How to Sail Around the World

1. Embrace the liberating simplicity of ocean voyaging

At a stroke, you erase 90 percent of the trivia of modern life.

The ultimate freedom. Voyaging under sail offers an unparalleled escape from the complexities of modern existence, returning the sailor to first principles of self-reliance and accountability. The true magic of the journey lies in its slow, deliberate pace, which fosters a deep connection with the natural world.

Cultivating true seamanship. Becoming a competent ocean cruiser requires a dedicated apprenticeship, practical maintenance skills, and a willingness to embrace physical challenges.

• Attending specialized sailing schools to master basic maneuvers
• Practicing sail stitching, rigging repairs, and painting
• Learning the precise vocabulary of the sea for clear communication
• Developing patience to accept calms and storms alike

The minimalist philosophy. Too much money and excessive equipment often work against a sailor by introducing unnecessary complications. Purity in sailing is found by relying on the wind rather than the engine, allowing the vessel to glide quietly across a peaceful sea.

2. Prioritize structural integrity and external ballast in hull selection

This way the lead takes any knocks instead of the more delicate fiberglass, which is troublesome to repair.

Evaluating hull materials. While wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass all have proven track records, fiberglass remains the most practical choice for most modern cruisers due to its durability and ease of repair. However, regardless of the material, a cruising yacht must possess immense structural strength to withstand the violent forces of the ocean.

The external ballast advantage. Bolting a solid lead keel to the outside of the hull is vastly superior to encapsulating ballast inside a fiberglass keel molding.

• External lead absorbs the shock of accidental groundings
• Prevents structural damage to the delicate fiberglass laminate
• Eliminates the risk of water entering internal voids and flooding the bilge
• Provides convenient lifting points for hauling the vessel with a crane

Preventing osmotic blistering. Modern fiberglass hulls should be constructed with vinylester or epoxy resins to prevent water penetration and subsequent osmotic blistering. If buying a used boat with blister damage, a professional peel and barrier coat application is a highly effective, long-term remedy.

3. Choose used vessels to maximize value and sail sooner

The more complex a vessel is and the more maintenance she requires, the less an owner will enjoy her voyages because too much of his time will be locked into upkeep and repairs.

The used boat advantage. Purchasing a high-quality secondhand yacht is the most cost-effective way to realize a cruising dream, often costing half as much as a new vessel. Secondhand boats frequently come equipped with expensive cruising inventories—such as winches, sails, and electronics—at no additional cost.

Sizing the vessel. A boat in the 35-to-45-foot range offers the ideal balance between living space, carrying capacity, and ease of handling for a shorthanded crew.

• Lower maintenance, marina, and insurance costs compared to larger yachts
• Manageable sail areas and winch loads for a couple or single-hander
• Adequate displacement to carry heavy cruising gear without sinking the waterline
• Snug, secure sea berths that keep sleepers safe in rough weather

Rigorous prepurchase surveys. Any used vessel destined for the ocean must undergo a thorough inspection by a qualified marine surveyor. Focus on critical areas such as the hull-to-deck joint, the rudderstock, the standing rigging, and the engine's mechanical health before finalizing the purchase.

4. Opt for a double-headsail cutter rig with a flexible sail inventory

In terms of physical effort and simplicity, this sail-handling scheme works well, and when the weather turns around and the wind eases, it’s easy to put up more sail.

The cutter advantage. Breaking up the headsail area into a double-headsail configuration (jib and staysail) provides a highly versatile and easily managed sail plan for shorthanded crews. This setup allows the sailor to adjust to changing wind strengths without physically changing heavy sails on a wet foredeck.

Managing the inventory. A practical cruising inventory should focus on durability, ease of handling, and redundancy rather than high-tech racing materials.

• A sturdy, full-battened mainsail with three slab reefs
• A moderate-sized roller-furling jib on the headstay
• A hanked-on staysail on the inner forestay for heavy weather
• A dedicated storm trysail kept on a separate mast track
• An asymmetrical spinnaker or gennaker in a furling sock for light airs

Simplifying running rigging. All-line halyards and standard barrel winches are safer and more reliable than dangerous wire winches. Running backstays made of high-strength polyester line provide excellent mast support in rough seas while minimizing sail chafe.

5. Master the art of heavy weather management and heaving to

The backed headsail and opposing rudder tend to balance one another.

The art of stopping. Heaving to is the most fundamental and effective heavy weather tactic, allowing a yacht to virtually park itself in the open ocean. By backing the headsail and lashing the helm to leeward, the vessel's forward motion is minimized, creating a calm slick of water to windward that breaks oncoming waves.

Executing the maneuver. Heaving to stabilizes the vessel, reduces crew fatigue, and provides a safe environment for cooking, navigating, or resting.

