Why Would Anyone Want to Circumnavigate Non-Stop ?

[psteele235]

I just don't get it.

Surely sailing around the world to explore new places, meet new people, eat new foods, smell new smells, listen to new sounds etc is infinitely more satisfying than spending months alone at sea so that (if &) when you return you can say "I spent x months alone on a boat in the middle of the ocean, and now I am back again"?

[Liam Wald]

Some people do it because they are just afraid to dock the boat!
I read about one guy who was not very good at docking. Every time he wanted to stop there were a bunch of gawkers on the dock so rather than embarrass himself he just kept on going.

[Ahnlaashock]

Some folks out there are there to keep from having to meet any new people, keep from having to interact with the ones they already have met, and the last thing they are interested is another noisy city or urban area.
Just guessing, but that is the part that attracts me.
A few minutes connection time a day is more than enough people contact to keep me happy!

[David M]

...so they can boast that they did? ...or perhaps do a seminar or two at the local boat show?

Here is the bottom line question...if the Earth was devoid of humans except for him, would he still do it?

[Ram]

one things for sure you will have a lot of time to find out who you are!

[conachair]

Originally Posted by psteele235

Surely sailing around the world to explore new places, meet new people, eat new foods, smell new smells, listen to new sounds etc is infinitely more satisfying than spending months alone at sea so that (if &) when you return you can say "I spent x months alone on a boat in the middle of the ocean, and now I am back again"?

Everyone is different. I find after a while the thought landfall can be a major inconvenience.I just did 32 days solo from Caib - Azores. towards the end don´t think i can ever remember being more content, though it was nice to get in and eat fresh food and have a beer. But as KurtVonnegut said...
Tiger got to hunt, bird got to fly; Man got to sit and wonder, 'Why, why, why?' Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land; Man got to tell himself he understand.

[conachair]

Originally Posted by David M

Here is the bottom line question...if the Earth was devoid of humans except for him, would he still do it?

Out there it is.
After a week or two start to come to terms how increadably small and completely insignificant you really are. It is a wonderful feeling.

[FSMike]

Recommended reading on subject:
The Long Way
by Bernard Moitessier

[SkiprJohn]

I've read his books but still don't understand his motivation except the shunning responsibility and getting away from people part.
Chichester's books are equally as good.
regards,

[SaltyMonkey]

1) so they don't have to anchor

2) and then sit there chit chatting and posturing with a bunch of yuks.

[bvimatelot]

Originally Posted by psteele235

I just don't get it.

Surely sailing around the world to explore new places, meet new people, eat new foods, smell new smells, listen to new sounds etc is infinitely more satisfying than spending months alone at sea so that (if &) when you return you can say "I spent x months alone on a boat in the middle of the ocean, and now I am back again"?

Why become a Hermit or a Trappist Monk (or a Nun)? All good luck to those who sail, dont make a fuss, dont blog, dont expect to try and capitalise on it or try to get funding on anticipation of getting around etc, etc. ...and dont moan when things dont go exactly right. My sort of people....Tony

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

I've read his books but still don't understand his motivation except the shunning responsibility and getting away from people part.
Chichester's books are equally as good.
regards,

I consider them the most beautiful books ever written about solo sailing, and was going to suggest you reread them especially "Tamata and the Alliance", but then I remembered an old saying about long distance running that goes something like ...

"For those that understand, no explanation is necessary. For those that don't understand, no explanation will suffice."

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by psteele235

I just don't get it.

Then don't do it

"You ask me why? I asked why not?"

Maybe someone simply has nothing (they consider) better to do at that point in their lives?

I like the idea (but I am not up to it and maybe also know enough not to try) - and nothing to do with others (although I am sure I would mention it now and again ) - Solo RTW non-stop kinda reminds me of the time I rode a motorbike to Berlin (a year or 2 after the wall came down) and back in a weekend (a ferry home at each end). I even managed a night (albeit a short one ) in a hotel and a bit of sightseeing in Berlin (ok. I was lost ). All in all something of an endurance event (the trick wasn't high speeds - although possibly involved - it was the high averages).

Why? just seemed like a good idea. and was curious to see if I could do it. Why Berlin? no real reason just fitted in with a start, a middle and an end. and I wasn't after anything about finding my inner child. or summit and I wsn't up to much else at the time.

Did I enjoy it? sorta. Did I do it again? no! the term PITA still has real meaning But glad I did it? yes. no ambition to do that again though. overall of no great importance in my life, but I still remember it..........

Sometimes things are just what they are.

[SkiprJohn]

For Doodles,
Yes, I did long distance running but always stopped when I reached the end of 26.2 miles. While running I was able to see the scenery, talk with others if I wished, experience the geography.
Round the world nonstop doesn't do it for me but for Moitessier it seemed his nirvana. He seemed to me to be a troubled man who found sailing to be the answer.
Its just not for me.
kind regards,

[VirtualVagabond]

I'm dying to do it!
But I've still got this deep seated fear that the earth is flat......