fresh tuna carpaccio with a big glass of rosé wine; that for me was just heaven.”

Some destinations that he had built up in his mind before the trip, such as Bora Bora, turned out to be a disappointment. But there are other places he’d like to return to, such as Rangiroa, the Tuamotus’ largest atoll, where he swam with 50 to 60 blacktip sharks that came close enough to nip at his nose. And he never got a chance to visit Vanuatu. He plans to remedy that, perhaps on his just-purchased 45 metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Blush .

“If you want to have a mixture between enjoying the sailing, cruising, a bit of a party, friends on board, I don’t think there’s any better

way to do that than a sailing boat,” says the man who owned Sunseeker motor yachts for three decades. “And I like to be closer to the sea,” he adds. “With this new Perini I’m able to go out the lazarette and just dive into the water.”

You must adore the sea

“Sailing long distances is not for everybody,” says the owner of the 56 metre Alloy Mondango 3 . “If one tends to motion sickness, definitely not. And even if not, one has to be happy with the quiet and tranquillity of being on the sea for days without the sight of land.”

He wasn’t so sure about himself at first. “Although I had always been a water person, I had never been to sea, as in a long crossing in my own vessel. My wife had only crossed the Atlantic on a large passenger liner. So we did an experimental crossing on Sea Cloud from the Canary Islands to Antigua. It was an easy crossing. However, there was very little wind. The one time the sails went up was very exciting and we were hooked. Since then, he and his wife have logged more than 200,000 nautical miles between their two Mondangos and they always do the crossings.

To other owners considering the same, he says you must adore the open sea and the peace and quiet that comes with it. He also warns that mistakes come with the territory. “Although I have been involved in water sports and sailing dinghies most of my life, this dream was fraught with mistakes,” he says. “You have to go through this no matter from whom you buy your boat. Constant vigilance. Constant spending. Constant adoring.”

5 best small sailboats for sailing around the world

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: April 19, 2023

A small sailboat can take you big places

Small sailboats are the ticket to going cruising NOW — not when you retire, save up enough money, or find the “perfect” bluewater cruising boat. In fact, it’s the first principle in Lin and Larry Pardey’s cruising philosophy: “Go small, go simple, go now.”

Small yachts can be affordable, simple, and seaworthy . However, you won’t see many of them in today’s cruising grounds. In three years and 13,000 nautical miles of bluewater cruising, I could count the number of under 30-foot sailboats I’ve seen on one hand (all of them were skippered by people in their 20s and 30s).

Today’s anchorages are full of 40, 50, and 60-foot-plus ocean sailboats, but that’s not to say you can’t sail the world in a small sailboat. Just look at Alessandro di Benedetto who in 2010 broke the record for the smallest boat to sail around the world non-stop in his 21-foot Mini 6.5 .

So long as you don’t mind forgoing a few comforts, you can sail around the world on a small budget .

What makes a good blue water sailboat

While you might not think a small sailboat is up to the task of going long distances, some of the best bluewater sailboats are under 40 feet.

However, if you’re thinking about buying a boat for offshore cruising, there are a few things to know about what makes a small boat offshore capable .

Smaller equals slower

Don’t expect to be sailing at high speeds in a pocket cruiser. Smaller displacement monohulls are always going to be slower than larger displacement monohulls (see the video below to learn why smaller boats are slower). Therefore a smaller cruiser is going to take longer on a given passage, making them more vulnerable to changes in weather.

A few feet can make a big difference over a week-long passage. On the last leg of our Pacific Ocean crossing, our 35-foot sailboat narrowly avoid a storm that our buddy boat, a 28-foot sailboat, couldn’t. Our friend was only a knot slower but it meant he had to heave to for a miserable three days.

Small but sturdy

If a pocket cruiser encounters bad weather, they will be less able to outrun or avoid it. For this reason, many of the blue water sailboats in this list are heavily built and designed to take a beating.

Yacht design has changed dramatically over the last 50 years. Today, new boats are designed to be light and fast. The small sailboats in our list are 30-plus year-old designs and were built in a time when weather forecasts were less accurate and harder to come by.

Back in the day, boat were constructed with thicker fiberglass hulls than you see in modern builds. Rigs, keels, rudders, hulls and decks – everything about these small cruising sailboats was designed to stand up to strong winds and big waves. Some of the boats in this post have skeg-hung rudders and most of them are full keel boats.

The pros and cons of pocket cruiser sailboats

Pocket cruiser sailboats present certain advantages and disadvantages.

More affordable

Their smaller size makes them affordable bluewater sailboats. You can often find great deals on pocket cruisers and sometimes you can even get them for free.

You’ll also save money on retrofits and repairs because small cruising sailboats need smaller boat parts (which cost a lot less) . For example, you can get away with smaller sails, ground tackle, winches, and lighter lines than on a bigger boat.

Moorage, haul-outs, and marine services are often billed by foot of boat length . A small sailboat makes traveling the world , far more affordable!

When something major breaks (like an engine) it will be less costly to repair or replace than it would be on a bigger boat.

Less time consuming

Smaller boats tend to have simpler systems which means you’ll spend less time fixing and paying to maintain those systems. For example, most small yachts don’t have showers, watermakers , hot water, and electric anchor windlasses.

On the flip side, you’ll spend more time collecting water (the low-tech way) . On a small sailboat, this means bucket baths, catching fresh water in your sails, and hand-bombing your anchor. Though less convenient, this simplicity can save you years of preparation and saving to go sailing.

Oh, and did I mention that you’ll become a complete water meiser? Conserving water aboard becomes pretty important when you have to blue-jug every drop of it from town back to your boat.

Easier to sail

Lastly, smaller boats can be physically easier to sail , just think of the difference between raising a sail on a 25-foot boat versus a 50-foot boat! You can more easily single-hand or short-hand a small sailboat. For that reason, some of the best solo blue water sailboats are quite petite.

As mentioned above small boats are slow boats and will arrive in port, sometimes days (and even weeks) behind their faster counterparts on long offshore crossings.

Consider this scenario: two boats crossed the Atlantic on a 4,000 nautical mile route. The small boat averaged four miles an hour, while the big boat averaged seven miles an hour. If both started at the same time, the small boat will have completed the crossing two weeks after the larger sailboat!

Less spacious

Living on a boat can be challenging — living on a small sailboat, even more so! Small cruising boats don’t provide much in the way of living space and creature comforts.

Not only will you have to downsize when you move onto a boat you’ll also have to get pretty creative when it comes to boat storage.

It also makes it more difficult to accommodate crew for long periods which means there are fewer people to share work and night shifts.

If you plan on sailing with your dog , it might put a small boat right out of the question (depending on the size of your four-legged crew member).

Less comfortable

It’s not just the living situation that is less comfortable, the sailing can be pretty uncomfortable too! Pocket cruisers tend to be a far less comfortable ride than larger boats as they are more easily tossed about in big ocean swell.

Here are our 5 favorite small blue water sailboats for sailing around the world

When we sailed across the Pacific these were some of the best small sailboats that we saw. Their owners loved them and we hope you will too!

The boats in this list are under 30 feet. If you’re looking for something slightly larger, you might want to check out our post on the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet .

Note: Price ranges are based on SailboatListings.com and YachtWorld.com listings for Aug. 2018

Albin Vega 27($7-22K USD)

The Albin Vega has earned a reputation as a bluewater cruiser through adventurous sailors like Matt Rutherford, who in 2012 completed a 309-day solo nonstop circumnavigation of the Americas via Cape Horn and the Northwest Passage (see his story in the documentary Red Dot on the Ocean ).

Hull Type: Long fin keel
Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)
Length Overall:27′ 1″ / 8.25m
Waterline Length:23′ 0″ / 7.01m
Beam:8′ 1″ / 2.46m
Draft:3′ 8″ / 1.12m
Rig Type: Masthead sloop rig
Displacement:5,070lb / 2,300kg
Designer:Per Brohall
Builder:Albin Marine AB (Swed.)
Year First Built:1965
Year Last Built:1979
Number Built:3,450

Cape Dory 28 ($10-32K USD)

This small cruising sailboat is cute and classic as she is rugged and roomy. With at least one known circumnavigation and plenty of shorter bluewater voyages, the Cape Dory 28 has proven herself offshore capable.

