[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by grovernors

old sailboat "graveyard" that unwanted vessels .

A boat that can safely circumnavigate would be in a Graveyard?

There are many bargain seekers out there - and some here on this forum - who would spot any boat that seaworthy that just needs a bit of work - and then sell it.

To sail around the world is not a small undertaking.

Slocome did it in 1895 but on a boat he had remade timber for timber, it was 40 feet long, 1 foot for each year of his experience as a sailing ships captain.


We bought a 39 footer 8 months ago that was in perfect sailing condition. I have been sailing since I was a kid and done half a circumnavigation in a rally/race prior. I am on the steepest learning curve! Every bit of equipment on a boat is totally different than any you would find on land. Engines are totally different too - diesel instead of petrol and mechanics cost a fortune because they have to come and see you, you can't take the boat to them.

There is a lot to learn.

Circumnavigating is so difficult that people were still setting (valid) records only a few years ago: Kate Cottee female circumnavigation without assistance etc 1988?

And people out there sometimes don't come back. Look at another thread on this board today with a boat lost in the Indian Ocean - 1 survivor and we are hopeful for the other 2.


All that being said, yes it can be done. Not by everyone. It makes it fundamentally more difficult with a little boat, little money, little experience and little monthly income. Only you know the real score on those things.

We are battling, but our monthly income is high compared to others, our boat slightly on the small size of average (I think the 'average' is about 41 feet?), and our boat is simpler in system than others. It should be an easy ride. But its not. Every day is budgeted. Nicolle can't buy an ice cream at the shop this weekend - or from the ice cream truck when it comes here tomorrow and Sunday - because we have blowen the budget for the week.

Do you really want to undertake one of the worlds most stressful lifestyles when you can't even afford an icecream? Let alone a boat that is not everyones cast-off?

So yes, it can be done. But the reality is a bit different from the dream. Make sure your feet are on the ground and your hand enjoys plunging deep into your pocket!





Mark