Planning a voyage around the world on water is a daunting task, where every detail matters. Choosing the right vessel becomes the foundation on which to build the safety of the entire expedition and the comfort of the crew. The wrong boat can turn a dream into a dangerous challenge, where the fight for survival becomes a priority.
There are many factors that influence the decision, from the intended route and weather conditions to the budget and the experience of the captain. Seaworthiness And autonomy is the two pillars that any long-distance swimmer relies on, and there are no service centers in the ocean, so reliability comes to the fore.
In this article, we will discuss the main types of boats suitable for long voyages, and discuss the technical nuances of their operation, you will learn what to look for when buying or building to ensure that your boat withstands storms and calm.
Criteria for the selection of a boat for ocean crossings
The first thing to determine before buying or building is the type of sailing, will it be calm crossings between islands or harsh high latitudes? Resilience The vessel directly affects its ability to withstand the waves and not to turn over in sharp rolls. For circumnavigation, it is critical that the boat can return to normal position on its own after a strong gust of wind.
The second key is buoyancy and payload capacity, you have to bring thousands of miles of water, fuel, provisions and spare parts, and an overloaded boat loses its rideability and becomes more vulnerable to water. Displacement It should be calculated based on the full load, not just the weight of the empty case.
The third aspect is field-repairability: Complex composite materials can be durable, but repairing them in a lost atoll bay is almost impossible without special equipment. Simple and proven solutions often prove to be more efficient than high-tech but capricious systems.
- 🌊 Safety margin hulls shall exceed normal standards for river or coastal vessels.
- ⚓ Availability of reliability self-system Water drainage and drainage of holds is mandatory.
- 🔧 Availability of nodes for maintenance without the need to disassemble bulkheads.
⚠️ Warning: Never neglect to calculate your buoyancy reserve. An overloaded boat loses stability faster in stormy weather than it first appears.
Types of housing: monohol vs. catamaran
The choice between a single boat and a multihull is the eternal dilemma of sailors. Monohules, or single-hull yachts and boats, are classic seaworthiness and better able to withstand the oncoming wave. They tend to have a deeper depth. balkThis provides excellent course stability when sailing or in a storm.
Catamarans and trimarans offer a very different experience, with the main advantage of having a large deck area and no roll, which greatly reduces crew fatigue, but their wide design makes them sensitive to transom wave, and in the event of rollover (which is rare but happens) it is almost impossible to return them to their original position.
For motorboat travel around the world, catamarans are often preferred because of their cost-effectiveness and stability in the parking lot, but if your route passes through areas with high storm activity, the classic monohol may be a more predictable and safe choice. Length The hull also plays a role: the longer the vessel, the softer its pitching.
Why are catamarans faster?
Catamarans have less water resistance due to narrow housings and the absence of a heavy keel, which allows higher speeds at the same engine power.
- 🛶 Monohules It provides better handling in a storm.
- 🏠 catamarans They offer more living space and comfort.
- 💰 The cost of maintaining two engines on a catamaran is higher than one on a monochole.
For a beginner planning a first round-the-world trip, a single-hull vessel 10 meters long is often a safer and more predictable choice.
Materials of the housing: aluminum, fiberglass or steel
The choice of hull material determines the longevity of the vessel and the complexity of its maintenance on the way. Fiberglass (GRP) remains the most popular material due to its corrosion resistance and ability to create complex contours, but with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and mechanical damage, it requires careful care and periodic repair of the helcoat.
Aluminum alloys The 5083 series is ideal for expedition boats, lightweight, durable and, most importantly, repairable, and if a severe breach occurs, aluminum sheets can be replaced or brewed in any workshop in the world where there is a welder, making aluminum the king of long-distance voyages to distant regions.
Steel is used less often because of its weight and tendency to corrosion, but it has phenomenal strength. The steel case will withstand a blow to floating ice or logs, which will crumble fiberglass. However, the constant fight against rust requires discipline and a stock of paints and primers on board.
| Materials | Weight. | Repairability | Resistance to impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass | Medium. | Low (requires conditions) | Low. |
| aluminum | Low. | High (welding) | Medium |
| Steel | Highly | Medium (welding/painting) | Very high. |
⚠️ Note: When choosing aluminum, make sure that all fasteners are also made of compatible materials to avoid electrochemical corrosion in salt water.