Hull Type: Full Keel
Length Overall:28′ 09″ / 8.56m
Waterline Length:22′ 50″ / 6.86m
Beam:8’ 11” / 2.72m
Draft:4’ 3” / 1.32m
Rig Type:Masthead Sloop
Displacement:9,300lb / 4,218kg
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:52
Displacement/Length Ratio:49
Designer: Carl Alberg
Builder: Cape Dory Yachts (USA)
Year First Built:1974
Year Last Built:1988
Number Built: 388

Dufour 29 ($7-23K)

As small bluewater sailboats go, the Dufour 29 is a lot of boat for your buck. We know of at least one that sailed across the Pacific last year. Designed as a cruiser racer she’s both fun to sail and adventure-ready. Like many Dufour sailboats from this era, she comes equipped with fiberglass molded wine bottle holders. Leave it to the French to think of everything!

Hull Type: Fin with skeg-hung rudder
Length Overall:29′ 4″ / 8.94m
Waterline Length:25′ 1″ / 7.64m
Beam:9′ 8″ / 2.95m
Draft:5′ 3″ / 1.60m
Displacement:7,250lb / 3,289kg
Designer:Michael Dufour
Builder:Dufour (France)
Year First Built:1975
Year Last Built:1984

Vancouver 28 ($15-34K)

A sensible small boat with a “go-anywhere” attitude, this pocket cruiser was designed with ocean sailors in mind. One of the best cruising sailboats under 40 feet, the Vancouver 28 is great sailing in a small package.

Hull Type:Full keel with transom hung rudder
Length Overall: 28′ 0″ / 8.53m
Waterline Length:22’ 11” / 6.99m
Beam:8’ 8” / 2.64m
Draft:4’ 4” / 1.32m
Rig Type: Cutter rig
Displacement:8,960lb / 4,064 kg
Designer: Robert B Harris
Builder: Pheon Yachts Ltd. /Northshore Yachts Ltd.
Year First Built:1986
Last Year Built: 2007
Number Built: 67

Westsail 28 ($30-35K)

Described in the 1975 marketing as “a hearty little cruiser”, the Westsail 28 was designed for those who were ready to embrace the cruising life. Perfect for a solo sailor or a cozy cruising couple!

Hull Type: Full keel with transom hung rudder
Hull Material:GRP (fibreglass)
Length Overall:28′ 3” / 8.61m
Waterline Length:23’ 6” / 7.16m
Beam:9’ 7” / 2.92m
Displacement:13,500lb / 6,124kg
Designer: Herb David
Builder: Westsail Corp. (USA)
Number Built:78

Feeling inspired? Check out the “go small” philosophy of this 21-year-old who set sail in a CS 27.

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.

Saturday 1st of September 2018

Very useful list, but incomplete - as it would necessarily be, considering the number of seaworthy smaller boats that are around.

In particular, you missed/omitted the Westerly "Centaur" and its follow-on model, the "Griffon". 26 feet LOA, bilge-keelers, weighing something over 6000 pounds, usually fitted with a diesel inboard.

OK, these are British designs, and not that common in the US, but still they do exist, they're built like tanks, and it's rumored that at least one Centaur has circumnavigated.

Friday 31st of August 2018

This is a helpful list, thank you. I don't think most people would consider a 28' boat a pocket cruiser, though!

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

Forums New posts Unanswered threads Register Top Posts Email
What's new New posts New Posts (legacy) Latest activity New media
Media New media New comments
Boat Info Downloads Weekly Quiz Topic FAQ 10000boatnames.com
Classifieds Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale
Parts General Marine Parts Hunter Beneteau Catalina MacGregor Oday
Help Terms of Use Monday Mail Subscribe Monday Mail Unsubscribe

Production Boats That Have Circumnavigated

Thread starter Maine Sail
Start date Oct 2, 2011
Forums for All Owners
Ask All Sailors

Hi All, I would like to start a list of links to known production boats, Hunter, Catalina, Beneteau, Jeanneau, O'day etc. that have gone around without serious modifications. The rules: 1- Production boats that have circumnavigated this list CAN include other than the above mentioned vessels but they MUST be similarly designed and constructed to the mentioned boats. The list will not include boats sold as "blue water", have a reputation as "blue water", have a full keel or cutaway, are known to be stoutly built etc. etc.... East Coast short jaunts, carib etc. does not count. Boats must have crossed either the Pacific or Atlantic oceans or both. Roaring 40's even better. 2- Boats shall have been, for the most part stock. No structural improvements, hull stiffening, chain plate mods, rudder mods, added bulkheads, drastic port light modifications (through bolting ports is fine) etc. etc.. Wind gen, solar, self steering, life rafts, & standard cruising equipment etc. are all fine. This is a list of non "blue water" production boats that have done it. 3- Submissions shall include a link to a blog discussing the circumnavigation or the boats name, make and model and the route they chose. 4- PLEASE DO NOT POST unless you have a boat that meets the above criteria. I want this list to be a tool for folks to use when these discussions come up so they can see that this CAN be done if you are competent and plan accordingly. 5- Posts in this thread that are not relevant and do not include the information will simply be deleted or moved to keep this discussion clean.

Beneteau 393 Sailor = Mark J. Boat = Beneteau 393 Vessel Name = Sea Life Route Traveled = Circumnavigation Blog/Web Site = http://www.ourlifeatsea.com/ (warning very slow site) Last Known Location = Grenada Personal Statements = "Sea Life is a much loved Beneteau 393 sailing yacht. Mark and Sea Life have just completed their first circumnavigation of the world. Leaving in 2008 and visiting the Caribbean, Panama, Galapagos, Marquesas, Tonga, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Salalah, Oman, Egypt, Turkey, Greece - The Greek Islands, Italy, France, the Canary Islands and back to the Caribbean via the Atlantic Ocean. We have relaxed under palm trees, anchored in a catagory 5 cyclone, witnessed a Somali Pirate attack, and met wonderful people and seen the worlds most spectacular sights."

http://www.latitude38.com/features/circumnav.html This is a latitude 38 list of boats and crews that have circumnavigated. It reads like an inventory of all of the boat brands we have ever known.

Hunter 34 Hunter 34 ' s Sailor = Peter Keating Boat = 1984 Hunter 34 Hail Port = Hobart, Australia Route Traveled = Sailed the boat across the Atlantic to Lisbon via the Azores, and then down and across the Atlantic to West Indies and Panama and across to Australia and Tasmania. 2007/2008 Blog/Web Site = ? Current Location = Completed? Sailor = Richard Bennet, Boat = Hunter 34 Route Traveled = Atlantic Crossing / Chesapeake to home in England, 2007. Blog/Web Site = ? Current Location = Completed? Relevant Link: http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=103943

Sailor = Liz & Andy Copeland Boat = Beneteau 40 Vessel Name = Bagheera Route Traveled = Circumnavigation ? Blog/Web Site = ? Sailor = Andy Lepiarczyk Boat = Beneteau 30 Vessel Name = Mighty Chicken Route Traveled = Circumnavigation ? Blog/Web Site = ?

Sailor = Tony Skidmore Boat = Albin Vega Vessel Name = Lorna Doone Route Traveled = Victoria B.C. to Hawaii, Line Islands, Tonga, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Cairns Australia, Indian Ocean to Reunion, Durban, around the Cape of Good Hope and north to Antigua, Colon and through the Panama Canal to Balboa, to Hawaii completing the circumnavigation and then return to Victoria. Blog/Web Site = http://americanvega.org/images/Lorna_Doone_pt_1.pdf Last Known Location = Completed Personal Statements = Stock boat except for a refit before the trip. Singlehanded and completed in 30 months, from 1994 to 1996. EDIT: I'll keep this on the list for now but Lorna Doone was structurally modified and, IMHO, rather stoutly built to begin with. Not quite a typical "production" boat by today's standards...

Sailor = Patrick Childress Boat = Catalina 27 Vessel Name = Juggernaut Route Traveled = Circumnavigation Blog/Web Site = http://www.catalinayachts.com/pdf/halfoffame/ACFB0.pdf EDIT: I'll keep this on the list for now but that boat was FAR from stock and was heavily modified.

