You want to experience the great adventure, treat yourself to some time off and discover the most beautiful parts of our planet? With a circumnavigation you can make your dream come true. Sailing around the world has fascinated us for many thousands of years. As early as 1519, Ferdinand Magellan, probably the most famous seafarer, set out on his circumnavigation with five ships. The Portuguese thus went down in history as the first circumnavigator. There is no doubt that a circumnavigation at that time was far more dangerous than it is today. Nevertheless, it is elementarily important for safety to plan and prepare such an undertaking in advance, down to the smallest detail. The first question that arises in this context is: Which yacht or sailboat is suitable for a circumnavigation?
Follow in the footsteps of adventurers like Magellan. We at Merk & Merk provide you below with an overview of what you need to think about when sailing around the world and take a closer look at the question of which sailing yacht is suitable for a circumnavigation.
What is a circumnavigation?
Despite the first erroneous assumption of our ancestors, our planet is a sphere. Each continent is surrounded by water, which in combination makes it possible to sail around the world. During a circumnavigation, you cover around 2,500 sailing miles. If you calculate that a sailing yacht can cover 100 miles (approx. 161 km) per day for the circumnavigation, which is quite sporting, you will be underway for just under 250 days or eight months. However, bear in mind that you spend more time anchored in marinas and harbours, exploring countries and enjoying your time off. In fact, you only spend about 25% of your time at sea. Due to the high loads on the ship during a circumnavigation, maintenance and repair work and the associated time required must also be taken into account. Therefore, plan rather with two to three years.
A circumnavigation is called blue water sailing. This type of sailing alternates life on the high seas with anchoring in bays or lying in marinas or harbours. One of the best-known blue water routes, which is predestined for sailing around the world, is the trade wind route. It is nicknamed the barefoot route because you always sail close to the equator and benefit from the pleasant summer temperatures. The trade wind route runs from east to west. From Europe, the circumnavigation takes you via the Canary Islands to the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal and Galapagos, through the South Seas to Australia and New Zealand, to Indonesia and back home through the Suez Canal.
Which sailboat is suitable for a circumnavigation?
A circumnavigation or blue water sailing is best achieved with a blue water or long-distance yacht. They are designed for safety and comfort for long periods at sea, are the right size for a “home” in the water and have the necessary equipment. Leisure yachts, on the other hand, are not suitable for sailing around the world. With their equipment, they are ideal for short holiday trips and weekend excursions, but are winterised at the latest with the first cool temperatures. On the other hand, there is no fixed season for blue-water yachts with their high-performance characteristics. They can be sailed at any time of year and show their qualities on long passages. When anchoring, the impressive equipment with anchor gear and deck equipment comes into its own.
Today’s market for blue-water or long-distance yachts for sailing around the world comprises a large number of models. There is no general answer as to which sailing yacht is the best for your circumnavigation. There are circumnavigators who swear by modern technology, while others keep it simple, rely on a simple boat engine of one of the popular brands and trust only in logs, sounding and GPS. Likewise, there is certainly endless discussion about the right construction material for the sailing yacht for a circumnavigation. For important areas such as the keel, mast base and rudder, wood, steel, aluminium or plastic come into question.
Size also plays a decisive role in sailing around the world. It also determines handling and operating costs. If you are planning on a smaller budget, you should take a closer look at used sailing yachts for circumnavigation. Basically, there are no price limits. The only thing that matters here is your personal requirements.
Due to the numerous criteria, we recommend that you seek professional advice in advance. Feel free to contact the experts at Merk & Merk with confidence.
What else is important when sailing around the world?
In addition to choosing a suitable sailing yacht for long passages, the equipment on board is of course also crucial. Think here of the power supply, water pump, cooking facilities and a refrigerator, to name just a few examples. Despite the quality of a bluewater yacht for bluewater sailing, it too will reach its load limit over time when sailing around the world. You cannot foresee many situations such as grounding or strong environmental influences. Therefore, make sure that you carry important spare parts with you on your circumnavigation. You will not always find crews in every port that have the right equipment ready. In addition, comfort is more important than performance when sailing around the world. Why is that? Because you spend more time anchoring and in harbours on a circumnavigation than on the high seas. Here you should also opt for a cosy deckhouse.
Do you have any questions about sailing around the world and finding the right yacht? We look forward to your enquiry at any time.