Solo Circumnavigation Possibilities

[WhataWorld!]

Hello All!

I would like to draw upon the knowledge of this community to help answer some questions I have about a potential solo circumnavigation. First of all, I would use a trimaran, could anyone recommend a good tri builder? (not necessarily custom)

I would like to make the journey in under a year (starting from Miami). What is a better direction to head, West or East? I was thinking that to start I would cruise in the Bahamas, and then through the Panama Canal to the Galapagos, and then on from there.

Does anyone have any tips, insights, or other helpful information?

[RainDog]

That is a giant load of questions.

I will tackle one part of it. If you are doing a circumnavigation in the tropics, the best way to go is west. This is the normal way to circumnavigate. From your description it sounds like this is your plan. The other option is to go way south through the southern ocean by way of the capes. If you do this, the best way to go is east.

[WhataWorld!]

Thanks RainDog! Tropics is the plan. First few legs may be: Miami, Puerto Rico, BVI, Jamaica, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Easter Island, French Polynesia.

[Chattcatdaddy]

Originally Posted by WhataWorld!

Thanks RainDog! Tropics is the plan. First few legs may be: Miami, Puerto Rico, BVI, Jamaica, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Easter Island, French Polynesia.

Thats a tough way to go! Against the previaling winds/current from Miami to BVI!

Why just a year for the trip?

[WhataWorld!]

Yeah, but I thought it might be good to spend some time in the Caribbean first to make sure everything is ok.

I don't want to spend several years out circumnavigating because I am not sure I would be able to responsibly unplug from my land-based life for that long

[qwer5r]

Originally Posted by WhataWorld!

... First few legs may be: Miami, Puerto Rico, BVI ...

Search this forum and Google for "the thorny path", read what you'll find. Then, think carefully before starting the Miami -> P.R. -> BVI legs. That route looks short on a map but is a real bear (due to fighting the trade winds), and might chew up a substantial portion of the year you are thinking about.

Good luck.

[WhataWorld!]

Yeah, I was thinking about that. You're right, I think it might be better to go Miami, Bahamas, then down to Jamaica, and then the canal. I can always spend a couple months cruising the Caribbean some other time.

[Arch Stanton]

Not sure what your budget is, and I can't say anything from experience about these trimarans, but the Dragonfly series by Quorning has always struck me as beautiful and practical. Most of the benefits of a monohull (easier and cheaper docking via the swing wing system), plus the 18+ knots a trimaran can deliver in the right conditions.

Dragonfly Trimarans by Quorning Boats of Denmark | DRAGONFLY 1200 Presentation

[Ocean Girl]

Whataworld!,
Great name. There is a book called Cruising Routes by Jimmy Cornell
Amazon.com: world cruising routes jimmy cornell
We have a very knowledgeable multihull group.
Good luck, and please keep up updated, we'll be cheering for you.
Erika

[Hiracer]

If all you got is a year, then why do the circle? Why not a loop? Proly more fun. You might be setting yourself up for failure. Make the goal fit the time frame, not the other way.

[WhataWorld!]

Thanks for the great responses!

It has been a dream of mine to circumnavigate for many years, so what is a good estimate to circumnavigate in a pretty fast cruising trimaran? Also, I would be spending some time in some island chains, but probably no longer than a week. What is a good estimate for a circumnavigation that still visits several chains, but without staying longer than it takes to reprovision? This way I can plug in the estimated days for each stop. BTW, I know this is not an exact science, I just would like a rough estimate.

Also, would it still be legit to do it in spaced-apart hops? For instance, Miami to BVI, then fly back home, BVI to Galapagos to French Polynesia, then fly back home, and so on, still while completing a solo circumnavigation?

[Ocean Girl]

Yes! it will still be legit. I say go for it, dreams are meant to be followed.
I admire your determination, many people let their land responsibilities keep them from even trying.
Erika

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. Chinese Proverb

[RainDog]

Some food for thought: Arctic Solo Sail: Voyage through the northwest passage

He is on a Corsair F-31

[Ocean Girl]

One more quick thing,
My friend was the first deaf man to sail solo around the world, he did it in a mono in 9 months:
Palacios Beacon News Page

Silent Voyager

Pm me if you want more contact info, he is a great guy.
Erika

[WhataWorld!]

Wow! Mr. de Villiers seems like one heck of a guy! I'm not sure I could do I with only a handful of stops, though. I might end up befriending a volleyball.

As for the trimaran, I want something that is not necessarily trailerable, since it wouldn't need to be transported over land, but it would be nice to have semi-retractable amas for marinas.