The concept of living aboard a sailboat and traveling the world is becoming increasingly popular. There are more ways to make money nomadically and an abundance of resources to help novice sailors obtain the skills and confidence to make their wildest dreams come true. So, what does it really take to sail around the world?
Letโs dive into the legalities, best types of sailboats, and qualifications youโll need to start your adventure at sea.
First things first: Do you actually want to sail around the world? Yes, the concept of waking up to stunning sunrises over the ocean and sipping a drink on the stern of a boat sounds amazing to most. But itโs important to remember that living on a sailboat is not an easy lifestyle in any way.
Unless you grew up on a sailboat, youโll have to make major adjustments when adapting to this new way of life. For example, living minimally is absolutely essential. Youโll need to balance projects on the boat with other priorities, like a work schedule. And youโll have to give up a certain amount of privacy if youโre sailing with other people. However, if your wanderlust is so strong enough, you can work around the challenges and enjoy all the benefits this lifestyle has to offer.
โ Learn How to Work Remotely on a Sailboat
This depends on various factors, including how thoroughly you want to explore your surroundings, the weather you encounter, and in which direction you sail. To put things into perspective, the world record for sailing around the world is just under 41 days. Francis Joyon and his 6-member crew have held this record since 2017, when they completed their sail on a Trimaran IDEC 3.
But unless youโre trying to beat the world record, your trip will likely be significantly longer. If youโre interested in sailing nonstop around the world, it will most likely take you around 100 days, depending on the size of your crew. However, if you plan to stop and explore your place along the way, replenish your provisions, and relax a bit, youโll probably want to plan for around 3 to 10 years of sailing.
Yes, you can legally sail around the world. However, some jurisdictions require legal documentation, including proof of boat ownership and a visa, when entering another countryโs port. Youโll also want to make sure youโre in the appropriate type of boat. Sailing through the Caribbean is very different than sailing through the Indian Ocean.
This will depend on various factors, including the route you plan on taking, the number of people on your boat, and the supplies you take with you. In general, the best sailboat size is between 35 and 45 feet. Anything smaller may not be able to handle the provisions youโll need, and it would probably be quite uncomfortable. Anything bigger may be cumbersome. more expensive and more difficult to sail.
The first qualification is obvious: youโll need to know how to operate your sailboat. You donโt necessarily need a license unless you plan on chartering a vessel. Charter companies want to know that youโre a competent sailor before they hand over their expensive boat. Nevertheless, if youโre like most people sailing around the world, youโre probably using your own boat.
Moreover, some countries, such as the United States and Australia, require resident powerboat owners to have a license in a particular state. However, this requirement doesnโt usually apply to sailboats.
Since youโll likely visit many different ports all over the world, you may want to consider getting an internationally recognized license. This helps in case you are asked for proof of competence. The most widely accepted licenses are the International Certificate of Competency and the International Sailing License and Credentials.
What skills and experience are needed before you set sail on your own?
If youโre a newbie to sailing (or even an experienced sailor who wants to refine your skills), one of the best ways to test the waters is by lending a hand on another sailboat. There are plenty of people sailing around the world who would love to take on an extra crew member. By volunteering your time, you can gain a depth of knowledge and experience that is simply unmatched.
After spending some time crewing on someone else’s boat, youโve likely gained some insight into the type of boat that would be best for you. The next step is to buy a boat of your own. Depending on your budget, it may take some time to save up for your ideal boat. However, you could always find other sailboat-related work to help increase your savings and your experience while you wait.
Make sure that you have the best gear on board for this trip. Planning provisions, power usage, water, and equipment to make your life easier underway will go a long way in making your trip a successful one. Especially when crossing large stretches of ocean, you want to make sure you’re 100% self-sufficient. While you’ll face major challenges when living on a sailboat, you can overcome them with the right gear.
After you outfit your boat, itโs time for the exciting part: planning your route! Depending on where you start your journey, you can take several routes.
First, youโll need to decide which direction you want to go, and you might be surprised to know that this decision matters quite a bit. If you set out westward, youโll have to plan more time into your sailing schedule simply because itโs more challenging due to the weather patterns and currents you’ll encounter.
Youโll also have to decide whether to sail around the capes or take the trade wind route, which passes through the Panama and Suez Canals. Most people opt for the trade wind route to experience the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas.
SV Delos came to fruition from a desire for vast adventure. Back in 2008, Brian Trautman had dreams of sailing across the ocean. So he sold his house, bought a 53-foot Amel Super Maramu, and set out to sail around the world. Over 15 years later, Brian, his wife Karin, and their daughter Sierra still love their life at sea as they continue their journey around the world.
In July 2020, Brian installed a set of 8 – 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battle Born Batteries. For Brian and the crew of SV Delos, their Battle Born Batteries upgrade has been a complete game-changer! No matter where in the world they’re sailing, Brian is confident that he and his family will have the power they need for their essential electrical systems.