Guys, Please feel free to copy & paste the format into your posts as it will make this reference far easier to read for future reference. Sailor = Boat = Vessel Name = Route Traveled = Blog/Web Site = Last Known Location = Personal Statements = You don't have to have all the bullets, but the more info the better. We also don't need the sailors full names just a John & Patti C. would be fine..

Sailor = Mike Harker Boat = 2007 Hunter 49 Vessel Name = Wanderlust III Cruise = Circumnavigation 2007-08 Blog/Web Site = http://www.h-tv.com/wanderlust/default.htm

Sailor = Mike Harker Boat = Hunter 46 Vessel Name = Wanderlust II Cruise = Two solo Atlantic crossings, Pacific crossing, etc. Blog/Web Site = http://www.cruisingworld.com/news/eight-bells

Sailor = Martins Boat = Catalina 42 Vessel Name = Ohana Kai Route Traveled = West thru Suez & Panama Canal Blog/Web Site = http://ohanakai.net/adventurefolder/Adventure/adv.html Last Known Location = Central America? Personal Statements = Not sure if they modified the boat though.

I knew I had seen a couple stories about Catalina 36s too - Took a few minutes to find: Sailor = Mortensen Boat = Catalina 36 Vessel Name = Patriot Route Traveled = West to Suez & Panama Blog/Web Site = http://www.catalinayachts.com/pdf/halfoffame/Patriot-HOF-web.pdf Last Known Location = ? Personal Statements = No clue on modifications Sailor = Burns family Boat = Catalina 36 Vessel Name = WIndancer Route Traveled = Alaska to NZ Blog/Web Site = http://www.sailblogs.com/member/winddancer/ Last Known Location = ? Personal Statements = Supposedly not many

And now for a Catalina 36 Failure just to keep folks from saying I'm being selective ;-) http://www.equipped.com/0698rescue.htm

Sailor = Gerry & Nicky Cooper Boat = 1991 Hunter 433 Vessel Name = Orpailleur Route Traveled = Jax, FL to Townsville, Australia. Blog/Web Site = www.orpailleur.blogspot.com Last Known Location = NZ Personal Statements =6 months thru Caribbean, then Panama and 6 months thru Pacific to Australia.

Ocean Crossing in my Hunter 41DS I just completed making 6500 miles across the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean sea in my Hunter 41DS production boat. She performed very well with no structural improvements, in fact, if anything, the addition of solar panels, wind turbine, davits, SSB antennae might be considered a slight reduction in structural integrity. We experienced varied weather and sea conditions including 25-35 knot winds on the nose for over 4 days. We utilized a storm sail that worked perfectly sleaved over the rolled up headsail. We also flew a large a-sail in 15-18 knot tail winds with no problems. I must say, I did not feel I was on a whimpy boat and actually felt very secure with her pounding through some very steep waves and furthermore, when we finally reached the point of coastal cruising, we had much comfort with this production boat. I still have approximately another 8500 miles to go including one more crossing of the Atlantic ocean and can give a better update in 2 years. Don

Contessa 25. Idylle 15.5, J-145, J-160, Hylas 54, Pan Oceanic 43, Does Fatty's boat count?

Bob Dobbins Pearson Triton ca. 1988. US to Spain and return. don't suppose my Vancouver 32 counts but it circumnavigated with previous owner and I sailed it trans Atlantic to Seville in 2004.

Sailor = Jean Vaury Boat = Beneteau First 285 Vessel Name = Little Wing Route Traveled = US to Italy Blog/Web Site = http://www.first285.com/atlantic/ Last Known Location = ? Personal Statements =

Dan Johnson

The Coronado 27 I owned was originally commissioned in Sausalito by the first owner, sailed out of the San Francisco Bay, down the west coast, through the Panama Canal, across the Carribean, around Florida, up the east coast to the Chesapeake Bay. After three more owners, I bought it and eventually sold it to a young Navy petty officer out of Norfolk. When last spoken with several years ago, he was planning to head down the intercoastal and cross to the Bahamas.

Windjammer III

Hunter 460 Sailor = David and Jenny Boat = Hunter 460, 2000 model. Route Traveled = Atlantic crossing just completed from New York City to Lisbon via the Azores. Purchased boat in the British Virgin Islands and so have also sailed the Caribbean and east coast of the US. Intend to cruise Med for a few years before taking boat home to Australia. Blog/Web Site = http://windjammer3.blogspot.com Current Location = Portugal, Portimao General Comments = We experienced one gale on the way across and did not feel threatened or less than confident with the boat's ability to handle it. In fact the boat and wind vane coped very well. Windjammer III has had a different rudder fitted ie one with a stainless steel shaft which replaced the carbon fibre/frp-stocked rudder as there had been a number of failures of these type rudders on these designs. The replacement rudder is a stock item and was purchased through Hunter I might add. If I remember correctly, Hunter have had stainless stocked replacement rudders available since around 2005. I also converted the boat to a cutter rig from a sloop rig, which I'm pleased I did.

This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

An attempt at circumnavigating Earth on a small sailboat

Sailing from San Francisco to San Francisco

Preparation

Please note that I haven’t updated this page much following the acquisition of Changabang, so it’s all generic stuff. I recommend reading through my blog though. It’s not much technical as there are plenty resources for the one who wants to get detailed technical information about certain aspects of the preparation; this blog is more about my journey.

Let’s talk about how to prepare a sailboat for a singlehanded circumnavigation. Experience has taught us that one can never be ready enough for an offshore passage. Why is that? It’s simple: the oceans can be very destructive. If the time it takes to complete the course or passage is significantly longer than the forecast horizon you’re never certain that no storm will hit you, nor can you really avoid them unless you’ve got one very fast boat. Depending on where you live and the time of year the forecast horizon could be as little as 1-2 days, or as long as 7-10 days. We’re planning for a circumnavigation, non-stop, solo, without external assistance, where we will cross hurricane zones during local hurricane season, which will last about 200 days, so, yes, being ready is pretty much like the Holy Grail for us.

Never enough

In addition, in the interest of time and cost, we will have to make choices. We also lack experience, which is truly essential for this type of adventure. As a result, some corners will be cut, some things will be forgotten, omitted. It’s not going to be perfect. But let’s make it clear: luck is a significant factor in this kind of adventure. Some of the historical circumnavigations were completed in spite of some serious flaws (Sir Robin Knox Johnston’s boat had a leaking keel , the fixing of which required shooting a shark down; the hull of Webb Chiles’ boat was cracking open at the seam – seriously; in his sailboat circumnavigation aboard Gypsy Moth IV Sir Francis Chichester thought is boat of very poor design but he left anyway).

On the other hand, some very experienced skippers aboard professionally prepared sailboats did not come back. So, as was written somewhere else, planned for the worst, hope for the best, and cross your fingers!

With that out of the way, we will look at the preparation in several categories (each addressing the core items, replacement and repair strategies, required tools, etc.):

Boat preparation , which includes everything that would be considered non-removable: hull, keel, rudder, spars (mast, boom, spreaders, etc), standing rigging, etc; for the sake of simplification we’re going to included sails and running rigging here;
All equipment : engine, electronics, electrical systems, life raft, etc.;
Navigation : everything that relates to navigation such as weather forecasts, charts, weather routing software, etc.;
Human factors : food, water, mental preparation, training, medical preparedness, etc.

Common themes throughout this preparation will be S.P.A.R.:

S implify: if something is hard to do, it will not be done when tired and pressed for time; all systems operations and boat manoeuvers should simple to execute;
P ractice: it takes many repetitions to be able to execute any task; one must be well prepared such that tiredness, stress, injuries won’t impede on the outcome ;
A ttitude: there is nothing more powerful than a positive attitude; learning to cultivate one is intrinsic to the success of this adventure;
R edundancy: things will fail, backup solutions will fail; there should be a back for the back up of everything, and the ability to repair everything.

So much planning! Are you ready for more?

