Circumnavigation - Advice from you

[pilott]

Nikolaj,
I recommend the book Brave or Stupid by Tracey Christiansen, Yanne Larsson and Carl-Erik Andersson. It's also available as a free podcast. Its the true story of two non-sailing middle aged Scandanavians who decided to circumnavigate, and how they did it. A really inspiring tale

[Martin S]

NikolajAM, to supplement the answers here I would urge you to read a few books on the subject and there are many. You will quickly learn what makes a solidly built boat capable of taking you around the world. Ignore the first boat comments, there is no reason why you can’t buy a capable boat as your first; I have. Like you I have that dream and whether I become capable enough to take on the challenge is a big question mark, however I know if I get to that point I do not need to change boat in order to take on such a venture. Pursue your dream, who knows what may happen. Good luck.

[Sailwithscott]

Buy the smallest boat you can stand, not the biggest boat you can afford.
30 to 35 foot is plenty large. Important that it sail fast. You will regret not being able to make at least 150 miles a day. Remember that most of the worlds weather on the water in light air, not storms. Good weather updates are important in staying out of bad weather or no wind. I would definitely take a garmine inreach explorer+ to let love ones track you and you to be able to communicate with text messages and weather updates.

[Rogue Brit]

We started our circumnavigation eight great years ago, and we received the following advice before setting out. We think it was good advice.
1. Buy a sailboat that's 45 ft or more.
2. Spend as much time learning to be a mechanic as learning to sail.
3. Must have all standard items like chart plotter, VHF radio, auto pilot, compass, dodger, Bimini, dinghy, outboard motor.
3. Must have a water maker
4. Must have a bow thruster
5. Must have an SSB radio
6. Must have a transformer so the boat can accept 110 volts or 220/240 volts
7. Must have AIS

Solar panels are very helpful - we have 660 watts.

[AJ_n_Audrey]

As one who hopes someday to cross an ocean, though perhaps not circumnavigate, my experience in the last four years might be helpful. I bought an older, very solidly built Pearson. I learned to maintain it mostly on my own (I already knew how to sail - that's the easy part). I've done 5 Gulf Stream crossings and sailed in the Bahamas. I have found out what breaks, and I've made several key upgrades so I don't have to spend time while in the Bahamas fixing things. I've learned when to go, and, more importantly, when not to to go to sea based on weather data.

All the advice about understanding mechanical stuff on a boat is spot on. A solidly installed, reliable autopilot is critical. And I could go on and on, but really you need to spend significant time around boats. My learning was done in bits because I'm still working, but I have now accumulated over 100 days on the water with my current 36 foot boat (augmented by dinghy sailing in my younger days, and another 100+ days on my dad's Catalina 27 as a lad), and only now would I feel confident about prepping for an ocean crossing. Maybe not even yet. But the learning curve can be accelerated by intensive time spent working on boats and engines and electric / electronics.

[daletournier]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

NikolaJam If you are good at reading English there are plenty of good Sailing books on ABE books about small boat circumnavigation.
Maiden Voyage by Tania Aebi (26 feet), Trekka by John Guzzwell (21 feet) and the craziest one 500 Days by Serge Testa (12 foot). These voyages were all done pre GPS and anything fancy.
What about the blog https://schourup.net/2019/08/08/back...-in-itaparica/
They are sailing on a 28’ Great Dane and having a ball doing it.
Where’s GordMay?
Cheers

They were next to me at a marina in Salvador Brazil a couple of mths back, I remember thinking "that's a small boat for a family", I spoke to the lady , says she's really enjoying living on the boat.

[tinger]

I bought a book a long time ago, for that very reason, it's "The seaworthy offshore sailboat" by John Vigor. It has a basic checklist on the boat design and other features that should be considered if going offshore. I agree with some other posts here that you should charter a few different boats, and gain some experience first. I ended up buying a boat because it was a good deal, not going by the checklist. I've done some bluewater with mine and have complete confidence because of new mast/rigging ect, so too many options out there for the novice. I suggest going on an offshore trip using crewfinders, it may change your outlook.

[GTom]

People circumnavigated the Globe in surprisingly small boats, question what your needs are for comfort and supplies? Also, what size do you sail the best? To answer these, you need to get a few hundred or thousand miles under your belt, buy any robust 30'-er, like a Malo, Halberg-Rassy, Contessa, Westerly, Moody and start the journey. It may already be a keeper, and you carry on crossing the ponds. If not, you'll have the necessary first hand experience to pick your "real" boat.

[NikolajAM]

Thank you everybody for your answers. I bought an Albin Viggen 24 from 1975 today, and a friend of my father has promised to learn me to sail it. You all gave me some useful further reading.

[Arthurwg]

Originally Posted by StuM

Suggest you ask this question at Sailing Anarchy.

Yes. Ask for Fiji-Bitter.

[hamburking]

The most important, THE MOST IMPORTANT piece of equipment....is YOU!

People have crossed oceans in rowboats.

Having said that, here are some good boats to consider:

Westsail 32
Contessa 32
Nordica 30

Important gear would be:
Self steering (like Aries or Monitor, NOT electric autohelm)
Charts
handheld GPS
kitchen timer
Plastimo Iris 50 handheld compass

Tiller steering is preferred over wheel (its NOT a car).
Full keel, solid, heavy boat.

I suggest you read Joshua Slocum's famous book he wrote about sailing around the world alone....now what was it called?

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by NikolajAM

Thank you everybody for your answers. I bought an Albin Viggen 24 from 1975 today, and a friend of my father has promised to learn me to sail it. You all gave me some useful further reading.

you chose well!

But isn't it a 23?
https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/viggen-23-albin

I'll bet you will trade up to the Albin Vega 27 soon enough!

[Eder]

Originally Posted by Rogue Brit

We started our circumnavigation eight great years ago, and we received the following advice before setting out. We think it was good advice.
1. Buy a sailboat that's 45 ft or more.
2. Spend as much time learning to be a mechanic as learning to sail.
3. Must have all standard items like chart plotter, VHF radio, auto pilot, compass, dodger, Bimini, dinghy, outboard motor.
3. Must have a water maker
4. Must have a bow thruster
5. Must have an SSB radio
6. Must have a transformer so the boat can accept 110 volts or 220/240 volts
7. Must have AIS

Solar panels are very helpful - we have 660 watts.

Best advice so far, especially #1

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Eder

Best advice so far, especially #1

That’s interesting. The only point that I felt had ANY merit was number 2.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by GILow

That’s interesting. The only point that I felt had ANY merit was number 2.

My opinion too.