A round-the-world voyage on a sailing yacht is the most magical event in the life of any yachtsman. Interparus will tell you how to prepare for a round-the-world voyage.
A round-the-world voyage is an absolutely unique and incomparable experience. However, like any other cruise, almost anyone can do a round-the-world voyage with the right level of persistence, planning, and desire. In the last longread for 2024, Interparus will tell you about yachtsman Dan Bauer's advice on a round-the-world voyage.
The material was prepared based on an article from Yachting World magazine.
How the round-the-world trip began...
Personal preparation and sailing skills are still the most important part of planning a round-the-world voyage. Knowledge and competence help you navigate difficult situations more easily, which means more fun for you and your crew.
This doesn't mean you need to be an experienced sailor, but you do need to take the time to sail a few hundred nautical miles yourself and learn the maintenance and systems (or hire a professional crew).
Skyelark II. Source: adventuresailing.com
On February 1, 2024, Dan's yacht Skyelark II passed through the final Miraflores lock of the Panama Canal, becoming the first yacht in this year's World ARC fleet to enter the Pacific Ocean.
It’s been a full decade since Dan and his wife Em first sailed west from the Caribbean to circumnavigate the globe. As it is now, the 2014 World ARC gave Dan a glimpse of the world from a circumnavigation perspective. However, it took six years of preparation and planning. Ironically, Dan and Em ended up honeymooning on their first regatta circumnavigation.
As Brouwer himself shares, the main problem was finances: the young couple were only 20 years old when they bought a cruise boat and then looked for funding for a round-the-world trip. The option that suited the couple was to take paying guests with them. This approach allowed them to raise the necessary amount of money.
Skyelark II. Source: adventuresailing.com
That same year, 2014, the pair wrote several articles and produced a series of videos for Yachting World magazine. The series looked at approaches to long-distance sailing, skipper training and preparation. Now, ten years, 100,000 nautical miles and two Pacific Ocean crossings later, Dan is ready to share his experiences of circumnavigating the globe on a sailing yacht.
The importance of communication
Cruising yachting is booming and the community is flooded with newcomers. Dan shares that he is pleased to see how many boat owners who crossed the Atlantic in the last ARC are still sailing today.
They went out to sea, bought a boat and did it. The pandemic seems to have spurred people to make their dreams come true. In many ways, COVID, according to Dan, is the reason why yachting is experiencing a new Golden Age. Yes, many of these newcomers will quickly cool off and leave yachting, but the core of those who remain will change the industry greatly and are already changing it. New blood is always development and a reason to rejoice.
Sailing the Pacific and beyond is more challenging than simple cruising. Not so much the sailing itself, but the lack of access to services, parts and assistance. You need to be self-sufficient, and with today's sophisticated yachts there are many systems to learn.
Which brings us to the topic of communications, particularly Starlink, which has made cruising so much more convenient and easier. You can now access information that can help you solve problems as they arise, like learning how to diagnose an electrical fault on YouTube, making WhatsApp video calls with your shipper’s tech support team, or accessing real-time telemedicine in an emergency. And a simple call to a friend or family member from the heart of the Pacific Ocean can give you and your loved ones peace of mind.
2024 was the first year that Starlink really went mainstream: almost every cruise ship Dan saw had a Starlink system installed. While it’s no substitute for practical sailing skills and knowledge of your vessel, being able to spot problems or call for help does make the learning curve easier for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy.
How important is reliable communication at sea?
Starlink has proven itself in the area of knowledge sharing and problem solving at sea. Several ocean “incidents” have been quickly coordinated using the always-on satellite systems that allow messaging apps to operate 24/7.
We all step out of our comfort zones sometimes, and Dan doesn’t encourage complacency with onboard connectivity, but when you’re out on the open ocean, access to information can make a difference. Materials like online health and self-help courses need to be at your fingertips, so having a fast internet connection is essential when sailing around the world.
In contrast, Dan believes that high-speed internet is not necessary for everyday use. Constantly being online deprives yachtsmen of the most important thing - the joy of being away from the shore, news and problems.
Around the world trip and preparation
More and more new boats and larger yachts are sailing the world's oceans. Today, sailing racing fleets are being filled with an explosion of high-speed catamarans, aluminum expedition yachts and luxury monohulls.
Many of these new yachts have been designed for ocean sailing from the moment they are built, and are equipped with all the necessities that would have been considered “luxuries” just 10 years ago. Watermakers, solar panels, hydroelectric generators and lithium batteries that can power air conditioners – life at sea is becoming a little closer to life at home.
Dan shares: “When we upgraded from our classic 1982 Skye 51 to a modern Oyster 62, Skyelark II, we had a lot of new systems to learn, especially given the complexity of the hydraulic sail controls and the size of the electrical systems needed to handle all the loads.
In preparation for our circumnavigation, we underwent all of Oyster's recommended 10-year maintenance checks, which included a complete overhaul of all systems."
Technical maintenance
Boat maintenance is the best time to get to know your boat better and study it. Before any trip to sea, it is necessary to carry out technical inspection and repairs, and before a round-the-world trip – even more so. Your safety and peace of mind during the cruise depend on it.
Whether you've purchased a new yacht or refitted an old one, you'll still need to spend time and effort learning about the systems on board.
Source: beneteau.com
You need to make sure you have spare parts and tools to make repairs, or the ability and willingness to do without them if something goes wrong, rather than wasting time waiting for unnecessary things to be repaired in remote locations.
Electricity generation
The development of renewable energy sources, increased efficiency and the increased space on larger yachts to accommodate solar panels have made generator-free cruising more feasible.
Since low power generators often create the biggest headaches while sailing, reducing reliance on them seems to be the best solution.