20 Bluewater Cruising Sailboats Under $100,000

January 5, 2021 by Travis Turgeon 2 Comments

Choosing the right bluewater yacht for your needs requires a ton of research. With so many designs and features available, it can be overwhelming trying to narrow down your options. The process gets even more complicated when you begin to consider the personal opinions of other sailors.

So how do you know where to start? Every person’s definition of comfortability will vary when it comes to onboard living. What suits a family of four won’t necessarily suit a couple or a single-handed sailor. Your budget, style, and needs are all unique to you and your situation, so it’s essential to know just what to look for when buying a new or used vessel .

To start you off in the right direction, we put together a list of our top choices for bluewater cruising yachts under $100,000.

Allied Princess 36

Built as a long-keel ketch or cutter, the Allied Princess 36 was in production from 1972 to 1982. Around 140 vessels were manufactured in total, so you can occasionally find them on the used market.

While these cruisers’ design and construction are considered sufficient, the excessive use of fiberglass makes the design a bit bland. Although they may not have the most appealing design, these bluewater yachts certainly tick a lot of boxes.

With the full-keel measuring just four-foot six inches, it’s a design that holds steady on its course without pointing as high as a fin-keel design.

Overall, the Allied Princess 36 is a wonderful option for bluewater sailing.

Prices range between $30,000 and $60,000.

Cabo Rico 38

The Cabo Rico 38 is at the top of its class, constructed with a long-keel cutter rig design that gives it outstanding bluewater capabilities for its price point. The vessel was produced in two models – Pilothouse, and Trunk Cabin – although the Pilothouse design is less common.

Cabo Rico i s consistently successful with it s 38 models, and t hey remain one of the most prominent cruising boats on the water.

Internally, this boat has various features required for a bluewater cruiser: Large water and fuel tanks, a solid design with balsa wood cores for thermal and noise insulation, and an overall seaworthy design.

While this boat wasn’t m eant to win races, it is a fantastic choice for a crui sing vessel.

Prices range between $30,000 and $80,000.

Celestial 48

The Celestial 48 is the largest boat on our list and is commonly sought after by the cruising fraternity. The problem is, these vessels are scarce on the used market.

The Celestial 48 is a ketch rig with a shoal-draft, fin-keel design, and a center-cockpit configuration that is comfortable and ideal for bluewater sailing. One of our favorite features is the six-foot, two-inch headroom in the cabin, along with high-capacity water and fuel tanks.

The Celestial 48 was built in China by the Xiamen boatyard, although it’s no longer in production.

If you can find one, the Celestial 48 will make an excellent bluewater cruiser.

Prices start near our $100,000 mark.

The Corbin 39 is manufactured in two designs, aft or center cockpit. Designed and built in Canada by Robert Dufour and Marius Corbin, the 39 is now (sadly) out of production. This cruiser remains a favorite of many and is still commonly searched for on the used market.

One thing to note is that most of the boats were sold as unfinished kits, leaving owners to complete the interiors themselves. For this reason, the standard of interior design finish will vary, so it’s worth checking and comparing with other vessels carefully.

When found, the Corbin 39’s present a very reasonable price tag, but a full survey is essential.

Prices range between $40,000 and $60,000.

The Freedom 36 is one of the smaller yachts on our list, but it has an exciting design that attracts cruisers. The wide beam and long waterline design allow for a much larger interior than most other boats of similar length. As a cruiser, space is a top priority, so this cruiser should be on your list of considerations.

A unique feature of this Freedom yacht is the stayless carbon fiber mast. It looks a little odd for most, with no forestay or backstay and a mast that flexes alarmingly in the wind. It’s a proven design, though, and gives clean lines just like an aircraft wing.

The Freedom 36 is certainly an exciting cruiser to keep an eye on.

Prices range between $40,000 and $80,000.

Gulfstar 44

Known as a capable cruiser or live-aboard boat, the Gulfstar 44 is a spacious yacht that can take you around the world.

Designed with a fin-keel and skeg-rudder, the Gulfstar is comfortable and well built.

Internally, you’ll find a large galley, king-size aft cabin, and spacious fore cabin, with ample room in the saloon. Earlier Gulfstar vessels suffered from inconsistent build quality, but from around 1976 onwards, the company made huge improvements.

For a spacious bluewater sailboat with excellent heavy-weather handling characteristics, the Gulfstar 44 is a great choice.

Prices start around $60,000.

Hans Christian 38

If you’re considering cruising the world in a bluewater yacht, then the Hans Christian 38-T should be added to your shortlist of candidates.

With a full-length keel design and laden with solid teak, this boat weighs in at 12.5 tons, making it a heavy displacement vessel that you can rely on to take you through some of the harshest conditions.

Manufactured in Taiwan, these cruisers can be a chore to acquire. One of the most common downfalls of the Hans 38-T is electrical problems, so be sure to get the wiring checked out by a professional.

Outside of electrical issues, this boat is a proven winner in the cruising world.

Prices start around $70,000 but expect to pay well over $100,000 for the more admirable models.

Hinckley Bermuda 40

The Hinckley Bermuda 40 was in production for over 30 years, from 1959 until 1991, but only 203 boats were manufactured in total. Many Bermuda 40s were used as racing vessels throughout their production, winning the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy in 1964.

The design also gained many admirers in the cruising world thanks to the long keel and centerboard, which allows the boat to maneuver through shallow waters. The Hinckley Bermuda 40 is hard to beat for versatility, combining classic looks with the shallow draught and generous interior space.

Early models from the 60s and 70s start around $80,000, but later models land well above our $100,000 threshold.

Island Packet 35

Although only in production for six years, 178 Island Packet 35s made their way onto the market. These vessels have become justifiably popular with coastal cruisers and bluewater sailors alike.

These cruisers are available in two designs; long-keel or long-keel with centerboard – both of which come with cutter rigging.

The design is conservative and built for comfort rather than speed. Inside space is very generous, with a 12-foot beam, a v-berth cabin in the forepeak, and a double cabin on the aft port side.

Island Packet 35’s appear on the used market regularly, so locating one shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.

Prices start at around $65,000.

The Niagara 35 is a popular cruiser available in two exciting models, each one coming with a fantastic interior design.

The original model features a center galley and marine toilet that separates the fore and aft areas. The saloon is completely closed off, making it useful during extended passage journeys.

The later model has a double-berth forward, separated from the saloon by the head and shower. Both models include a spacious cockpit design. Through its 12 years of production, 260 Niagara 35’s went on the market – so you can regularly find them for sale.

Early models start around $30,000, with later models coming in closer to $70,000.

White Nordic 40 sailboat with blue sails in a marina

Only 32 of the Robert Perry-designed Nordic 40s went through production, making them exclusive and difficult to find. If you do manage to get your hands on one, however, you won’t be disappointed.

The fin-keel and skeg-mounted rudder design allow for up to six people to stay comfortably, including extra storage space for luggage and provisions.

The Perry design is recognized for the quality of its fittings, including rod-rigging and full hull insulation on early models. After 1987, they cut back on a few design features, but it’s still a quality boat.

If you can manage to find a Nordic 40, it will make an excellent investment.

While it may be rare to find one below our $100,000 mark, it is possible.

Passport 40

Built in Taiwan, the Passport 40 is another excellent design by Robert Perry. Sporting a fin-keel and a skeg-mounted rudder, the design is known for its well-balanced performance.

Originally supplied with a sloop-rig, the majority have an inner stay, fitted to allow a double headsail. This cutter-style rig makes the Passport 40 even more suitable for ocean crossings.

The interiors are well designed – as you’d expect from a Robert Perry – and make for comfortable living during long passages.

Peterson 44

The Peterson 44 was designed and built as a performance cruiser, combining sufficient speed and sea-kindly handling.

A low center-cockpit, 10,000 pounds of lead ballast, and a long fin keel allow this vessel to take turbulent conditions in stride without sacrificing the crew’s comfort.

Internally, there is plenty of space in the well-designed cabin. For long passages, there’s a 132-gallon water tank and a 117-gallon fuel tank.

Finding a Peterson 44 may be your only problem. They manufactured about 200 boats, but owners rarely like to part with them – adding to their intrigue and value.

