How to go around the world on a yacht if you are a beginner?

Romance, romance

Five oceans, where there is only you, the elements and the endless romance of adventure ... We think that many even non-beginner yachtsmen somehow imagine the beginning of the circumnavigation. 

Marinas and cities give way to wild beaches and high icebergs, virgin nature smoothly turns into the beauty of coastal villages. And all this under sail, on board your favorite boat. And even better in the company of your faithful pet! Or a friend.

It is not uncommon to hear from yachtsmen of all backgrounds, with and without a boat, that a trip around the world is a very tempting idea for many, and a dream for some.

At the same time, for some reason, a lot of yachtsmen are convinced that the circumnavigation of the world should be mastered either alone or with the closest relatives/friends/dogs/cats (underline the necessary). However, there are many more options for how a beginner can master a round-the-world trip on board a sailboat without unnecessary problems and difficulties. Today we will talk about just that! 

harsh reality

Now, back to the sobering reality for a moment. Most likely, during your “lifetime cruise” there will be many difficult and dangerous situations. Broken electronics, howling and angry winds, treacherous icebergs, mold on food, instant coffee (although many people like it), vegetables and fruits with insect larvae, instant noodles, shipping lanes and even pirates - this and much more can become your faithful companion. .

No, no, we are by no means against the circumnavigation of the world. Just like real sailors, we have to assume that we are already in a worse situation in order to avoid even more problems. Most of what we have described in the previous paragraph does not depend on the yachtsman and the boat at all, and such difficulties and dangers are the most insidious. 

For those who have already managed to bury the dream of traveling in two paragraphs, we hasten to please - not everything is so bad. There are several very attractive options for realizing your dreams.

Where to begin?

To begin with, it should be understood that circumnavigating the world is not for the faint of heart and inexperienced yachtsmen. Especially solitary - this, one might say, is aerobatics, which many very experienced and wise sea wolves do not dare to do.

The founder of the famous Clipper Race around the world, Robin Knowe-Johnston, once said: “You can never conquer the ocean. And even more so, you won’t master it. You can only survive and pass the tests that the ocean will throw at you during your journey. One relatively easy and successful trip around the world does not mean that luck will smile on you a second time. However, the first unsuccessful experience does not mean that nothing will work out the second time.” 

We recommend listening to the words of this wise man. He is indeed right - it is very reckless to think that you can harness the elements. Fortunately or unfortunately, there are many things in our world that we cannot control. The ocean is one of those things. Respect for the elements and understanding of this fact is the first step to a successful trip around the world.

Oh, by the way, mother nature is a real Freddy Krueger, who can sometimes throw very unpleasant and very untimely surprises. If this fact does not scare you, then continue.

The next step will be the realization that even if you are a very experienced yachtsman, then throwing yourself into the arms of the elements alone is at least reckless enough. If before that you had experience of cruising only along the coast or inland waters, then the best option for you will be ...

Participation in the regatta!

Yes, yes, round the world regatta. There are not many of them, but at least the legendary Clipper Race can be a great starting point. This regatta has been held for 12 years. Clipper Race is a real adventure. To begin with, you will undergo a serious training course that will last about a month. During this time, you will get to know the team, your captain and learn the essence of teamwork. We remind you that teamwork is the key to success at sea and in the ocean.

The most important thing that you will learn from this regatta is the invaluable experience of circumnavigating the world in a team under the guidance of an experienced captain-mentor. Yes, the presence of complete strangers in a team can become an obstacle for introverts, but the elements bring them together. Even more yachting.

In addition to the Clipper Race, there are several more regattas for yachtsmen with little experience. World ARC and Oyster World Rally offer the ultimate opportunity to sail around the world on your own yacht with a group of like-minded sailors. Many yachtsmen, by the way, quickly adapted to the circumnavigation conditions and after a couple of years they themselves led their boats on the way from one hemisphere to another.

Boat rental with a captain

Want a little more intimate journey without the extra faces? Well, renting a boat with a captain is your option. This is not a cheap pleasure, but again, this is an opportunity to gain experience, as they say, first-hand. 

If you can’t stop the regatta because you miss your beloved cat (by the way, why didn’t you take it with you?), then the cruise on a rented yacht can be suspended. Probably, for someone this can be a significant plus.

And yet, in our opinion, if you want to gain experience, it is better to try to take part in the regatta. After that, I think it will be much easier to master the circumnavigation of the world with family or friends than immediately after obtaining a skipper's license.

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07.01.2023