I want to sail the world - where do I start?

[MarkCX]

There was a time before I fitted my diesel heater, when I poured a drink before sleeping only to find it frozen solid in the morning. I was perfectly warm until I had to get up.

 

[Kelpie]

Heating a small boat used to be a real challenge, but IMHO the sub £100 Chinese Eberspacher clones are a game changer. Small enough to fit into almost any boat, no chimney/flue to worry about, and they can't be beaten for cost and power output. Usual caveats apply about the need to 'marinise' the exhaust side of things.

Biggest downside is the electrical draw, especially on a small boat that has an outboard motor with limited charging capacity. But if you're only going away for a few days at a time, another leisure battery might be enough.

In general, on small boats it's not so much heat that you have to worry about, but damp. It's just impossible to get away from your wet clothing etc in a tiny space, and your bedding and spare clothes will end up suffering. If you don't have heating, you have to ventilate, as it's more comfortable to live in a cold but dry space than a warmer and wetter one.

 

[capnsensible]

I have just turned 40 and have always dreamed of sailing the world, although I have no sailing experience and have very little money. Recently, I received £30,000 in legal compensation and would like to use this money to start a sailing adventure! I am currently out of work, so the time really is now. As rent is eating the little savings I have, I have given notice on my house for the end of the month and have a camper van which I will take to the road in. I will live in the camper by the side of the road, until I figure out how to begin my sailing adventure. So with this in mind what is the best way of using £30,000 to make my dream a reality? Here are some of the things I am grappling with:

1) Should I use a good chunk of this money to sign up to formal sailing courses and take exams etc? The problem is that will leave me with very little money to then buy a boat. Also I am not sure if it is really necessary, as I have read some blogs of others who have sailed on much smaller budgets than mine, and with no formal training at all. One idea others have suggested is crewing for others to gain experience, but to be fair I am quite anti social (actually I am on the Autistic spectrum) and like my own company too much! That's one of the big attractions for me with sailing , is being totally on my own. I actually enjoy my own company.

2) How much should I spend on the boat? I was thinking about £20,000 and keeping £10,000 back to support me when sailing (food, maintenance etc.) I am under no illusions that my savings won't go very far and at some point I will run out of money. When this happens I will quit the trip and get a regular job again. I am quite prepared for that and just want to make my dream a reality and see how far my money will take me.

3) I am looking for a Monohull and would ideally like a Bilge Keel, so I can rest the boat on the sand and save on marina charges during the trip. Not sure what boats people would recommend within my budget? A few names I have seen others recommend are Centaur and Colvic when on a budget.

Like I say, I don't have any experience of sailing, and my only boating experience was when I rented and lived on a river boat when I was at university 20 years ago. My maintenance / DIY skills are basic, although I do have some mechanical experience of rebuilding engines / gearboxes on a few 4x4 vehicles I have owned in the past.

Start in Tahiti. That way, when you have sailed around the world, you will be in Tahiti.

 

[laika]

Start in Tahiti. That way, when you have sailed around the world, you will be in Tahiti.

As I recall there's a fair chance of that happening if you start in Falmouth

 

[crazyguy40]

Anchoring, on the other hand, is much safer and easier. You are not tied to certain times, you will not risk being pounded to splinters if the incoming tide brings a swell, you will not face the dilemma of whether to row or walk ashore and then be left either with no dinghy, or the hassle of dragging your dinghy across the beach/mud back to the boat. In either case you face the possibility of an inaccessible shore and trying to find somewhere suitable to climb above the tide line.

Out of interest what do you do with the dinghy when anchored if not using a marina / secure place to keep it? Is theft not a concern leaving it on the shore if going for a walk / going to get food etc? I know you could find some way of chaining it, but some places / countries have a particularly bad theft problem. Actually I was reading a blog of a couple that had their dinghy stolen mid trip.

Maybe an option would be to use something like an inflatable as a dinghy, which you could carry with you. It would also have the advantage of easy storage. I have a Sevylor Riviera inflatable that is great on rivers. I have used it on the sea, but only in perfect conditions when the sea is like a pond. Therefore I don't think it would be practical to use as the only means of getting on and off the boat when not using marinas.