Prices for these yachts vary widely. Expect to pick up an older model between $50,000 and $75,000.

Prout Snowgoose 37

As the only catamaran on our list, the Prout Snowgoose 37 is a proven boat for circumnavigation on the bluewater trail.

A standout feature of the early Snowgoose models is its narrow beam, which allows them to navigate canals easily. These boats are popular in Europe and are common on the journey between Spain and France on the Mediterranian. Additionally, the Prout Snowgoose 37 can fit into a single-hull marina, reducing berthing costs when compared to most other catamarans.

If you have never considered a catamaran in the past, the Prout Snowgoose 37 may change your mind.

Prices start near $45,000, with later models reaching over $100,000.

Two people on the back of a Shannon 38 sailboat

The Shannon 38 comes in two styles, with either an aft cockpit or pilothouse. Shannon Yachts are known for their build quality and attention to detail, and the 38 is no exception. The boat is available as either a ketch or cutter rig, but it’s renowned for its performance at sea in both forms.

Only 100 were built, with the final boat launched in 1988. If you can find one on the used market, it will make a competent bluewater cruiser.

Prices start at $40,000 for older models, with newer models inching closer to our $100,000 mark.

Tartan 4100 Spark sailboat on a cloudy day

Only 80 of the Tartan 41s were manufactured, although they produced a similar Tartan 43 with the same molds. It is a fin keel design, with a skeg-mounted rudder and sloop-rigging. In its day, it was considered a fast cruiser, but now they’re mostly made for comfort.

If you’re looking at a Tartan 41, check out the keel dimensions. The keel was undersized on earlier models, which caused heavy-weather steering issues. The boatyard redesigned the later models, and some retrofitting has been done on the originals.

Prices start around $45,000 and reach upwards of $70,000.

Tayana 37 bluewater sailboat with an American flag

No list of bluewater sailboats would be complete without the Tayana 37. It’s a beautiful boat designed by Robert Perry that comes in three variants; cutter, ketch, and pilothouse.

Built to compete against the popular Westsail 32, the 37 became a good seller – with almost 600 launched to date. Today, they are manufactured in limited numbers, as the traditional teak-heavy design is now less popular.

If you can find a good Tayana 37, cruising the oceans will be a pleasure in this sturdy and robust vessel.

Early models cost around $45,000, with newer or retrofitted models topping $75,000.

Valiant 40 cruiser with white sails designed by Robert Perry

Another boat designed by Robert Perry, the Valiant 40 is one of the most sought-after bluewater cruisers on the used market. By the end of production, two manufacturers were able to put out around 200 boats, so it’s certainly possible to get your hands on one.

With a fin keel, reasonably heavy displacement, and solid build, open ocean cruising is made comfortable in the Valiant 40.

The Valiant’s trademark is the canoe stern, something Perry has carried over into many of his designs. The boat’s performance sets it apart from the more traditional heavy-cruisers, and it still has many admirers.

Expect to pay upwards of $45,000 for an early Valiant, but well-maintained vessels will command much higher prices.

Wauquiez Pretorien 35

When the weather gets rough, most people prefer bigger, heavier cruisers. Small boats generally don’t perform as well in harsh conditions, but the Pretorien 35 is an exception.

Built to IOR specifications, it’s a short, wide-beam design, with a ballast in the keel that makes up half of the displacement. It may be disappointing in light winds, but as the breeze picks up, the Pretorien comes alive.

Wauquiez built boats are known for their quality finish, so you shouldn’t hold any doubts when buying a used Pretorien.

Prices start around $39,000.

Westsail 32

At just 32 feet, the Westsail might be a surprising inclusion on our list. However, the design has proven itself many times over and remains popular with many cruisers.

With a long keel, transom-mounted rudder, and heavy displacement, these are seaworthy yachts.

The flipside to this is that the performance can be underwhelming. The Westsails are known for being slow, safe boats that will get you wherever you need to go – making them perfect for leisurely cruising.

Over 800 vessels entered the market between 1971 and 1981, so there should be plenty available if you look hard enough. The other point to remember is that they sold them as owner-completion kits, so the internal fitments, in particular, will vary in quality.

With so many available, the prices remain reasonable – with an early Westsail 32 fetching around $29,000 and well-maintained older models coming in closer to $50,000.

Remember: When buying a bluewater cruising yacht for less than $100,000, compromise is inevitable.

If you’re looking for a seaworthy, heavy-displacement design, you’ll have to compromise on the boat’s age. Choosing a modern, light design will allow you more for your money.

The best advice for buying a boat is to be truly honest with yourself by defining your needs and separating them from your desires.

Want to join the community at #BoatLife? Get a conversation started on our new forum by leaving a question or comment!

If you found this article helpful, please leave a comment below, share it on social media, and subscribe to our email list.

For direct questions and comments, shoot me an email at [email protected]

Sharing is caring!

Reader Interactions

November 15, 2021 at 6:30 pm

You guys didn’t mention Cape dory or pacific seacraft. How long have you been sailing?

February 18, 2022 at 1:37 pm

Very nicely done. There will always be people who disagree with your list but they reserve the right to comment without creating any value which is what you provided. Thanks for putting this together.

Keep In Touch

Thank you for reading.

Join our online crew and find more about the #boatlife

Cruising Forums

Cruising Forum
Bosun's Locker
The Multihull Club
Living Aboard
Marine Industry Vendors
The Poop Deck

CL Yacht Club

Forum News/Announcements
Cruiser's Market

Regional Cruising

Med, Atlantic, Caribbean
SE Asia, Red Sea, Indian Ocean
Pacific & Australasia
General Marine Weather

Message Buoy (Contact)

General Messages
Overdue/Distress Reports
Position Reports
To Absent Friends

Cruising/Sailing Wiki

Cruising & Sailing Wiki Discussion

Recent Photos

Forum Listings
Register - it's FREE!
Cruising Crew Wanted
Crew Positions Wanted

		> >

02-28-2007, 05:02 PM

02-28-2007, 09:06 PM

02-28-2007, 10:18 PM

02-28-2007, 11:26 PM

03-01-2007, 09:35 AM

03-01-2007, 09:21 PM

03-01-2007, 11:44 PM

['Magor' date='Feb, 06:02 PM' post='5169']

"His budget is in the region of £150K or thereabouts. The primary goal is to buy a boat that meets the following criteria : --- Capable of undertaking a safe, comfortable circumnavigation for 4 - 5 crew. Length anywhere from 40 to 50+ feet"

03-02-2007, 07:07 AM

03-02-2007, 11:40 AM
	first paragraph, our quick trip from American Samoa to Niuatoptapu, Tonga. Ours was the lightest boat in the group that went there, and we did it about five hours faster than any of the other boats. That is one of the big differences between heavy full-keeler and a lighter, quicker, better pointing fin keeler. Some of the people we've met on those heavy "cruiser friendly" boats suffered blue water passages a lot worse than we did. There was never a passage where I couldn't cook a hot meal or brew coffee every day. Our Sun Fizz is much cheaper to buy than your friend's budget. He couldn't spend that much on one even if he did a complete refit with all new standing rigging. However, it is a different boat to sail than a heavy boat, and your friend needs to sail some of these boats to see what he will be comfortable with. If we were younger and still sailing, I think that I would lobby for a catamaran. I do not believe that a multihull is a good boat for older, less experienced sailors, but I don't have enough experience with them to state this with any authority. \| \| = , ,

03-02-2007, 12:04 PM

03-02-2007, 05:06 PM

03-03-2007, 04:33 PM

03-05-2007, 02:57 PM

03-05-2007, 03:47 PM

03-06-2007, 01:12 AM

03-06-2007, 04:06 AM

03-16-2007, 01:08 PM

JeanneP said:

If we were younger and still sailing, I think that I would lobby for a catamaran. I do not believe that a multihull is a good boat for older, less experienced sailors, but I don't have enough experience with them to state this with any authority.

