How Long Does It Take to Sail Around the World?

Sailing around the world can be an alluring experience for various reasons, such as personal growth by deeply understanding yourself, a sense of community when traveling with others, bliss under the stars, peace, learning, development, and the list continues. At the same time, sailing can be challenging. The top challenges include lousy weather conditions, navigation, food and water supplies, fatigued boats, and homesickness.

Are you getting excited about spending time in the sea? Wondering how long does it take to sail around the world? Want to develop the required skills? In this article, you will learn everything about sailing globally, including the required cost, desired equipment, and much more. Let's get into further specifics.

How long does it take to sail around the world?

On average, you may need anywhere between 3 and 5 years to sail worldwide. However, it can be done faster or in more time, depending on various factors, including the activities you want to perform, short or long breaks, and the boat's pace/speed. Regarding the fastest global tour in the sea, Francis Joyon set the world record in January 2017 by completing his journey in 41 days.

Simply put, there is no standard time to complete your sailing trip. It can also take 10 years or even more. Professional sailors usually complete the youth in less than a year. In contrast, most leisure sailors take more time to do this job. Let's look at different sailing and planning styles to estimate the duration more precisely.

• Non-stop sailing: This style does not allow you to do anything other than travel. It takes around 100 days to complete your sailing trip by traveling non-stop.
• Express sailing: It is a relatively fast-paced sailing trip for most areas, but it includes regular, short breaks. It takes 1 to 2 years to complete your journey with this travel model.
• Recreational sailing: It is a comfortable and smooth journey that includes long breaks for rest and recreational activities. It can take anywhere between 3 and 10 years to complete your trip.

Now that you know how long would it take to sail around the world. It is time to explore the skill set you should have for a perfect sailing trip.

What skills are needed to sail around the world?

You must be very excited about going on the sailing trip to explore new angles of the world. Remember, it can be challenging at the same time. Therefore, you need to be well-prepared before you start the journey.

Below is a set of the most common skills you should develop before you leave. Let's look at each skill and understand how they lend you a helping hand when traveling in the sea.

1. Foundational sailing and navigation

Foundational sailing skills cover all the basic things you need to know about the trip, such as boat parts, sailing terms, tides, sails, communication, rules of the road, wind, and more. At the same time, navigation is equally important to ensure you are on the right track.

2. Weather reading and oceanographic knowledge

Understanding weather conditions during your sailing trip is one of the most essential skills. Before you sail, don't forget to learn about the cloud types and how to observe clouds, sea state, and barometric pressure.

3. Boat maintenance and mechanical skills

You should develop basic boat maintenance skills to help it sail safely and smoothly. It covers maintaining the boat's engine, electrical system, batteries, and propeller. Moreover, you must develop a skill or how to tie knots practically.

4. Mental resilience and problem-solving

Ensure you develop strong problem-solving and mental resilience skills before you leave for the sailing trip. Developing this skill will help you calmly deal with various challenges (such as unexpected obstacles, rain, and strong winds) you might experience during the trip.

What equipment do you need for sailing around the world?

Now you know what skills you should develop before leaving for the journey. This section provides a list of the important equipment you must have.

1. Essential navigation and communication tools

Different navigation tools you should carry when traveling include GPS, radar, sextant, magnetic compass, and dividers. A GPS shows you the ship's location. A radar assists captains in maneuvering the ship when the visibility is low or during bad weather conditions.

2. Emergency communication devices

These devices help you connect with the rescue services during unusual circumstances. Important emergency communication devices include marine radio, INMARSAT, personal locator beacons, satellite phones, satellite Wi-Fi hotspots, and amateur radio.

3. Safety and survival gear

Safety kits include various devices to ensure a safe and smooth trip. They include water, non-perishable food, extra batteries, a flashlight, a first aid kit, warm blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene supplies, hearing aids, and eyeglasses.

4. Provisioning for food and water

When leaving for a sailing trip, remember to take at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Don't forget to take the water for cooking separately. You can use a UV sterilizer or add chlorine tablets to treat the water. In addition, keep nutritious and light meals for easy digestion.