 

[cherod]

As I recall there's a fair chance of that happening if you start in Falmouth

where would you rather be i think was the point

 

[cherod]

so in the course of one week you have been talked into from sailing the world to river mud plugging in a tiny boat and decamping back into your trusty camper van ,,, thats a pity .

 

[Kelpie]

Out of interest what do you do with the dinghy when anchored if not using a marina / secure place to keep it? Is theft not a concern leaving it on the shore if going for a walk / going to get food etc? I know you could find some way of chaining it, but some places / countries have a particularly bad theft problem. Actually I was reading a blog of a couple that had their dinghy stolen mid trip.

Maybe an option would be to use something like an inflatable as a dinghy, which you could carry with you. It would also have the advantage of easy storage. I have a Sevylor Riviera inflatable that is great on rivers. I have used it on the sea, but only in perfect conditions when the sea is like a pond. Therefore I don't think it would be practical to use as the only means of getting on and off the boat when not using marinas.

This probably depends on location. I've cruised fairly extensively along the west coast of Scotland and parts of Ireland and it's never seriously crossed my mind that the dinghy would ever get stolen. But it's a battered old Avon that I bought for £50. If someone did make off with it, it would be more of an inconvenience than anything else. I have come close to losing it a couple of times when I was ashore longer than expected and didn't pull it high enough.
Occasionally we anchor outside of a harbour and take the dinghy in there. Means you can leave it afloat rather than hauling it up the shore or trying to find somewhere to tie it to. Probably makes it more secure as well.
In a tiny lifting keel boat you are going to be able to get very close in shore... you might get away with a pair of waders

 

[Kelpie]

so in the course of one week you have been talked into from sailing the world to river mud plugging in a tiny boat and decamping back into your trusty camper van ,,, thats a pity .

I don't think it's an either-or, or at least that wasn't what I was suggesting. The OP doesn't know how to sail, has a fixed budget, and wants to get started immediately. He was talked into buying a dinghy so that he could learn to sail over the winter, as it's realistically too late this year to set off in a yacht given the need to find one, fix it up, and learn to sail it. Buying a yacht abroad would make a great deal of sense of course.
I just suggested a dinghy with a lid might be a lot of fun, they are pretty cheap and offer a lot more cruising potential for very little extra cost and hassle. All very valuable experience before upgrading to a bigger cruising yacht.

 

[cherod]

I don't think it's an either-or, or at least that wasn't what I was suggesting. The OP doesn't know how to sail, has a fixed budget, and wants to get started immediately. He was talked into buying a dinghy so that he could learn to sail over the winter, as it's realistically too late this year to set off in a yacht given the need to find one, fix it up, and learn to sail it. Buying a yacht abroad would make a great deal of sense of course.
I just suggested a dinghy with a lid might be a lot of fun, they are pretty cheap and offer a lot more cruising potential for very little extra cost and hassle. All very valuable experience before upgrading to a bigger cruising yacht.

i was not picking at you specifically , a few other people have also advised on that type of thing ,,,,, i actually advised him that i had ( seemingly ) the perfect solution to his "op " of " sailing the world " ( no personal involvment , just something i know of ) , offered him to PM me , he didnt , tbh i am not sure if he is serious or if it is just a wind up .

 

[john_morris_uk]

Out of interest what do you do with the dinghy when anchored if not using a marina / secure place to keep it? Is theft not a concern leaving it on the shore if going for a walk / going to get food etc? I know you could find some way of chaining it, but some places / countries have a particularly bad theft problem. Actually I was reading a blog of a couple that had their dinghy stolen mid trip.

Maybe an option would be to use something like an inflatable as a dinghy, which you could carry with you. It would also have the advantage of easy storage. I have a Sevylor Riviera inflatable that is great on rivers. I have used it on the sea, but only in perfect conditions when the sea is like a pond. Therefore I don't think it would be practical to use as the only means of getting on and off the boat when not using marinas.

No dinghy of any size and durability that is realistically worth using as a tender is going to be small enough and light enough to deflate and carry around.

Most cruising sailors either padlock their dinghy with a long stainless wire or decide it’s not likely to be stolen and trust to luck.

 

[crazyguy40]

so in the course of one week you have been talked into from sailing the world to river mud plugging in a tiny boat and decamping back into your trusty camper van ,,, thats a pity .