07-09-2007, 03:22 AM

07-09-2007, 02:58 PM

09-27-2007, 03:30 PM

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
	SailingFaith	The Tavern \| Welcome Aboard	4	02-18-2009 01:00 AM
	Trim50	Overdue & Distress Reports	2	07-02-2008 07:25 PM
	redskiesatnight	General Cruising Forum	0	06-09-2008 07:20 PM
	csiunatc	General Cruising Forum	16	08-13-2006 07:32 AM
	Elliott	General Cruising Forum	5	02-15-2006 10:44 AM

Miscellaneous
Autos & Motorcycle
RV & Travel Trailer

Our Communities

Our communities encompass many different hobbies and interests, but each one is built on friendly, intelligent membership. » More about our Communities

Automotive Communities

Our Automotive communities encompass many different makes and models. From U.S. domestics to European Saloons. » More about our Automotive Communities

RV & Travel Trailer Communities

Our RV & Travel Trailer sites encompasses virtually all types of Recreational Vehicles, from brand-specific to general RV communities. » More about our RV Communities

Marine Communities

Our Marine websites focus on Cruising and Sailing Vessels, including forums and the largest cruising Wiki project on the web today. » More about our Marine Communities

- - - - - - -

Szymon Kuczynski World Record for the Smallest Yacht around the Globe Solo and Non-Stop

Szymon Kuczynski secured a new world record for the smallest yacht to circumnavigate the globe singlehanded and unaided, when he returned to Mayflower Marina in Plymouth on Thursday 17th May.

Szymon, who set sail last year from Plymouth on August 19, completed the circumnavigation in 270 days, 10 hours and 29 minute. The World Sailing Speed Record Council recognizes a similar feat by Alessandro di Benedetto (FRA/ITA) in 2009-10 who sailed a 6.5m (21ft 3.9in) Mini yacht around the world in 268 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes, 12 seconds.

The solo sailor took a classic route round the three famous capes of Africa, Australia and South America . Szymon had been living in a space of just four square metres for over 9 months and accomplished this trip without ever making any stops to ports.

In 2013, he sailed back and forward across the Atlantic Ocean on his self-built, 5m long yacht, “Lilla My” as part of a ‘Call to the Ocean’ race.

And in 2014, Szymon finished his round the world trip- “Maxus Solo Around”- taking the Pasat Route, making stops at ports along the way.

About the boat

The sailboat was manufactured in the Northman shipyard in Poland. The Maxus 22, which is normally used for in-land sailing and close-shore waters, has been adjusted for such and ocean challenge, by changing most of it’s construction.

The hull and rigging have been strengthened and the interior of the yacht has been limited to the essential appliances. The cabin can be hermetically closed, and the hull can still remain floating on the water, even in case of an accident and a complete water flooding inside.

Szymon Kuczynski Journey Statistics

Time: 270 days, 10 hours, 29 minutes. Miles travelled: 29 044. Average speed: 4,5 kt. Maximum speed: 14,9 kt. Books read: 143.

How to Avoid a Gybe Broach – Video Tutorial

The ultimate dummy’s guide to sailing. infographic, spirit yachts announces new contemporary q class yacht project, eight reasons why sailing is the best sport in the world, live your passion, subscribe to our mailing list, one comment.

How could you leave out the most important part of the news. Here it is: 6,36 m.

Forum Listing
Marketplace
Advanced Search
All Topics Sailing
Cruising Under Sail
SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Buying a liveaboard boat for circumnavigation

Add to quote

My wife and I are considering cruising around the world for 5-10 years and in preparation for same are now actively looking for a boat 45-50' in lenght and would welcome suggestions. As we will be cruising outside the EU we are looking for a boat with large fuel/water capacity, a skeg-mounted rudder. As we are currently resident and domiciled in Ireland but palnning to go afar should we consider a boat registered outside the EU (Jersey, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, etc..,) We plan to do a circumnavigation. What are the tax implications when we return from our odyssey? Any advice appreciated! Michael Webb

Why such a big boat? Wiley

This will eneble us to make 200 -300 mile passages with ease and bear in mind we will be like the tortoise, we will have our house with us. I think that 45-50' is as big a yacht that can be managed short-handed

We are not trying to be difficult here...... But with a little effort we can be completely impossible.. A cruising boat that can average a minimum of 8.33knots would lead you toward a lightly loaded cat. Is that what you are looking for? A monohull would require a waterline length of 39ft min. A quick troll on yachtworld.com shows 986 boats in the 45 - 50 ft range, from $100,000 to $500,000. Many of which would not be outstanding cruising boats. A very good list of cruising boats is available here; Mahina Expedition I won't get into the boat size argument, you can come to your own conclusion on that. For the record I have a 42 Whitby. Also for the record I have only sailed +10K, about 4K single handed, mostly in the Caribbean, + 24 years in a small Navy, so I freely admit I don't know my arse from an anchor. If you come back with a few boat brands, and a possible price range we may be of more assistance.

Very broad question....... Hi Michael It depends on where you are in the planning process? If you have done all the necessary book research and have narrowed down your short list to a number of boats, the location of available vessels will dictate where your search will start. If you do not have a short list you need to read the following during the next bleak Irish winter (just like the summer, just colder). 1. Books by John Vigor 2. The Best Used Boat Notebook by John Kretschmer (both editions) 3. Anything by Calder and Casey. etc. etc. IMHO it would be hard to beat the US market at the moment especially with the Euro at 1.43 to the $. You will have to research tax implications when you return to EU waters but I imagine you will be liable for full VAT if you return for a period of time. I am also curious about this as I may be visiting the EU on a US flagged vessel in a few years and I have dual citizenship. Feel free to e-mail me at wmgerry at gmail.com Regards Gerry

I am looking for the experience of people wo have cruised extensively short handed. Most of the boats I have seen are more suitable for marina berthing in the med. I am looking for a boat that can handle a F7-F8 with ease, large tank capacities, maybe a ketch to have a handier sail plan, rudder on a skeg. I have extenive racing experience in everything from Dragons to Cruiser Zero whereas my wife was a dinghy sailor years ago.

Michael, I have a bit of long distance cruising experience and of boats in general* and that is why I asked "Why such a big boat?". All I can assume is Lady Luck shines continuously on you, your pockets are so deep Bill Gates asks you for loans and you are your wife are both iron man and iron woman contest winners. That may seem sarcastic but frankly I don't know where to start. The idea of a couple cruising the world on that sized boat boggles. Had you said: my wife and I and a crew of three I think one might have a winning combination. In my experience a forty ft boat would be quite a handful for a young, smart and strong couple especially if one is talking F7 and above conditions. With inadequate crew, bigger is not safer, nor cheaper, nor more fun. Bests, Wiley * Partial boating experience: First Voyage: three years 1977-1980, 32 ft boat: California to Hawaii to Marquesas, Tuamotus, Societies, Cooks, NZ; pause for delivery of 39 ft boat from Antigua thru Antilles, Netherland Antilles, Panama, Isla Del Coco, Marquesas, Societies. Return NZ from NZ to Societies, Hawaii, California. (Marquesas to NZ portion single-handed) Second Voyage: only 11 months, same 32 ft boat 1983: California, Marquesas, Societies, Hawaii, California. (Hawaii to California single-handed) Small Jaunt: 1986, same 32 ft boat: California to Washington State Delivery: 1993, 65 ft Romsdal trawler: Panama to Washington Sate including Costa Rica and Mexico.

You may wish to read my blog. I went with 41 feet because of the height and strength of my wife (she's only 35 years of age, so vigour isn't the issue). Frankly, your strength is irrelevant. Everything aboard needs to be scaled to the capabilities of the smallest or least able crew, because on a short-handed cruise, that person will be taking half the watches and must, outside of the larger crew's disabling or injury, be able to run the boat unassisted via muscle power and mechanical advantage alone. If you were both six-foot-tall Olympians in peak condition and with several passages of offshore experience, I would say "sure, get a 50 foot ketch", because it is flexible for cruising in a way a sloop-rig isn't. But outside of Ellen MacArthur, who is pretty short but visibly muscled, you have to look for whatever the smaller person can sail, alone, in 30 knots without injury or loss of gear. As for tankage, if you bring a watermaker and bottled water and filters and a raincatcher, you can reduce your potable water tankage considerably.