Even with minimal prior sailing experience, Brian worked his way up to being an expert sailor through years of experience and trial and error. As Brian and the SV Delos crew leisurely sail around the world, they are a constant source of inspiration for the sailing community.
Jade and Brett Evans share a love of sailing, water, art, and travel. In 2020, they discovered the ship of their dreams at an auction in New England, and Expedition Evans began. They spent a year and a half renovating the shipwrecked 50 ft 2008 Beneteau 49 sailboat. They now had the perfect customized sailboat to cross the ocean in!
One of the biggest upgrades Jade and Brett made to their sailboat was upgrading their electrical system with Battle Born Batteries. They used to run their 7.6W diesel generator once or twice a day just to keep their fridge cold. Now, they run their water heater, water maker, fans, heaters, all the lights, a fridge, and two freezers, and they only run their generator once or twice a week. Upgrading to Battle Born lithium batteries has been life-changing, to say the least!
After officially setting sail in 2021, Brett and Jade set off to sail around the world and never looked back. Now, the Evans and their adorable pups love their life at sea and plan to continue sailing as long as they can!
After exploring various career paths, Shane Granger eventually transitioned to a life at sea. In 2001, he and his partner Meggi seized the opportunity to acquire the illustrious Norwegian sea vessel Vega, a historic 1892 sailboat.
Today, Shane and Meggi continue actively sailing the Vega, covering over 6,000 nautical miles annually. Beyond their seafaring adventures, they wholeheartedly engage in humanitarian missions. Delivering vital resources to underserved communities and making a positive impact on those who lack access to essential items.
Accumulating an impressive record of nearly half a million sea miles sailed, Shane has explored much of the world’s oceans, yet his passion for sailing has only grown. As long as his 130-year-old vessel is still sailing the high seas, Shane plans to continue his mission to help others while circumnavigating the globe.
Ty and Kim are a husband-and-wife duo who spent nearly two decades in the construction and custom fabrication industry while also successfully running a food truck. Along the way, they raised two daughters and eventually felt the call to start a new and exciting chapter in their lives. Captivated by the allure of sea travel, they decided to embark on their journey by purchasing a sailboat and embracing full-time life at sea.
Accompanied by their daughters, Sydney and Mads, Ty and Kim are reveling in the joys of sailing as a family. Their Lagoon 450 is a beautifully crafted French catamaran. To power their onboard systems efficiently, they have equipped their boat with a powerful setup. Their rig includes six Battle Born Batteries, specifically 6 – 100Ah 12V LiFePO4 Battle Born Batteries, ensuring a reliable and long-lasting power source.
While the Sailing Dauntless crew loved their Lagoon 450, they recently decided it was time for an upgrade. They’ve been hard at work rehabbing a 2021 Leopard 50 sailing catamaran to be their new home on the water. With plans to make this boat even better than the last with more power and high-tech systems, the Dauntless family can’t wait to start sailing around the world on it.
The cost of sailing around the world will vary depending on the type of boat you have, the size of your family, the route you take, and any regular bills you have. Generally, sailing around the world can cost anywhere from $700 to $3,000 or more per month.
For instance, a couple living very minimally on a smaller sailboat could easily spend under $1,000 monthly. However, a family of four in a larger vessel may end up spending up to $3,000 monthly.
Sailing around the world can be extremely safe as long as you have the appropriate navigation skills, the right boat, and a good understanding of which areas you should avoid. For example, if you opt for the trade wind route, you might want to avoid the Indian Ocean because of its high susceptibility to monsoons, tsunamis, and cyclones. In this case, you could choose to go around Cape of Good Hope (north of Madagascar) instead.
Anything worth doing isnโt easy, and if you want a life filled with adventure and amazing experiences, you have to get out of your comfort zone. So, yes, sailing around the world will come with its fair share of challenges.
However, if you prepare accordingly, refine your skills, and spend time learning from other sailors, youโll have the knowledge and experience to take on any obstacles that come your way. You may have the experience of a lifetime while youโre at it!
Is it your dream to sail around the world? Let us know in the comments below!
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4 thoughts on “What Does It Take to Sail Around the World?”
I love the sea .and Im 51 and I dream of living out the rest of my days in the sea
I would do the same and I understand exactly what you mean but feel at my age of 63 it will always be just a dream for me
I’ve been on my swedesh folkboat for 45 years and still going strong at 75
I am 79 years old and in great shape. I plan to start this fall to sail around the world in my Passport 40. I intend to sail solo. I have three years planned for my trip and one of the stops is intended to be Vietnam. I visited there once before but the native people were not very friendly.
Some people tell me that I’m crazy to do this trip. Some say, “what if you die out there”. I say, “what happens if I die in here?”. The best quote I’ve ever heard on the subject is “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”. My sentiments exactly.