5. Power generation and battery management

Ensure the charging capacity is 10-25% of the total battery capacity. If the capacity is high, it may overcharge the battery and waste power. On the other hand, low capacity will make batteries unable to charge fully.

You can use different methods to recharge batteries, such as shore power, solar panels, engine, or hydro generator. Remember to use reliable battery chargers.

How do you begin sailing around the world?

If you are a newbie or want to refine your skills again, the best way to test the water is to become a crew member of another sailboat. You can gain in-depth experience and unmatched knowledge just by volunteering your time.

To start your sailing trip around the globe, follow the steps listed below.

1. Get the desired qualification: It is the most basic but compulsory requirement. You must have a boat license before you leave. Sometimes, you may need an international license.
2. Prepare the boat: Don't forget to ensure that the boat has all the equipment, food supplies, water, the right batteries, and a power generation source. Make sure your boat is registered.
3. Carry the required documents: Keep your passport and personal ID with you. Other important documents you should carry include boat insurance, registration, engine certification, VHF radio license, and boat license.
4. Gain experience: Take on a professional crew to get unmatched expertise. You can also learn about the repair of the boat and its electrical system.
5. Get ready to face challenges: Learn to navigate properly. Similarly, knowing the cloud types, indications of storms, and deep waters is also something you must know.
6. Avoid typhoon season: To avoid experiencing typhoons and hurricane season, try to leave some countries during specific months.

How many notable people have sailed around the world?

Till today, many notable people have sailed around the globe. Three of the most popular ones are listed below.

1. Joshua Slocum

He was a US-based adventurer and seaman. Joshua became the first person in the world to circumnavigate the world single-handedly. Ha talked about his journey in “Sailing Alone Around the World.”

2. Ellen MacArthur

She is a British record-setting solo sailor. Ellen became the fastest woman to sail around the globe solo in her first attempt, completing the 27,354 nautical mile trip in almost 71 days. She first went sailing with her aunt when she was only four. Plus, she has read many sailing books to gain relevant knowledge.

3. Zac Sunderland

He is the first non-adult sailor who has sailed solo around the world. Zac made this record back in 2009. He completed the journey in 13 months and 2 days.

How much does it cost to sail around the world?

Let's explore the cost ranges of various seaworthy sailboats.

• New small sailboats: The buying price of these sailboats ranges between $10,000 and $50,000.
• Used small sailboats: They cost you between $5,000 and $20,000.
• New cruising sailboats: Popular brands sell smaller models of these sailboats for $200,000-$500,000. In contrast, the cost of buying catamarans and luxury cruisers is over $500,000.

Once you have the right seaworthy boat, you can sail around the world at the monthly cost of $700-$3,000. If you and your wife have a small sailboat and live minimally, you can easily manage within $1,000 a month.

Legal and logistical requirements for sailing around the world

Potential logistical and legal requirements for sailing around the world are listed below.

1. Documentation: It includes boat registration, boat insurance, personal ID, passport, VHF radio license, and engineer certification.
2. Visas: You may need it when entering into different countries.
3. Inventory: You may provide a list of all items on your sailboat.
4. Permits: You should have a boat permit.
5. Crew list: Providing this list can be necessary at times.
6. ICC: It is an internal certificate of competence. It may be required to sail in the Mediterranean and Europe.
7. Route planning: You must have a general route plan. Remember to follow popular routes if you are sailing for the first time.
8. Safety: Rally organizers and experienced crews can help you maintain safety.

Conclusion

Are you searching for how long to sail around the world? It can take from a few months to a couple of years. The fastest sailing trip around the world was completed in just 41 days. However, it can take as long as 10+ years.

Before you start the trip, ensure you have the right skills, complete inventory, a seaworthy sailboat, and strong safety measures. Plus, you should have the budget to complete the whole journey successfully.

Frequently asked questions

Is it legal to sail around the world?

Yes, it is absolutely legal to sail around the world. You may need legal documents like a visa and proof of boat ownership in some areas.

Can beginners sail around the world?

Yes. If you are a beginner, you can sail around the globe. However, you need some planning and preparation, as discussed above.

How safe is sailing around the world?

If you select the right boat, have the right skill set, and take the right precautions, sailing around the world can be much safer.