question for sailors inside

[janjkey]

hello I want to sail around the world ( no joke) any one have any ideas as to how big of a boat i need ect ect <br /><br />thank you <br /><br />D

 

[William T. Allen]

Re: question for sailors inside

I have a new 40 foot Catalina. I would say you would need at least a 40 foot boat. I know boats smaller than 40 feet have gone transatlantic but I'm gald I was not on them. I do not plan to go around the world or across an ocean. I wish you the best. Be sure you go first with someone else.

 

[Raghauler]

Re: question for sailors inside

I don't have the desire to go around the world, but I'll offer what little I know about it anyway. First, be sure to talk to as many folks as you can who have done this. There is no replacement for experience. I would suggest that you circumnavigate with someone (or as many someones as you can find) who has.<br /><br />As far as boat size is concerned, ocean crossings have been accomplished in 16' West Wight Potters, but that doesn't mean you should try it. More importantly, choose a vessel capable of what mother nature can throw at you in the most dangerous seas in the world. There are significant differences between off shore cruisers and bluewater ocean passagemakers. Do lot's of research. The more you plan for up front, the better you will be at responding the impossible situations you will need to endure. Good luck.

 

[Ritz]

Re: question for sailors inside

First are you going to single hand this or do you have a crew to think about??? If you have a crew how well do you know them??? Boats get small fast... Have a plan and get safety/back up equipmen for everything you can think of... For example if your rudder breaks have a plan on how to use a floor panel lashed to whats remaining to limp into the nearest port... A GPS, weather fax and at least two radios is a must.... 40' is the smallest thing I would try this on. Ive done some blue water racing on a 36 footer-longest race lasted 4 days with 6 crew (Okinawa to Korea), it was a blast but very cramped. As much safety equipment as you can resonably fit, try to think of every worst case senario. I did that on my K21 and was glad I had it along when I lost my boat off the Ryiko Islands (I think thats how you spell it) thats another story. Spend some time getting to know your boat before you set off. Know what she'll do, what her limitations are etc... I hope this helps a little