Sailing around the world
Man has always been fascinated and at the same time intimidated by the power and magnificence of the sea; despite this, however, there have always been those who have tried to overcome these primordial fears and to concentrate on positive aspects that such an adventure can offer on a personal level.
Circumnavigating the world has always been one of the most fascinating adventures to undertake, even more so if you choose to do it by crossing the sea.
Those who sail nowadays, believe they know everything, and can`t imagine what, a few hundred years ago, the sailors were able to achieve with a boat and some sails.
On August 10th, 1519, the Portuguese sailor Ferdinand Magellan had left Seville for South America, trying to reach India by a new route, sailing around the southern end of America, to search for a westward route to the Maluku Islands (the “Spice Islands”). However, this expedition, that after his death was commanded by the Spanish navigator Juan Sebastián Elcano, would end on September 6, 1522, as the first circumnavigation of the globe, demonstrating that the earth was round, since always navigating in the same direction, had arrived at the starting point.
With modern technology, this type of achievement is certainly less intimidating than in the 1400s, but the conditions to which sailors are subjected in the crossings should not be underestimated, and the risks are similar to the ones 600 years ago.
There are a lot of possibilities to take a trip around the world by boat today, and all are based on the new technologies available in the creation of the boats, but above all, in the ambition and potential madness of those who engage in these challenges. If you want to learn more about this world, or if you are looking for ideas on how and whether to take such a feat, this is the article for you.
It is not about buying the best boat, because it simply doesn`t exist, but neither should you go with something unfitting that can`t meet our expectations. Unless you are trying to enter the “Guinness World Records” or “Ripley’s Believe It or Not!” , you won`t even consider crossing the Atlantic in a small life raft or in a 3-meter long boat. If you don`t want to match or surpass Alain Bombard, why have a bad time on board?
A standard sailboat is perfectly adequate if it`s prepared and equipped properly. We already know that Hallberg-Rassy, Oyster or Najad are better, but so is their price. It is multiplied by 4 compared to the important brands such as the Benéteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria among others. Let`s be clear, the budget is always an issue.
The Sun Oddysey, Oceanis, and similar type of boats are perfectly adequate for sailing around the world, as long as you prepare them for that. Learn from the experience of others and notice the boats that other sailors use. Follow the boats participating in rallies and regattas.
The decision is between an oceanic catamaran, or a monohull, between choosing a boat with a bulb keel or one with a lifting keel, aluminum or fiber. Those are matters that need to be defined and are related to the type of sailing that we hope to carry out.
There is no perfect boat; boats are compromises to best suit your needs. Many people will suggest you a few boats meeting the listed criteria. Charter 2-5 boats, before deciding on the ONE you want. Take it from here!