I have not been talked out of anything. I asked about the best way forward, and given my budget and lack of experience, the consensus seems to be that a dinghy or Micro Cruiser is the way to go. I have to start somewhere and it seems a good starting place with minimal initial cost. It's something I can also do straight away. I don't think there is any lack of ambition on my part. I have already started taking positive steps (such as giving my tenancy up) to ensure that my savings are preserved. Spending a few days a week in a camper and a few days a week on a boat will also allow me to try the lifestyle out with zero financial risk.

 

[cherod]

first off,,, good luck with whatever you choose
but ,, river plugging for a few days and decamping back into you bolthole camper van is nothing like and will hardly give you a minimum nor basic idea of what living and travelling / cruising on a decent sizes boat is like . Your budget is fine for a few years on a decent boat , managed properly / frugally , after that is up to you ... you mention " lack of experience " ,, what is it that makes you think the boaty thing is a good idea or for you ? i would imagine you must have had some experience along the way to kindle some interest ,,,, so just get a decent boat and go and do it ,, it is not that hard !! enjoy ,,,,,,,,,,,,, and as i said before, i know of a seemingly excellent " turn key " opportunity which could be perfect for you ( tho may not still be available ) . if you want details then PM me ,, btw,, i have absolutely no connection , involvement nor interest , i just know about it ,,,

 

[Seastoke]

I have not been talked out of anything. I asked about the best way forward, and given my budget and lack of experience, the consensus seems to be that a dinghy or Micro Cruiser is the way to go. I have to start somewhere and it seems a good starting place with minimal initial cost. It's something I can also do straight away. I don't think there is any lack of ambition on my part. I have already started taking positive steps (such as giving my tenancy up) to ensure that my savings are preserved. Spending a few days a week in a camper and a few days a week on a boat will also allow me to try the lifestyle out with zero financial risk.

I think that is the right decision , but you have to keep up some standards ie clean clothes showering or you will be classed as a tramp.

 

[FlyingGoose]

Love your story and attitude, my story is similar , although my compensation was 500000 so a little larger got our boat 3 years ago at 46 , and just went for it , we are on a 5 year plan so 2 to go before were off , spent 3 years sailing all over scotland no large yatch experience but got some RYA online courses vhf etc and go,
It is always possible and it can happen just waiting for the wife to finish her scientific work then were off
Read plenty books go onto youtube and watch others , keep the dream alive and do not listen to the name sayers
Any advice keep asking on the forums not a bad bunch of fellows

 

[Seastoke]

first off,,, good luck with whatever you choose
but ,, river plugging for a few days and decamping back into you bolthole camper van is nothing like and will hardly give you a minimum nor basic idea of what living and travelling / cruising on a decent sizes boat is like . Your budget is fine for a few years on a decent boat , managed properly / frugally , after that is up to you ... you mention " lack of experience " ,, what is it that makes you think the boaty thing is a good idea or for you ? i would imagine you must have had some experience along the way to kindle some interest ,,,, so just get a decent boat and go and do it ,, it is not that hard !! enjoy ,,,,,,,,,,,,, and as i said before, i know of a seemingly excellent " turn key " opportunity which could be perfect for you ( tho may not still be available ) . if you want details then PM me ,, btw,, i have absolutely no connection , involvement nor interest , i just know about it ,,,

Cherod you should not be saying its easy , go for it its some ones life here .

 

[BurnitBlue]

To put it simply, you start where you intend to finish.

 

[cherod]

To put it simply, you start where you intend to finish.

I am not quite sure what you mean by that , if i wanted to finish where i am starting then i wouldnt bother starting

 

[cherod]

Cherod you should not be saying its easy , go for it its some ones life here .

Do not let your own limitations limit those of others

 

[MarkCX]

There is an argument for having at least a certain amount of skill/knowledge before setting out for the great blue yonder. Sailing can have very real and terminal risks, especially without proper preparation - I’m sure the OP understands this.

If they use the winter to pick up some boaty skills, get some sailing done, a bit of reading & internet research, then bigger plans can unfold next year.

So yes, ‘go for it’ Is a good attitude, but tempered with good preparation and common sense.