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

[crazyguy40]

You've got a strange idea about beaching. It's a novelty, not a genuine alternative to anchoring or berthing somewhere.

I suppose I do have a strange idea! One of my neighbours where I used to live spent 250k on a boat and was convinced he was going to beach all the time and not pay one penny in marina fees. He was a bit of an eccentric chap with pots of money, but could be very tight as well. He was always very proud of never paying a TV license in his life and never paying a parking ticked! He was 70 years of age, had never sailed in his life, but was determined to teach himself and sail to the Caribbean. I always wondered what happened to him, but I think I got the beaching idea from him.

 

[Bajansailor]

Here is a search I did on Yachtworld for boats along the Eastern Seaboard of the USA and the Gulf of Mexico - under 35' in length, and under GBP 20,000.

(Sail) Boats For Sale

And here is a typical example of what might arrive in the Caribbean and then her owner's circumstances change, and they have to 'sell up' and return to dry land - this 27' Scandinavian built double-ended long keel cruiser has an asking price of GBP 14,343, but I wouldn't be surprised if she eventually sells for much less than this
1978 Sloop Allegro 27 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale -

 

[crazyguy40]

Your £20,000 will get you an ok enough boat maybe even with change to spare. Your £10,000 isn't really enough though when you add upgrades, and maintenance, plus living costs. ideally you'd need a steady income whilst sailing, or you'll end up bare foot, with unwashed hair, and torn clothes like I see of so many live-aboard sailors that seemingly lost their way

I am pretty much bare foot with torn clothes already! I know 10k won't last long, but when my money runs out I will quit sailing and get a regular job. It's something I am prepared for and am under no illusions that sailing won't be a way of life for long. I have to say, before I started my research I thought sailing was only for very wealthy people. But what gives me hope are some blogs I have read from people who have done what I want to do on much less than 30k.

Out of interest do you live on your boat full time and how do you balance keeping the boat in the water with work?

 

[Mudisox]

Here is a search I did on Yachtworld for boats along the Eastern Seaboard of the USA and the Gulf of Mexico - under 35' in length, and under GBP 20,000.

(Sail) Boats For Sale

And here is a typical example of what might arrive in the Caribbean and then her owner's circumstances change, and they have to 'sell up' and return to dry land - this 27' Scandinavian built double-ended long keel cruiser has an asking price of GBP 14,343, but I wouldn't be surprised if she eventually sells for much less than this
1978 Sloop Allegro 27 Sail New and Used Boats for Sale -

And the Allegro has a talking engine which will keep you sane? .... well maybe.

 

[HissyFit]

And the Allegro has a talking engine which will keep you sane? .... well maybe.

I couldn't get on with a square steering wheel.

 

[crazyguy40]

this 27' Scandinavian built double-ended long keel cruiser has an asking price of GBP 14,343, but I wouldn't be surprised if she eventually sells for much less than this

It looks a really nice boat, but then again I know noting about boats! You say it could potentially go for much less - would it be realistic to get something like this for 10K?

 

[Kelpie]

I suppose I do have a strange idea! One of my neighbours where I used to live spent 250k on a boat and was convinced he was going to beach all the time and not pay one penny in marina fees. He was a bit of an eccentric chap with pots of money, but could be very tight as well. He was always very proud of never paying a TV license in his life and never paying a parking ticked! He was 70 years of age, had never sailed in his life, but was determined to teach himself and sail to the Caribbean. I always wondered what happened to him, but I think I got the beaching idea from him.

Perhaps he had an aversion to dinghies and/or anchoring?

(Personally, I have an aversion to marinas, which is why I hardly ever use them!)

 

[PilotWolf]

I couldn't get on with a square steering wheel.

My parents had a greyish one with a red? interior.

Drove it for several years after passing my test. Until some idiot forced me off the road and into a telegraph pole.

W

 

[Seastoke]

Your biggest problem is ,yourself and covid 19 , you need to be taught to sail and if you dont like people its going to be hard, also covid is holding back. I also think people saying you can get a thirty foot boat and just head across the Atlantic is not good advice.

 

[Gwylan]

Give away half your money and sleep under a railway arch for the winter.

If you find that to your liking then spend the rest of your money on a boat and keep the sleeping bag.
Because there is no pain or discomfort that can really prepare you for full time sailing.