What sails are suitable for a round the world trip?
According to Dan, the best choice for a long trip would be dacron sails. This material has long established itself as durable and reliable. Dacron sails are highly resistant to wear, UV radiation and salt water, which makes them an ideal choice for multi-month voyages. They are, so to speak, “bulletproof”: such sails can withstand greater loads than their laminated counterparts.
Another important advantage is repairability. Dacron sails are easy to repair even in camping conditions using a special repair kit. Unlike laminates, damaged Dacron sails do not require specialized equipment or workshop services, which saves time and money. In addition, their cost is significantly lower than that of high-tech materials, which makes Dacron a practical choice for yachtsmen planning long routes.
The kit must include storm sails. They are indispensable in conditions of strong wind and high waves, ensuring the stability and safety of the vessel. The type of other sails depends on the personal preferences of the crew and the route.
Dan prefers to go without light wind sails, finding that mainsails (mainsail, jib, asymmetric spinnaker or symmetric kite) are up to the task. His advice: “I don’t mind an extra day at sea if the winds are light. But when I’m in a hurry, diesel will get me through the mile quicker than any sail. It all depends on your priorities: do you want to enjoy the sailing or get to your destination as quickly as possible?”
Some regions of the world are notorious for their poor cartography and outdated pilot information. One such example is Fiji, a place that, despite its navigational difficulties, is considered one of the most beautiful places to cruise and is definitely worth a visit.
When maps or satellite images don’t give a clear picture of the terrain, old-fashioned methods are used. One is to lift a crew member up into the shrouds for a visual observation. According to Dan, this has become their daily practice in remote areas. GPS and electronic maps are, of course, indispensable tools, but in difficult areas, observation and caution are crucial.
Successful navigation requires suitable conditions: clear weather, calm sea and no strong gusts of wind. If the weather is unfavorable, it is better to wait out the difficult moment in a safe harbor.
Social media communities play an important role in making navigation easier. They provide up-to-date information on route conditions, including dangerous areas, new shallows, and changing shorelines. Cruisers actively share waypoints and safe passages, allowing them to adapt to the conditions of a particular region.
However, despite all the preparation, reality always brings surprises. New shallows, sand bars or unexpectedly changed coastlines are all typical in remote regions, and being prepared for them is an important part of circumnavigation.
What should you bring with you?
When sailing around the world, the list of necessary equipment goes beyond the standard items. According to Dan, here are the key items you can't do without:
A reliable anchor
Your anchor is your home while you're moored, so it's important to choose a quality, reliable one. Dan recommends having:
- A main anchor with a chain at least 100 m long. In the Pacific Ocean, anchorages are often deep, and the confidence that the boat is secure allows you to calmly ride out a storm or go exploring the coast.
- Spare anchor in case the main one breaks.
- A lightweight stern anchor that is especially useful in heavy swells or busy anchorages to secure the stern and prevent unwanted drifts.
Water Toys
Anchoring in a turquoise lagoon behind a coral reef is a rare chance to enjoy solitude and natural beauty. To get the most out of your experience, it is helpful to bring items such as:
- Scuba diving kit (mask, fins, snorkel).
- SUP board or kayak to explore the lagoons.
- Inflatable mattresses or floating chairs for relaxing on the water.
- Fishing gear for dinner right from the boat.
Dan adds: “Being anchored away from the hustle and bustle, with no internet access, surrounded only by the sound of the waves and the starry sky, is one of the greatest pleasures of the ocean.”
If there is space on board, you can take:
- Small grill for cooking fish outdoors.
- An underwater camera to capture amazing moments.
- Travel gear (backpacks, trekking shoes) for adventures on the shore.
Diving kit
When sailing around the world, independence and the ability to solve problems on your own are key. For example, if your anchor gets stuck in coral or debris, being able to free it yourself will save you a lot of time and frustration. Dan strongly recommends:
- A complete scuba set, including a cylinder, regulator, buoyancy compensator and necessary equipment.
- Spare equipment (mask, snorkel, fins and knife for underwater work).
“Going down to the propeller or anchor yourself not only speeds up the solution to the problem, but also helps avoid significant costs on calling in specialists,” Dan shares.
Reliable rigging
Rigging is the lifeblood of your yacht. No amount of saving is justified when it comes to rope quality and maintenance. Key recommendations:
- Strong and durable ropes. It is better to immediately purchase products made of high-quality materials that are resistant to ultraviolet radiation, moisture and friction.
- Regular inspection. Friction is the enemy of rigging and can damage even the strongest ropes. Dan recommends regularly inspecting all knots, attachments, and working areas of the ropes for wear.
- Lubrication of blocks and maintenance of pulleys. This reduces friction and extends the life of the rigging.
The correct approach to the selection and maintenance of rigging will ensure safety, reliability and peace of mind during crossings, especially in difficult weather conditions.
Final conclusions
As you may have noticed, Dan does not emphasize in his thoughts the fact that there are any excessive difficulties in circumnavigating the globe. On the contrary, in one of the first paragraphs of the text he directly states: “You do not have to be an experienced sailor…” However, the devil is in the details.
Planning and preparation are the keys to success. A round-the-world trip can indeed be accomplished by a relatively new sailor, but the level of preparation must be appropriate. For Dan, for example, it took six years.
Remember, if a round-the-world trip on a yacht is your dream, then years of preparation will not be an obstacle. The dream should lead you forward, show you the way and inspire you. And in this case, even a round-the-world trip will be within your power.
New video on the Interparus channel!
New yacht equipment straight from METSTRADE 2024! We have prepared a large list of interesting equipment of various sizes and for various purposes. Enjoy watching❤️
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