Ten lessons in long-distance sailing on a yacht

In this article, we'll look at ten lessons that a long swim can teach us, what to look for in preparation, and what to be prepared for in advance. There's the most important bonus lesson at the end!

Lesson 1: Money, money, money

If the idea of sailing around the world came to you long before retirement, then the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop weighing and looking for the best time. The secret is that there is simply no better time than “now”. This does not mean that you need to drop everything, buy or rent a boat and try to sail around the world. No, you need to take a sensible approach to realizing your dream of the sea.

Nowadays, you can find a large number of sailors and yachtsmen who realized their dream of circumnavigating the globe or sailing far away at a young age. By “young,” we mean under 45. Interestingly, many of these yachtsmen are not what you would call wealthy or rich; the vast majority of them continued to work, albeit remotely, on board the yacht during their cruise. 

Other yachtsmen live a slightly different life - they work for six months or a year, in order to spend the next six months at sea. Yachtsmen with specialized knowledge often offer their services as craftsmen for other yachtsmen, for example, as electricians, boat builders, carpenters, etc. Some are looking for work on shore that will be somehow related to yachting...

There are many examples. In any case, it is necessary to choose a convenient and, most importantly, practical option in your case. Many yachtsmen reinvent themselves during the cruise and it is not even about the influence of the trip - the approach to earning money simply changes.

Lesson 2: The Best Time

The only correct answer to the question: “When is the best time to go on a long cruise?” is now. Not earlier, not later, as soon as possible and do not put it off. However, the real question is not when exactly you will start your yacht trip, but how long this trip will take. Do you want to go “wild”, so that all your friends and relatives will forget about you? Are you planning to combine work and a cruise? Do you want to move to a yacht, leaving behind a hectic life on land? 

Most yachtsmen and aspiring sailors are probably not ready to take the risk and move to a yacht entirely. Then there is the question of work - should you take a vacation, switch to a remote format, or try to somehow combine the two? These are questions that only you know the answers to. Let's throw in another thought for reflection: perhaps you should start your yachting adventure from nearby waters, not overseas. If you live in Europe, then almost the entire Mediterranean is at your disposal, which is in no way inferior to the Caribbean Sea in terms of the variety of places and activities.

And, perhaps most importantly: yachting is not about a checklist of marinas and cities that must be passed in the shortest possible time. Yachting is about an attitude to life, about a connection with nature, about rhythm and about the sea.

Lesson 3: The Right Yacht

Another area of meaning is akin to the best time. For a successful cruise, you need to find the right boat for you. In fact, the only criterion for a “successful” boat is convenience. Is it convenient for you to moor? How do the winches feel and are they conveniently located? Is the cockpit spacious enough? Is there room for things in the cabins? And so on down the list…

Despite what marketers try to convince us, the size of a boat must correspond to the owner's age in feet, or the size of the dignity (not a compensation, we believe), or whatever, the reality is that a huge number of people choose smaller yachts. The size of a boat should be its advantage, not its disadvantage. The feeling of safety from a "big boat" can be deceptive - a vivid example was the tragedy with the yacht Bayesian last year, when a huge sailing superyacht sank in 90 seconds. 

Also, as practice shows, a very common story is small crews for long and not so long cruises. This brings us to the next lesson.

Lesson 4: Partners, Team, Associates

On board many ships, the traditional division of roles is the basis of teamwork. And when it comes to people who understand why they are going to sea, then there are usually no difficulties, but when it comes to a couple, everything changes. Often, married couples go on cruises at the insistence of one of the family members. This same family member is the driving force behind the whole idea. The other half often just follows the "skipper".

The sea does not like such an attitude. The sea values high-quality interaction of the team as a whole and only such teams are able to overcome the difficulties that the elements will throw at them. The first calls to marinas in a new country and magical sunsets will quickly give way to a sea routine - and this is the reason why many yachtsmen, who once went to sea with their other half, later return to the sea on their own.

A long journey together can be really difficult. The saying “one year on a boat, ten years on land” is not so far from the truth. Living together in a limited space is almost guaranteed to lead to misunderstandings and squabbles. It is at this point that it becomes clear that love and friendship are also about compromise.

And to avoid problems with your significant other and their attitude to yachting, we have prepared a whole video about how to involve your loved ones in our common cause!

Lesson 5: A break is not the end of the road

For many yachtsmen, during a long cruise or a real long voyage, there inevitably comes a time when it is necessary to take a break. Contrary to popular belief, life on a sailboat is not always an endless vacation. Winds, weather, difficult moorings, repairs, passages - these are just pieces of the puzzle that make up the exhausting stress.

