Thinking of living on a sailboat and traveling world, is this possible?

[GettingOutofUsa]

I was looking at Catalina sailboats about 27ft, have a shoestring budget. I've been thinking when I hit ten grand Mark will buy a boat and leave USA This would leave me a very small amount for repairs and living. Used to living in a car for ten years. I really don't need alot, just things to survive.
I love to fish and thought I could make extra chartering and fishing for food. My endgoal is finding a new country to live in. Which could very well be hard if not impossible. I had trouble in the past but paid my debts and done with all my obligations, but prepared for alot of countries to deny me entry. If I can't find a place thinking will just live on the boat and keep traveling, I don't plan on coming back to USA if I don't have to.
I've put alot of thought and research in this but have alot more to do also. Wondering if I'm dreaming to big or if I should keep aiming for this goal? Options are limited for me just looking for a better life. Any thoughts on this is greatly appreciated

[boatman61]

On a 27ftr chartering is not feasible.. way to small.
If you can get to say St Martin and are handy you can maybe earn cash working on boats doing maintenance or repairs.. elec, engine, grp skills useful.
Just boils down to how adaptable and amenable you are.

[Jammer]

1) Check the immigration requirements of your destination before you leave. This is a good idea regardless of whether you plan to stay a day or a lifetime. You can get visas in advance if there is doubt as to your admissibility



2) A 27' boat is small but people have done it. It depends where you want to go, and your skill. Most people who succeed start with smaller, local voyages to build experience. I believe @boat_alexandra has a boat about that size and he has seen the world.


3) It is generally not possible to charter a boat that was purchased for less than $100,000



4) Boats cost a lot to maintain, figure at least $5,000 per year for a 27' boat, older boats generally cost more to maintain than newer boats


5) Read, ask questions, sail on other people's boats



6) Having a USCG-issued license (at least OUPV and preferably near coastal) would be an expectation if you want to operate your boat for hire.



7) You will have to decide for yourself if this is a good idea, I don't have a vote either way

[Zzmeyer]

It is expensive to enter a lot of countries. Welcome to CF. You will get lots of input on your dream.

[GettingOutofUsa]

I wasn't thinking of that I have a 14ft boat here that really is small. Unfortunately not to handy but very good at learning and adapting. My skills are around computers and can detail anything. Not to exciting in a survival situation lol.

I'd say my biggest problem is going to be immigration I had a list of all but 1 in Asia that would deny me most likely, it might be different now. The main place said I was ok to go tempting to try to fly. But a couple years ago would say that but turn me away when I got there.

I was looking at the 1980s I don't think I could afford a new one, have a couple ideas to get more money but it's more on a hope then having a chance to succeed. I do think it's a bad idea lol but I face a choice of leaving or worrying about getting caught up in the legal System again politician's and their pens at election time are dangerous lol. Thanks for the points have me thinking things I wasn't before

[Chotu]

I’d fly.

You have a complicated situation and adding the complexities of trying to sail everywhere into the mix with leave you very frustrated.

Flying somewhere and getting a local van to live out of would be immensely easier and more comfortable. Check the immigration first, of course. Get the proper visas and just go and don't look back.

Maybe focus on places unlike the States that have a strong sense of community. You could become part of the community. The defects of the states are why I assume you're leaving.

Maybe even look for a place where people do digital nomad entrepreneurial activities. You could probably pick up some side work from expats doing something you're already good at.

[Juho]

Some people think (and have proven) that a 27' Albin Vega is quite enough for two persons. Maybe a bit small for chartering, as already said, but otherwise, I don't see any big problems doing it with a 27' boat.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3T...2FHS0dg80oX6dQ

[Stewie12]

Just go for it with an open mind and I am sure it will all work out well for you. The more you think about it the more obstacles you will come up with.

[thomm225]

If your plan is to travel the world on a small sailboat, you might want to get a boat that can handle it and then sail it locally for a few months to two years to see if you even like sailing.

Here is a list of some small and strong offshore cruise capable sailboats and some good advice as well from a guy that has traveled the world/circumnavigated twice on a 28' sailboat

https://atomvoyages.com/planning/goo...oats-list.html

[anacapaisland42]

Buy a mid 70's around 30+ feet , displacing lots,

Don't count on a penny from chartering, it ain't gonna happen
It's expensive clearing in etc, learn the paperwork routine.
Learn something that's handy to other boaters
Find a reason to go rather that just escaping the world

Do it NOW,

Bill
Canadian age 77 now near end of 5 months in Colombia in the sun and enjoying the delightful Colombian people

[brendanwalls]

I've thought about this too, but only in terms of finding a cheaper place to retire. Cuba would seem a perfect option for you, not too far in a boat. If you want to drive south in your car, look at the website segundamano you'll find all kinds of cheap places to live in Mexico and cheaper boats to buy than here in the usa. Just keep driving south. I've also seen good-looking places all over the globe on Airbnb for less than $10 a day rental.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Living on a boat of 27 feet is very doable. Are you handy with things mechanical, structural, and cosmetic? If so, that will help you a lot with your budget.

Thomm225 has an excellent idea about trying it out by going coastal first. The fact that you have lived in a car for quite a while will help quite a bit. Having said that, there are some differences. The two biggest differences are first that you need room for all the sailing kit that will allow you to travel. Second, you will need room for provisions for extended living away from ready supplies.

You don't mention where you are, and if I read your original post correctly, you are thinking of moving to Asia. If this is the case, you will need to get there and that means going through one of two canals which are a reasonably significant cost, or going around either of the two major southern capes. Even if you bypass Cape Horn by using a channel, high latitude sailing requires a lot more than normal sailing. This journey is not for the ill prepared and presents significant challenges,

I recommend not limiting yourself to 27 feet, but be willing to consider a boat slightly larger also. You may stumble upon a good deal, and occasionally the slightly larger boat may be the better deal.

Good luck with your quest!

[MAJICDAN]

We have a 1974 Gulfstar 53MS that has been around the world twice before I bought her.
Currently we spend about six months a year in the Caribbean. It is about thirteen days off shore From Ft. Pierce Fl to St Thomas USVI.

[joelhemington]

This is a bizarre plan at best. Sailing around the world is best accomplished with at least 3 crew on board for watch duties (otherwise you're a hazard to yourself and everybody else) 27' is not going to get it. Given your budget, I'd plan to get down to Guatemala where you can find almost free boats in the Rio Dulce that are in the process of abandonment. And yes, it is cheap to live down there and find work - unfortunately you won't make squat like most places where the cost of living is cheap (ie: the Phillipines). The Rio Dulce has a fairly lively sailing community as it's a popular hurricane hole for the Caribbean and there's a lot of boat work to be had (again at rock bottom wages).

[trimarannaga]

Follow your dreams. You can make it work. You will need a way to make money tho, no matter where you go. Find a skill you have or learn one. Lots of folks out on the watery world with boats who need help fixing stuff. This is one way for us working class sailors to do what we love. For me, i sew stuff. Aint gonna get rich but it pays the bills and allows me to follow my dreams.