Exploring the world by boat is an activity that even past governments sponsored. However, nowadays, anyone can do it, even young people. Knowing the costs, the risks and how to plan the trip will make the difference between a successful tour and one destined to fail. The following guide will help you understand how to go on a tour around the world on a sailing boat.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Take the Boat
Step 1. Work as a volunteer on a crew
If you haven't won a boat in a competition, haven't inherited one from a wealthy uncle, or don't want to embark on an impulsive (and costly) buy from an owner, the best way to go around the world by boat is to join to a crew. Contact or go to the nearest port to see if any boat owners are looking for a crew. Usually the job you offer is enough to pay you for the crossing.
Boat shares are also available. In this case, the whole crew will divide the costs of the trip, usually between € 15 and € 65 per day per person. Be wary of those who offer their boat to share at very high figures (more than € 800 - € 900 per week); it is clear that the owner is trying to take advantage of it to make a profit
Step 2. Ask a friend about the boat
Often those who spend a lot of time at sea just want a little company. If you're lucky, you may find someone who trusts you and can lend you their vehicle for free just because they like you. It won't be a friendship that will last forever, but if this person wants some company for a few months, why not help them?
However, be cautious and do not jump into the boat of the first individual who offers you "a ride". When you are in the middle of the ocean with someone, you are literally "in the middle of the ocean alone with him". You're stuck in a place with no escape, so make sure you can tolerate his company well before accepting
Step 3. Become a teacher or babysitter
This is also a way to earn a lift around the world. There are entire families who live by traveling by boat and who need someone to help them raise their children by keeping them "up to date" with education by the time they return to "normal" school. It could be a private or corporate yacht, but children always need to learn and be cared for while adults steer the boat.
Step 4. Join a research boat
Organizations like Greenpeace and Dolphin Trust are always at sea to conduct studies. They not only need scientists and researchers, but also hubs, administrative employees, cleaning staff, and so on. It is an ocean business and you can be part of it.
These associations are mostly interested in ecology. If there is a specific cause that interests you, you can do some research online. You must be well aware that most of the time these are volunteer positions, you will only be rewarded with experience
Step 5. Try to make do with things like cooking
Many crews need people who can cook, clean, be company, interpret, prepare drinks, teach and much more. If you have these skills, why not try to set sail? You could take any type of trip, from a long cruise to accompanying a very rich family with their luxury yacht. You just have to find a way to fit in.
Nowadays, thanks to technology, it is not difficult to get some work done on a cruise ship. Finding a position on a small boat, on the other hand, is more complicated. Go to the harbor and pay attention to the chatter among the boatmen. Most of the time it's a matter of timing, the right knowledge and public relations
Step 6. Buy your boat, learn to steer it and set sail
If you have around € 70,000 to spend, you can buy your vehicle and set sail, as long as you are able to manage it. If you are an inexperienced sailor, talk to the other people in the port and try to understand who has made long sea voyages. Ask them for advice on the type of boat that is best suited for your purposes and how you can acquire the necessary skills.
Generally you will need a 10-14m boat. It has to be under sail, because you won't be able to have all the fuel you need to go around the world (it would cost you a disproportionate amount). Establish these parameters, you need to find a boat that meets your needs. On the Cruisingworld.com website (in English) you will find a lot of information and advice
Part 2 of 4: Determine the Logistics of the Trip
Step 1. Plan your route and destinations
There are at least a million factors to consider when deciding your route. It has to be safe, for beginners; it must be, as far as possible, "kissed" by a favorable weather, passable and must take you where you want to go! All this in addition of course to the analysis of winds, ocean currents and tropical systems. There are entire books on this subject, but we can limit ourselves to a few indications:
- The route between Panama and the Torres Strait is considered one of the richest in attractions for sailors and there are many variations within this main route that you can consider.
- Many sailors want to see Tahiti. Over the years, the capital of this island, Papeete, has transformed from a quiet seaside retreat to a busy and busy city. That said, the old part of Tahiti survives, should you wish to visit it.