• Backing the staysail or small jib to push the bow to leeward
• Taking several reefs in the mainsail or hoisting the storm trysail
• Lashing the tiller or wheel to windward to counter the backed sail
• Adjusting the sails to maintain a slow, forward-reaching speed of half a knot

Lying ahull with caution. While lying ahull—allowing the boat to drift broadside to the wind under bare poles—is an easy option, it is highly dangerous in large, breaking seas. Without the stabilizing force of sails, the yacht is vulnerable to violent rolling and potential capsizing if struck by a rogue wave.

6. Deploy a series drogue from the stern to prevent capsizing

The series drogue is designed to align the boat into the wave, decelerate the vessel, and hold it while the breaking crest crashes onward.

The ultimate storm defense. Extensive research by the U.S. Coast Guard and aeronautical engineer Donald Jordan proved that a series drogue deployed from the stern is the most effective defense against capsizing in breaking waves. Unlike a single-element drogue or a bow-deployed parachute, the series drogue keeps the stern end-on to the waves, preventing the vessel from broaching or pitchpoling.

How the series drogue works. The device consists of a long double-braided nylon line fitted with over a hundred small, sailcloth cones and weighted at the end.

• Multiple small cones provide a smooth, continuous drag that builds gradually
• A heavy weight at the end keeps the line submerged, preventing it from skipping
• A strong V-bridle attached to the transom corners distributes the massive loads
• The system automatically aligns the yacht stern-to the oncoming seas

Ensuring structural strength. Because a breaking wave strike can impose loads equal to half the vessel's displacement, the transom attachment points must be exceptionally strong. Heavy, through-bolted chainplates or tangs are required to secure the bridle legs and prevent them from tearing out of the hull.

7. Equip the vessel with heavy, redundant ground tackle

There is no substitute for a heavy, properly dug in anchor.

The anchor is your life insurance. A cruising yacht must carry a variety of heavy, high-quality anchors and a generous supply of chain to ensure security in diverse bottom conditions. Relying on lightweight anchors and thin nylon lines is a recipe for disaster when a storm blows up in a crowded or rocky anchorage.

The ideal ground tackle inventory. A well-equipped 35-foot cruising yacht should carry multiple anchors suited for different seabeds.

• A primary 45-pound CQR or plow anchor for general use
• At least 150 feet of high-tensile galvanized chain for the primary anchor
• A 33-pound Danforth anchor as a kedge or secondary anchor
• A heavy, three-piece Paul Luke fisherman anchor for rock, weed, or grass
• A dedicated stern anchor ready for immediate deployment

The importance of scope. Maintaining a scope of at least five times the depth of the water is essential for ensuring that the pull on the anchor remains horizontal, allowing the flukes to dig deeper. In coral waters, using all chain is mandatory to prevent sharp coral heads from chafing through a nylon rode.

8. Eliminate leaks and minimize mechanical complexity to ensure self-sufficiency

Our single biggest problem with Whisper was hull-to-deck leaks.

The leak-proof deck. A common and highly frustrating problem on fiberglass yachts is water leaking through the hull-to-deck joint, which can ruin bedding, electronics, and charts. Sealing this joint on the outside with multiple layers of fiberglass cloth and resin is a permanent solution that eliminates leaks and strengthens the hull.

Simplifying onboard systems. Replacing complex, power-hungry equipment with manual alternatives increases reliability and peace of mind.

• Using a robust, manual hand-cranked windlass instead of an electric model
• Relying on a wind-vane steering gear rather than a complex autopilot
• Installing simple, manual foot pumps for fresh and salt water in the galley
• Managing without mechanical refrigeration by using nonperishable foods
• Carrying a comprehensive set of high-quality hand tools and spare parts

The reliable diesel auxiliary. A small, freshwater-cooled diesel engine of moderate horsepower is a valuable tool for docking, anchoring, and generating electricity. However, the engine must be easily accessible from all sides to facilitate routine maintenance, such as changing oil, filters, and water pump impellers.

9. Plan voyages around seasonal weather windows and paper charts

The long way around is often shorter if the detour takes you away from strong headwinds and adverse currents.

Working with the elements. Successful ocean voyaging requires careful planning to avoid hurricane seasons, typhoons, and high-latitude winter gales. By studying pilot charts, sailing directions, and historical weather patterns, a navigator can plan a route that maximizes fair winds and favorable currents.

The necessity of paper charts. While GPS and electronic chart plotters are wonderful tools, they must never replace a complete inventory of paper charts.

• Paper charts are immune to electrical failures, lightning strikes, and water damage
• They provide a large-scale perspective that is essential for safe route planning
• They allow the navigator to easily plot positions and visualize hazards
• They do not suffer from software glitches or screen visibility issues

A flexible schedule. A cruising sailor must learn to throw the calendar away and accept the weather as it comes. Forcing a vessel to meet a rigid schedule with airline flights and crew changes often leads to poor decisions, unnecessary risks, and mechanical breakdowns.

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