Yeah, I thought "they'll be lucky if they get 125 mile days on a regular basis" and "if they are buying a bigger sailboat to go faster around the world, a point is being missed." My fuel set-up is predicated on only running the engine at 1,600 RPM (for maximum economy) yielding maybe 4.5 knots in a calm but swelly sea. The schedule is entirely dependent on everything but the clock and the calendar.

A 45 to 50 footer is feasible with two, but We liveaboard and cruise on a Bristol 45.5 (CB sloop with removable inner stay). There are a number of ways to make a bigger boat easier to handle for a couple. For example, we have very large winches that mean that jib handling is not hard work at all. Some of the modern conveniences to consider (and note that virtually all of these make the boat much more complex and expensive): - very large and/or electric or hydraulic winches - heavy duty jib furling (also can be hydraulic) - large windlass because the ground tackle will be heavy - bow thruster (we find that docking in tight circumstances is the toughest task of all; we anchor most times but there are exceptions) All of this needs to be as bullet-proof as possible and it really helps if you repair most, if not all, systems. You might get the odd 200 mile day with a boat in this size range (keep in mind that it is only two people on a fairly heavy and heavily-loaded boat so speeds will not be near what a racing crew could do. Any day we are over 150 miles is a very good day although a more performance-oriented 50 footer would do much better. What sort of budget do you have? This might be a useful starting point in determining how big and how fancy to go.

Well, here comes the dissenting thread, I guess. I personally would not cruise on anything smaller than the mid to upper 30's. Of course, it has always been me, wife, kiddo and at least one worthless mutt. I honestly believe in singlehanding everything. Period. Any boat too big to singlehand is too big. I certainly do not think a properly equipped 40-50 foot boat is too difficult to single. Besides, it is the motoring that is hard, not the sailing part. And don't forget, Camaraderie and his wife cruised all over the place on a Tayana 52. My parents first boat was a Tayana 42. Boat reccomendations would be Tayana 42, Tayana 52, Mason 44, Taswell 44 and 49, Valiant 42 or 50, Passport 40 (and the other Passports), Hylas 49, Anything by Hallberg-Rassy, Oyster. The list goes on. The issue is how much $$ you want to spend (US, of course, I don't do conversions). However, the ability to cross an ocean is really more captain focused then boat focused. I don't doubt that most modern production baots could cross an ocean. I just got a pic from a C400 owner of his boat in Bermuda (second trip). THey have also made HI and other long distance destinations. Many production boats would require modifications in my opinion. Also, legth of a boat is not always a good indicator of its potential speed. Many performace cruisers will exceed hull speed. I will tell you that a C400, my boat, has no problem sitting right on hull speed in a 15-20 wind. Giulietta, a 40 foot mono, will exceed her hull speed and has been clocked over 15 kts. Just some thoughts. - CD

Check the cruising boat stats in my signature. Full list of boats you can sort by size and all the above referenced lists integrated. Good luck! I agree with the small as possible philosophy.

My wife, and I cruise a 46ft. cat. We can't use all the storage, but when we have company. Sometimes as much as 4 plus us. We never feel crowded. There's a statroom for 3 couples, 2 heads, and one shower to be shared. There's 2 bows to seek solitude, and the deck space including tramps isover 1000sq.ft. Get as big as you can afford & afford to keep up, and easily sailed by 2. You will never regret it........ i2f

Michael, I sail a 45 foot by myself and have no problem for handling her. Most of 40 foot are roomy enough for two, a 45 foot give extra space. If your budget is high and really like to have space, then a 50 foot might be for you. Modern boats come with modern equipment. A good crew of 2 can easily sail a 50 foot modern sailboat. If you buy an older boat, you will probably welcome new equipment coming on board before leaving shore. What boat to choose ? How to respond ? What do you like ? Ketch, sloop, cutter, wooden boats, aluminium, fibreglass or even steel boat, it is almost impossible to answer. I do have 150 gal of fuel and I am fine with this. I am not in need of more. I do have 200 gal of waters and I have installed a water-maker. I guess I am using too much water. I have a shower on deck, then when it is warm, it is easy to take a quick shower to get colder. But little showers after little showers, tank gets empty too fast. About tax, here is some info. You buy your boat in your country and pay taxes. When you return, you are all clear. You buy you boat in a foreign country. First you have to register the vessel in your country with your name. Since the boat is outside of your country, you have no taxes to pay. (double-check with your custom) Once you return. You want to sale the boat. Sale it in a foreign country, still no taxes to pay. You want to keep you boat. Once your boat will be in the waters of your country, you will have to pay VAT. Hope this helps a little.

?
176K members

Top Contributors this Month

A couple left their home to move onto a residential cruise ship — see inside their cabin on Villa Vie Odyssey

Angela and Stephen Theriac purchased a cabin on the upcoming residential cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey .
The ship plans to circumnavigate the world every 3½ years. Its launch has been delayed by three months.
The cheapest dual occupancy cabin starts at about $100,000 with an additional $3,500 monthly fee.

2018 was a turning point for Angela Theriac.

In a span of six months, her mom and oldest brothers died, her husband faced a cardiac scare, and she underwent two surgeries.

Her mentality suddenly shifted: She would stop taking life for granted, grinding every day at work, and wondering if she'd ever have time to see the world.

"You know what?" Theriac, 53, a retired school teacher, recalled saying at the time to her husband. "Let's go for this big adventure and live life to the fullest."

That mission drove Theriac and her husband of almost 30 years, 53-year-old Stephen Theriac, to purchase a cabin in March on a never-ending cruise, Villa Vie Odyssey . They bought the cabin just one week after learning about it in a YouTube video.

"Sometimes, you just got to be adventurous and do it," Stephen, a retired deputy sheriff, told BI.

Mikael Petterson, founder and CEO of Villa Vie, told BI in an email on Monday that Villa Vie Odyssey would embark "any day now." The 509-cabin residential cruise ship plans to circumnavigate the world every 3½ years, sailing to 147 countries and 425 destinations along the way.

Petterson declined to provide a specific sail date, saying the ship is still waiting for "the green light from DNV . It's impossible to say which day exactly." DNV is a certification and risk assessment firm.

Villa Vie Odyssey promises amenities like three restaurants, five bars and lounges, a pool, and a golf simulator.

The ship's comprehensive itinerary is a dream for retirees like Angela and Stephen, who say cruising is a "big passion." Destinations include Australia; South America; Walvis Bay, Namibia, and Singapore.

The Odyssey cabin features twin beds and a vanity

The couple has started decorating their floating condo with pillows, artwork, and "personal touches emphasizing storage," Angela said. "Our room is our bedroom, and the ship is our home."

But there's a caveat — while they can spend their days aboard the ship, they're not yet allowed to stay overnight.

The never-ending cruise was initially scheduled to set sail in May from Belfast, Ireland, following Villa Vie's acquisition of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' more than 30-year-old Braemar vessel, now renamed Villa Vie Odyssey. However, Villa Vie has said issues like the aging ship's rudder stocks and recertification have since delayed its departure by three months.

Like many other would-be Villa Vie residents, the Theriacs flew to Belfast for the initial springtime departure date. Since then, the couple said they've been staying at hotels — including some a flight away in Liverpool, UK, where they say the nightly cost is cheaper — and spending time on other cruises.

Petterson said Florida-based Villa Vie has also been providing residents with shuttles to and from the ship, food, drinks, excursions, and lodging, or a daily per diem for those who "choose to do their own thing."

But the couple has been patient and understanding of the delays — because, according to Stephen, "it's a now-or-never kind of thing."

"We're still in pretty good health and financially fine," Stephen said, reflecting on the sight of "80-year-olds getting off Princess ships in walkers." "I don't want to be that old and try to see the world. I want to do it now while I can still enjoy it."

Villa Vie would be the first ship of its kind in 22 years

Villa Vie isn't the only startup that has faced difficulties while trying to launch a never-ending voyage.

The residential cruise industry has been plagued by issues since the inauguration of The World, the only ship of this kind, in 2002.

Since then, startups trying to launch floating condominiums have popped up as quickly as they've sunk — from Miray Cruises' Life at Sea Cruises , which shut down two weeks before its embarkation in November 2023, to Storylines , which has delayed its departure by seven years to 2026.