- If you plan to stop in Bora Bora, you can take the north route through Cooks, Tonga and Samoa or the south route to Cooks, Tonga and Niue.
- Take your time to research online and read books. Jimmy Cornell is a point of reference in this regard; you can read some of his books that will help you make decisions and develop a plan that leaves no doubt about its feasibility and safety.
Step 2. Determine the timing
Even then, explaining when to leave would require at least six wikiHow articles. You have to take into account the wind, the weather, the pirates, your schedule and so on.
- Most of the boats choose to pass through the Panama Canal before the start of the hurricane season in the Caribbean (June to November), arriving between February and March. In this same period, boats that leave Mexico and Central America should leave for the Pacific Ocean.
- If you come from the West Coast of North America, know that most sailors head south developing the route to Tahiti, Easter Island and the Pitcairn Islands. Winds are favorable in this direction, while traveling along the East Coast could be problematic.
- If you set sail from Australia, you have two options to cross the Indian Ocean: the northern route to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal or the southern route that points to South Africa and Cape Horn. The second is more challenging as the sea is bigger, but in the north there are pirates.
Step 3. Research the areas you will pass through
Find out about each port / country where you plan to moor. Take into account both the economic aspect and the safety. How much does the mooring cost? What are the infrastructures and the government of that country like? In the best case, what can happen to you? And in the worst case?
- Check the health laws for each country where you intend to stop. You must have all health certifications in order before you set sail for your trip, and you must be sure you do not get sick while you are thousands of miles from home.
- Check what you can get. If you need a specific medicine or other product and can't get it until your next destination, stock up. In a certain area of the world, what are the greatest difficulties you will have to face? Will there be any?
Step 4. Be in good standing with all documents
Talk to an insurance agent to take out a policy that covers the trip, after all it is about your life. Make sure you have all the visas: whether you arrive in a country by air, land or sea, the immigration rules are always the same. If you want to visit foreign countries, you must obey their laws.
Part 3 of 4: Preparing for the Adventure
Step 1. Get vaccinated
Contact the tourism office of the relevant ASL and illustrate your trip to get all the information regarding the necessary vaccinations. Also do some research online. You will be very happy to have thought of all the vaccinations when you travel, getting sick away from a good health facility would mean the end of the adventure.
Get a medical check-up before you leave. If you have any health problems it is best to treat them before departure
Step 2. Prepare the supplies
Get non-perishable foods, tablets and filters to purify the water, this is just the beginning. Make sure that every instrument on the boat is fully functional, from the radar to the anchor to the GPS. Bring everything you need to document your trip. Take into account what you can and cannot buy on the spot.
You have to "travel light" but without exaggerating. Make a list of the things you will take with you and, more importantly, the things you can easily get hold of and what will not be decisive for your budget priorities
Step 3. Take care of everything at home
While no one is stopping you from leaving suddenly, it's still a good idea to settle all the pending issues before you go away for a couple of years. Here's what you shouldn't leave out:
- Make sure all bills are paid until you return. Arrange an automatic bank debit or ask a friend to take care of it.
- If you intend to stay in certain countries for a certain period of time, have your mail delivered to that place. Ask someone to monitor your home and inform you of important communications.
- Tell friends and family about your itinerary and schedule. If something goes wrong, someone better know where you are or where you should be.
Step 4. Have the boat undergo a full service from an owner
The Titanic has also sunk, so it is imperative to be sure the boat is in "perfect condition" and running before leaving port. Do not miss any parts during inspection and maintenance, even if it means a delay in your programming. It could mean the difference between life and death.
In some cases it may be necessary to refurbish the boat and it could cost as much as a new boat or even more. Be prepared to shell out a lot of cash if need be
Step 5. Prepare (together with the crew) to face emergencies
Anything can happen at sea, even what the wildest imagination cannot contemplate. Someone will get a contagious rash, a tribe of natives may believe that you are their savior, you will wake up to the sound of the siren of a huge ship about to ram you and so on. These are things that can happen. Even if you can't be ready for everything, try to prepare yourself the best you can.
- Bring a firearm and ammunition, if you have it. Keep it in a safe but accessible place. Prevention is better than cure.