Power plant and autonomy
For a trip around the world, the reliability of an engine is more important than its power. One powerful engine that stalls in the middle of the ocean is useless. The ideal scheme for a serious boat is two independent engines with separated fuel tanks, which allows you to get to shore even if one of the systems fails completely.
The range should be calculated with a factor of 1.5 or 2 of the maximum distance between refueling stations on the route. Fuel system It should have multi-stage filtration, because the quality of fuel in third world ports often leaves much to be desired, and the presence of water and fuel separators is a prerequisite.
Solar panels, wind turbines and a powerful battery (LiFePO4) will allow you to maintain navigation and communication without the need to start the main engine often. Autopilot. Consume a significant amount of energy, so the generation must be redundant.
- ⛽ Installation of polishing filter Cleaning before each engine.
- 🔋 Reserve battery for starting the engine in case of discharge of the main.
- 🔌 Universal adapters for charging in ports of different standards.
Carry a spare fuel hose and clamps. In the tropics, rubber ages and cracks quickly, and a burst hose can leave you stranded.
Navigation and communication in the open ocean
Modern navigation is unthinkable without electronics, but relying on it alone is deadly. GPS-navigator The paper maps, the sextant and the chronometer should not be on board as museum exhibits, but as working tools that you know how to use.
Communication systems should be duplicated: satellite telephone, VHF radio station and, preferably, satellite tracking system (for example, Iridium or InmarsatIn an emergency, the ability to call for help or simply provide coordinates becomes more important than anything else.
Protecting equipment from moisture and salt is a separate topic, and even waterproof gadgets eventually fail under the influence of aggressive environments. A backup copy of all cards and software should be stored on a physically isolated medium protected from electromagnetic pulses.
⚠️ Warning: Electronics can't see reefs unless they're mapped. Visual lookout from the top fork is the most reliable way to navigate near the shore.
Equipment and safety of crew
Round the world travel is not only romantic, but also a harsh reality: a life raft, a first aid kit, flares and EPIRBs should be easily accessible but securely anchored. Security The crew is provided not only with the availability of equipment, but also regular training on its use.
Living conditions on board affect psychological well-being: the kitchen, toilet, sleeping places must be functional and safe even when pitching hard; lack of proper rest leads to mistakes, and mistakes at sea are expensive; comfort becomes an element of safety in the long run.
We need to have places to store lots of water. Desalination systems can break down, so there should always be a minimum supply of drinking water, and filtration and disinfection of water from natural sources is a life-saving skill.
☑️ Security check before exit
- 🚑 The first aid kit should be equipped taking into account the distance from medical care.
- 🛟 Life jackets should be on every crew member in a storm.
- 🔦 Lanterns and light sources shall be accessible anywhere on the boat.
Preparation of the boat for long voyage
The final stage of preparation is a thorough inspection of all systems, and the fastener must be tested for vibration, since long-term engine operation and excitement unwind even the most reliable connections. rigging (if the boat is sailing) or the mounting elements of the equipment require special attention.
You have to do full-load sea trials. A boat that behaves perfectly in port can show surprises on the wave. Check the steering wheel, gas response, water pump efficiency in real conditions. Any identified shortcomings are best addressed on shore.
Documentation and permits are boring, but necessary: boat documents, insurance, visas, import/export permits (if any) and so on should be in order. The absence of one piece of paper can lead to the detention of a boat in a foreign port indefinitely.
Where do I keep my papers?
All important documents must be scanned and stored in the cloud, and the originals are stored in a sealed package in an easily accessible but secure location.
What is the minimum length of a boat to circumnavigate the world?
The optimal length for safe ocean navigation is 10-12 meters. On smaller boats (less than 8 meters), travel is possible, but requires the highest skill and is fraught with great discomfort and risk.
Do you need special education for circumnavigation?
Formally, to enter international waters, the rights to operate a small vessel are often sufficient, but to circumnavigate the world requires deep practical skills of navigation, meteorology, repair and survival, which are acquired only by experience.
How much does it cost to prepare a boat for the world?
The cost of training is often 50-100% of the cost of the boat itself, and budgets must be laid for replacement engines, navigation, rigging, and the purchase of rescue equipment and spare parts.
Can you make a trip around the world on an inflatable boat?
Theoretically, yes, there are precedents, but inflatable boats are extremely vulnerable to puncture and have low seaworthiness in storms, a choice for extremes with a huge margin of safety and skill.