Sometimes a short break during a voyage can save the voyage itself. A day or two in a marina or a quiet anchorage - and some people need a break even in a noisy city - can be a healing pause. In addition, such stops can give an opportunity to understand the wisdom of continuing the journey.

Lesson 6: Overexposure to emotions

Suddenly and unexpectedly, even the coolest, coolest, most eventful cruise can become boring, tedious and tiring. And this, it would seem, in a situation where everything is favorable: the sea, the weather, and the higher powers. The endless beauty of the sunset sea, the cobbled streets of old port towns, crystal clear water, dolphins, a snow-white beach... Ideal, isn't it? But all this can inspire mortal melancholy - even in an inexperienced person.

The answer is simple: communication is more important than any landscape. Other yachtsmen, locals, a dog in the marina, an unexpected trip to the market - all these encounters fill life on the road with meaning. Do not withdraw into yourself and stoically overcome nature alone. 

Lesson 7: Get Off the Beaten Path

And although there are fewer of them (untrodden paths), they still exist. You just have to look harder. Even in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. Yes, you have to try, but such places still exist, there are still quiet bays, small, barely noticeable marinas, remote sandbanks and islets. It's all there.

And those who dare to go beyond their usual directions and routes will be rewarded many times over. Many yachtsmen admit that the brightest moments in their memory were imprinted in places that many sailors avoid. It is there that lies the silence, peace, and virgin purity of nature, which is sometimes so lacking in the main directions.

Lesson 8: Admitting Mistakes is the Key to Growth

If you go to some thematic groups on Facebook, you will get the impression that sailors, and especially many yachtsmen, are simply infallible. All, as if handpicked, are participants in regattas and have passed such tests... Those on the couch stand out especially. 

The reality is a little different. In life, we make mistakes all the time. It is important to remember this when planning your trip. Always leave a gap and room to maneuver in case of any mistake. Always have a plan B, C, D, E in case plan A fails. 

The most offensive mistakes are those that happened through our own fault. There are also mistakes that became possible through the fault of other people or even by chance. However, the best thing to do with a mistake is to honestly admit it to yourself. The highest level of skill is to share the mistake from the heights of experience and, if possible, warn others from making the same mistakes.

Lesson 9: Four-legged friend

There is no consensus regarding the presence of dogs and cats on board. Some advocate for the presence of our smaller brothers, some are against. There is no average opinion among veterinarians either. 

However, one thing is certain: a yacht trip with a dog and visiting many countries will require much more effort than a cruise without one. Whether it is worth it depends on each owner and their view of the situation. Both dogs and cats are not uncommon on yachts during long voyages. On the contrary, they can be found quite often. Almost half of all boats have pets. 

Compared to their relatives in big cities, four-legged creatures on yachts look happier. And their owners, too. In addition, animals on board a yacht have their own benefits. For example, a cat is rightfully considered one of the best cockroach exterminators, and a dog remains one of the best security systems for any boat.

Lesson 10: Weather

Let's return briefly to the second lesson and the statement that there will never be a better time than now. This is true. The climate is changing, the approach to yachting is changing, globalization is marching victoriously across the planet, which means that future cruises and travels will be different. There is no longer a question of whether the most remote corners of the planet will become tourist spots - it is simply a matter of time, not probability.

The same goes for weather conditions. Even without global warming, the reality is depressing - summers are getting longer, seasons are losing their clear boundaries, storms are getting angrier and angrier... Fortunately, such changes are not noticeable everywhere, but this is no reason to stay on the sidelines. 

For us, sailboaters, the weather plays a decisive role. Routes become more difficult to plan, we have to adapt to the rapidly changing situation. This is another reason to realize your dream as soon as possible. 

Lesson 11: Bonus

In fact, this article is not about how bad everything is and how it is better not to go on long cruises. On the contrary, we are driven by exceptional optimism. A dream of the sea, framed in fantasy, always risks breaking into many pieces, but a dream of the sea, seasoned with preparation and a realistic view of things, will give you more than you could ever imagine.

Is the climate changing? Maybe new routes will open up! Inflation is eating money and I can’t buy a boat right now? Well, I’ve been wanting to try charter for a long time! We sailors must look to the future with optimism and find a reason for joy in the darkest times. That’s why the main lesson for any yachtsman is to never lose heart and confidently look forward, even if there is a typhoon ahead and a squall wind behind.

New video on Interparus channel

🛠️We tuned and tuned and finally tuned! We present a video review of the Dufour 37 - one of the most interesting boats of the shipyard. As usual, we will tell and show the main modifications, layout and other interesting things. Enjoy watching!

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14.06.2025