- Make sure your boat has everything it needs to: A) moor quickly or B) abandon it quickly.
- Bring a fire extinguisher, raft, flares, and a first aid kit. Everything must be accessible.
- Write a list of emergency contacts, such as 112 in Europe and 000 in Australia.
Step 6. Prepare everything you need for extreme climates
You can believe that sailing in the southern hemisphere means turquoise waters, tropical birds and talcum powder sand. Sometimes it could also be true, but there will be times when you will go so far south (or so far north) where you will feel freezing if you don't have the right clothing. Do all the necessary research regarding the climate you will encounter along the journey, also bear in mind that the route may be subject to variations. For your own safety you must be ready.
You need protective clothing, a wool sweater, tights, gloves, hat and socks if you travel far south or north. Two of your priorities are to stay warm and dry
Part 4 of 4: Preparing to Sail
Step 1. Establish standard procedures for everything
If a hurricane arrives, what should you do? If you meet pirates, what do you do? If the waves break aft, how do you react? If a man falls into the sea, how do you intervene? For every conceivable situation you need to have a protocol ready that everyone on board must know. So when you shout, "Fire!" everyone needs to know exactly what to do.
Organize hands-on drills, especially if you know that you are approaching an area where there is a high chance of encountering winds / storms / pirates. The more you and the crew are ready, the better the experience will be
Step 2. Make final preparations before embarking on your adventure and then set sail
Months or even years of hard work are about to pay off. You have invested time and money in a project that is about to happen. Check the entire organizational aspect for the last time, is there something you may have forgotten?
Throw a party, say hello to friends, stock up on champagne, do whatever you want to celebrate the last few moments on dry land. Make sure there are no last minute boat mishaps, check the weather, gather all the documentation and be excited! Time to set sail
Step 3. Limit the time you will spend in dangerous areas
When you are on the high seas, you already have so many things to think about that you can't even stress yourself out. Pirates are not fairy tale characters invented to scare children. They are real people, present in some areas that you need to know to avoid them.
- Pirates roam the oceans, especially between the African and Indian coasts. They are also found in the disputed border waters between the Philippines and Malaysia (few people know). If you want to know the latest pirate sightings, visit the ICC website (in English).
- Limit the time you will spend in other dangerous areas both because of the sea conditions and because people can be a threat. We remember Cape Horn, the Strait of Malacca, the Bering Sea, the Southern Ocean, the North Atlantic, Cape Hatteras, the Bermuda Triangle and the Andaman Sea.
Step 4. Behave lawfully and fairly
Approaching the coasts of a country, you are within its territory when you are within 12 nautical miles, while you are in the jurisdiction of your native country when you are on the high seas. By entering within 12 nautical miles you must respect the rules of the sovereign state and everything will be easier if you behave as you should.
Step 5. When entering port, always clean the boat
Just as you take care of your health when you are at sea, you must also check the health of the boat. Check it at each port, any mishap must be resolved immediately. The great thing is that there will always be plenty of people willing to help you.
- If you are traveling alone or almost alone, stopping in a port is a way to relate to the world. Usually day dock workers just want to help you. On that occasion you can meet interesting people with whom to exchange stories and cheer up.
- Also check the equipment. The last thing you want is a radar that doesn't work or an emergency phone that throws a tantrum. While it's a hassle to control everything, it could save your life in the future.
Step 6. Make a plan for re-entry
After years at sea, you may think you need some land or that a "normal" life is impossible. However, be aware that spending your entire life at sea is very difficult, so it would be wise to have plans for when your adventure is over. After surfing the world, what will you want to do? The balloon ride? Why not!
Find out how much money you will need once the trip is over. You will need time to reintegrate into the world, find a job, housing and get used to the new life. You should consider being financially self-sufficient for at least six months so that the transition is less stressful
Advice
- If you carry a firearm with you, make sure it is legal to hold it in the country where you stop.
- Depending on the location, the health system has different usability and quality levels. In developed regions such as the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia, the level is usually good. But it won't be like that everywhere.