Unless you win the lottery and money ceases too be an issue

Jaded cynical? Moi?

 

[crazyguy40]

you need to be taught to sail and if you dont like people its going to be hard.

I am very tempted to do what Billyo suggested and go the the dinghy route and see what I can learn through that. I have looked at the RYA competent crew course, but it does involve sailing with others and from a social situation I would find that challenging. I could probably cope with just a one on one with an instructor, but I guess I would be paying a lot of money for that? Like I say, I am on the Austic spectrum, but it has never stopped me from travelling and I love being in nature / solitude.

 

[cherod]

If you really are serious then PM me , i know of something that might be right down your street , right now , Forget all the training waste of valuable money stuff and the cov-antics nonsense

 

[Bajansailor]

It looks a really nice boat, but then again I know noting about boats! You say it could potentially go for much less - would it be realistic to get something like this for 10K?

I wouldn't be surprised if this boat sells (eventually) for maybe half the asking price - or less even.
It depends very much on how desperate the owner is to sell.

I think that this Seawind ketch might be a better bet - and she will also probably sell for a fair bit less than her asking price.
They say that she has a fairly new Yanmar diesel which is nice..
31′ Allied Seawind

Edit - despite lots of potentially alluring boats for sale in far flung low latitudes on the other side of the Atlantic, I would agree with others on here that your best bet would be to learn how to sail in a dinghy first.
Maybe even do a weekend introduction course at one of the sailing schools. You still have about 6 weeks before winter really starts with a vengeance.

 

[nortada]

Hi Crazy,

Not wishing to pour cold water on your idea but I think you need to do a lot more research before taking any actions which could be almost impossible to reverse.

Rather busy at the moment but I will PM you in the near future with some thoughts.

In the meantime, Liveaboard Link is a backwater, visited by only a few so you may get a bigger/broader response if you reposted this thread in Scuttlebutt.

Best of luck with your adventure and keep in touch.

 

[crazyguy40]

despite lots of potentially alluring boats for sale in far flung low latitudes on the other side of the Atlantic, I would agree with others on here that your best bet would be to learn how to sail in a dinghy first.

I think that is what I am going to do, but thanks for highlighting some boats It gives me a rough idea of what I can expect for the money. From a logical point of view, starting with small steps does make sense, but then there is a part of me that admires others who have jumped right in. It amazes me how some people in their early 20s with no sailing experience and very little money have just purchased a boat and hit the water.

 

[grumpygit]

I think that is what I am going to do, but thanks for highlighting some boats It gives me a rough idea of what I can expect for the money. From a logical point of view, starting with small steps does make sense, but then there is a part of me that admires others who have jumped right in. It amazes me how some people in their early 20s with no sailing experience and very little money have just purchased a boat and hit the water.

You've probably decided on the best route from the best advice. You didn't say what part of the world you are, there are some cheapies on the basement site of Gumtree that may suit your pocket.

 

[Wansworth]

People who probably just jump straight in have a backstory,either been in the marines or merchant navy,some connection and years ag there was not internet to consult,it was do or die and you couldn’t write a blog about it before you had left the dock?

 

[Kelpie]

How much does your sailing location/destination matter to you? It could make an enormous difference to how you go about this.
E.g. get a cheap boat, hop along the coast choosing your weather careful, and learn as you go. You'll never be far from safety and won't have to do all that sleepless singlehanding. Probably a quicker way to learn than shelling out on courses, but you will learning from your mistakes, so there will be ups and downs along the way.

 

[crazyguy40]

How much does your sailing location/destination matter to you?

Ultimately I would like to sail to Cape Verde and cross the Atlantic, but am under no pressure to rush anything. My only hard limit is the amount of cash I have. At the end of the month I can pretty much go anywhere, as I will be living in my camper by the side of the road. I don't have a job and don't have any personal ties. I speak to my family, but am not very close, and probably only see them once a year at Christmas. I don't have any close friends either. So really, I have no ties at all, but my budget dictates everything.

 

[scruff]

A easy start for you may be to buy a boat in the Med - spend a season or two learning the ropes in the sun & easy sailing then take off chasing the sunset across the Atlantic when you're ready.

A boat like this Countess 33 looks like it could be great value (no connection to the seller) and the design would happily take you round the world once ready, providing standing rigging / sails / running rigging / engine were all sound.