Which boat would you get for 1-2 year RTW cruise on a $900k budget?

[4ndreas]

Hi there

I'm exploring boat options for a 1-2 year cruise round the world. The total budget is USD $900k +/-.
The crew would mainly be my girlfriend and I (aged 27/35) but ideally the boat could comfortably fit 2-6 guests for extended periods.

We’ve grown up doing inshore racing and cruising on various dinghies and monohulls 30′ - 45′.

Given these circumstances, what would be your considerations when it comes to:

1) Price. Out of the $900k budget how much would you spend on the boat itself? Would you consider a boat loan to get the dream boat? (Can’t get over how beautiful that Beneteau First 53 is)

2) Size. What would be the sweet spot that is easy to handle for a couple, yet offers space enough for friends and family? How much would draft play into this decision?

3) Any suggestions? Any specific models you’d recommend looking at?

Thanks for any advice!

Andreas

[Dogscout]

US dollars or Oz dollars? other?

does total budget included the daily expenses of the voyage?

If I had 900k USD I'd buy a 200k boat and enjoy my trip.

[4ndreas]

Cheers Dogscout. It's USD and the 900k has to cover everything for the duration of the voyage.

[flightlead404]

1-2 years to go around the world is pretty fast. Are you racing or stopping to enjoy places?

Also, never borrow money to finance toys.

[Narfi]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

Also, never borrow money to finance toys.

I have always believed this a well. However, As I get older, and I learn more and open my mind a bit, I have come to realize that is only true when you have no money. When you have money and discipline, then there can be a lot more to the mathematical equations on what the right approach should be.....

[Paul L]

Outbound 46
https://outboundyachts.com/outbound-46/

[JBP]

900K for two years? You can hire a boat, a captain, a crew, a cook, a personal shopper, and maybe an extra boat with captain/crew just for fun

[AiniA]

Seems may too fast to me as well. We did a circumnavigation in four years and that seemed adequate at best. As a compromise say three years - work out the timing with Cornell's book. How often would you have six guests. If not often it seems that you would be spending hundreds of thousands for those rare occasions. I would be looking at something around 45' but that size provides lots of room for four and can handle six.

[4ndreas]

Originally Posted by flightlead404

1-2 years to go around the world is pretty fast. Are you racing or stopping to enjoy places?

Also, never borrow money to finance toys.

Good question. Was thinking something like the world ARC route with extended stops the most remote/interesting places and otherwise keep a good pace. Subject to change at we get going of course Intuitively i'd say the challenge of a circumnavigation and the sailing experience itself is more important than seeing everything.

Originally Posted by flightlead404

Also, never borrow money to finance toys.

Sounds like a decent rule of thumb

[4ndreas]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Outbound 46
https://outboundyachts.com/outbound-46/

What a beauty! Normally would lean more towards a modern racer/cruiser but this looks so fit for the purpose of ocean crossings.

[aqfishing]

If you want to do it in 1-2 years you might need a catamaran

[4ndreas]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Seems may too fast to me as well. We did a circumnavigation in four years and that seemed adequate at best. As a compromise say three years - work out the timing with Cornell's book. How often would you have six guests. If not often it seems that you would be spending hundreds of thousands for those rare occasions. I would be looking at something around 45' but that size provides lots of room for four and can handle six.

4 years sounds amazing. You might be right, but I'm not sure we can dedicate that long this time around. How did you go about planning your route before departing? Which boat did you sail?

Is the book you're referring to World Voyage Planner By Jimmy Cornell?

45' was also my initial thought although it's a bit tempting to look at the bigger Beneteau/Hanse/Bavarias.

[psk125]

Originally Posted by 4ndreas

What a beauty! Normally would lean more towards a modern racer/cruiser but this looks so fit for the purpose of ocean crossings.

You could do worse than a Carl Schumacher (Alerion, Express 37...) design. Suprising that the profile plan showing the keel/rudder aren't easily found online. A$600k price tag would leave a bit for incidentals.

[4ndreas]

Originally Posted by aqfishing

If you want to do it in 1-2 years you might need a catamaran

Have been eying cats too Just never sailed one bigger than a Hobie so it's a bit foreign. The Seawind 1370 looks v nice but probably out of budget.

Are they that much faster than a 45-50' modern monohull cruiser though?

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by 4ndreas

Have been eying cats too Just never sailed one bigger than a Hobie so it's a bit foreign. The Seawind 1370 looks v nice but probably out of budget.

Are they that much faster than a 45-50' modern monohull cruiser though?

Not soo sure on that I suppose it all depends on the type of cat or mono you are comparing to each other. I can say with utmost certainty that a cat is more level!

My Admiral will never live at an angle, so not much of a choice for me!

If you look at the Seawind, Balance or other performance cats, then they would probably be a lot faster than most non racing monos. As for your regular production cruising cats, not so sure. I suppose it would largely depend on the mono you compare if too.

I would say you could pick up a REALLY nice newish secondhand cat for $500k spend $100k fixing essentials if you really have to, then you got plenty left over.

Fun thought!

When you wanting to go?