Miray's former CEO, Kendra Holmes, recently launched GlobeCruises, a concept similar to Life at Sea's three-year cruise , scheduled to sail in April 2025.

As of now, GlobeCruises and Villa Vie are the only options vying to join The World in its extended voyage around the globe.

Are you sailing on a residential cruise ship like Villa Vie, or do you have a tip? Contact the reporter at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @brittanymchang .

Watch: Cruise ship captain breaks down 8 cruise ship disasters in movies and TV

Main content

IMAGES

Fifty Years Ago: First Solo Circumnavigation >> Scuttlebutt Sailing
A Nonstop Solo Circumnavigation
Victoire 34 sailingyacht ready for circumnavigation. For sale at Connect Yachtbrokers
Catalina 425 'Circumnavigation'
Interesting Sailboats: NEW SOLO SAIL CIRCUMNAVIGATION RECORD: AV. SPEED
10 Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation

COMMENTS

10 Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation
10 Best Sailboats for Circumnavigation. 1. Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS. sunrise_sail. Starting off our list with one of the strongest contenders, the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS certainly ticks the luxury box. What's impressive is just how visually striking and spacious the 54DS is.
7 Best-Known Routes for Sailing Around the World (with Maps)
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.
World Circumnavigation Routes for Sailboats
Year 3: French Polynesia to Fiji, store in Fiji. Year 4: Fiji to Australia, store in Australia. Year 5: Australia to South Africa, store in SA. Year 6: SA to the Caribbean. Of course, you'd see a lot less than you would on a 6-year circumnavigation like ours, but you get it done in a fraction of the cost and less risk.
Best Sailboats For Circumnavigation
The best sailboats for circumnavigation include the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS, Neel 51, and Island Packet 349. These boats offer passengers a thoroughly enjoyable sailing experience and the reliability, efficiency, and luxury they need from a long-haul sailing vessel. Circumnavigation is all about navigating the world oceans on a dream sailing ...
Sailing around the world: Cruising couples' top tips ...
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 ...
Best boats for circumnavigation: Your ultimate guide
Oyster 475: Oyster yachts are synonymous with quality, and the 475 is no exception, offering excellent performance and seaworthiness. Outbound 46: This American-built sailboat is designed for bluewater cruising, making it suitable for circumnavigation. Hylas 46: Hylas yachts are celebrated for their strength and beauty, making them a reliable ...
A Nonstop Solo Circumnavigation
The plan was simple, on paper at least: to circumnavigate solo, unsponsored, unassisted and nonstop via the five great capes—Cape Agulhas (Africa), Cape Leeuwin (Australia), South East Cape (Tasmania), South West Cape (New Zealand) and Cape Horn (Chile). On the day of departure, I remember being so exhausted from all the last-minute ...
Sailing Around The World
There's something about sailing around the world that captures the imagination and inspires. For some, it's the reason for learning to sail in the first place. Others only start to think about global circumnavigation as their skills and experience grow. Regardless of what motivates you to circumnavigate, one thing remains true.
Single-Handed Sailing Circumnavigation: The Voyage of Fathom
From 2016 to 2020 I sailed single-handed around the world on 'Fathom', a Vancouver 28 pocket cruising boat after leaving my job, career and land life in my w...
Owners' advice: Top tips for world circumnavigation
Enso's owners jumped into a circumnavigation with both feet, setting off immediately after taking delivery of their new 25 metre Oyster 825. You could say their shakedown cruise was the Oyster World Rally. For the wife, it was a jump into the deep end as her previous sailing experience amounted to a week in Sardinia.
Cruising: Solo Circumnavigators
Now 81-year-old Australian Bill Hatfield is winding down yet another epic circumnavigation—westabout from Queensland, Australia, solo, nonstop and unassisted, against the prevailing winds and currents. At press time, sailing his Northshore 38, L'Eau Commotion, Hatfield was expected to make landfall at Southport, Queensland in mid-February.
9 Safest Catamarans For Cruising, Circumnavigation and Why!
The safest cruising catamarans offer a good beam to length ratio, sail fast, and are over 42ft. These include the Manta 42, the Lagoon 450F, and the Catana 44. They are stable, waterproof, easy to handle in stormy weather, and feature a sturdy design. When boarding a boat, you expect to get to your destination safely, and with your bluewater ...
5 best small sailboats for sailing around the world
Vancouver 28. Photo credit: YachtFathom.co.uk. A sensible small boat with a "go-anywhere" attitude, this pocket cruiser was designed with ocean sailors in mind. One of the best cruising sailboats under 40 feet, the Vancouver 28 is great sailing in a small package. Hull Type:Full keel with transom hung rudder.
17 Best Catamarans for Sailing Around the World
The best catamarans for sailing around the world include: Lagoon 42. The Fountaine Pajot Ipanema 58. Manta 42. Catana 50. Dolphin 42. Gunboat 62. 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.
Twelve Top Bluewater Cruising Boats
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 49. For a boat focused on the needs of the lucrative charter market, the Sun Odyssey 49 has proved a remarkably adept bluewater cruiser. A large cockpit, easily managed sailplan and fine all-round performance obviously have something to do with this; cool features like a dedicated sail locker in the bow and a large nav station belowdecks don't hurt either.
Production Boats That Have Circumnavigated
I would like to start a list of links to known production boats, Hunter, Catalina, Beneteau, Jeanneau, O'day etc. that have gone around without serious modifications. 1- Production boats that have circumnavigated this list CAN include other than the above mentioned vessels but they MUST be similarly designed and constructed to the mentioned boats.
Preparation
With that out of the way, we will look at the preparation in several categories (each addressing the core items, replacement and repair strategies, required tools, etc.): Boat preparation, which includes everything that would be considered non-removable: hull, keel, rudder, spars (mast, boom, spreaders, etc), standing rigging, etc; for the sake ...
20 Bluewater Cruising Sailboats Under $100,000
As the only catamaran on our list, the Prout Snowgoose 37 is a proven boat for circumnavigation on the bluewater trail. A standout feature of the early Snowgoose models is its narrow beam, which allows them to navigate canals easily. These boats are popular in Europe and are common on the journey between Spain and France on the Mediterranian.
Best Boat(s) For Circumnavigation
The difficulty in responding to the basic criteria set by Magor's friend is one of being constructive, ie : A typical sailing circumnavigation of the world is by the trade winds and the Suez and Panama canals; This is a route followed by many cruising sailors; the use of the trade winds makes it a relatively easy sail, although it passes through a number of zones of calms or light winds.
What type of sailboat is suitable for circumnavigation?
Typically, a sailboat with a length of 35 to 45 feet is suitable for circumnavigation, as it provides adequate space for living onboard and carrying the necessary supplies, without being too challenging when sailing. Secondly, the build of the sailboat should be considered. A circumnavigating sailboat should be built for strength, durability ...
Szymon Kuczynski Solo and Non-Stop around the World
Szymon, who set sail last year from Plymouth on August 19, completed the circumnavigation in 270 days, 10 hours and 29 minute. The World Sailing Speed Record Council recognizes a similar feat by Alessandro di Benedetto (FRA/ITA) in 2009-10 who sailed a 6.5m (21ft 3.9in) Mini yacht around the world in 268 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes, 12 seconds.
Best sailboat type for a Circumnavigation : r/sailing
The first person to circumnavigate solo without stopping took 313 days. And really, you want to stop. Also, there is no best type of sailboat for circumnavigation. Every boat is going to have compromises. You can do it like the Pardeys in a small sailboat without an engine, or you can do it in a large boat with all the conforms you can cram in.
Buying a liveaboard boat for circumnavigation
Buying a liveaboard boat for circumnavigation. Jump to Latest ... Boat reccomendations would be Tayana 42, Tayana 52, Mason 44, Taswell 44 and 49, Valiant 42 or 50, Passport 40 (and the other Passports), Hylas 49, Anything by Hallberg-Rassy, Oyster. The list goes on.
See a Couple's Cabin on the Residential Cruise Ship Villa Vie
The 509-cabin residential cruise ship plans to circumnavigate the world every 3½ years, sailing to 147 countries and 425 destinations along the way.