How To Sail Around The World?

How much money does it cost to sail around the world?

• I would like to circumnavigate the world once I am able to afford to skipper my own vessel :) Realistically how much money does it cost to sail around the world? I do not want to ...show more

• Answer:

  I would love to be able to simply give you a quick and easy answer, but it's a very difficult thing to do for someone else. First of all - your questions: 1. Is it realistic to plan on mooring somewhere for an extended period of time and then visit a new country? Certainly. While the time a sailor spends in one place varies, most of us do exactly that. I am a voyager with a heaping helping of wanderlust. I can't stay in one place too long. A good dinghy and "anchoring out" is the key to free cruising. Of all the places I have been, I have never had to pay for a mooring. Safe free anchorages are marked and noted on charts, also on your GPS navigational system, and in Cruising Guides - that's where you will find the most long-distance cruisers. 2. Do most island chains allow anchorage mostly anywhere? Most do, In fact most Islands and Cays have s wurprisingly huge amount of absolutely nothing to offer but a safe anchorage. No fuel, no fresh water, no provisions, no people. There are a few "private" Islands, several in fact owned by Cruise Lines that won't let you stay (without an emergency). But these are also well marked. For the most part, finding safe anchorages near places you want to go is never a problem if you plan ahead accordingly - Most of the more beautiful Islands and Cays you will visit will have no people or services what-so-ever. 3. Fees: Yes, you will have dock fees at marinas, mooring fees in mooring fields - but all of these are avoidable by anchoring out nearby. I only stay at a Marina when I need to get lots of provisions and do laundry. Otherwise, I anchor out and dinghy in. Most everywhere you go, including Marinas, townships, public docks, parks, etc have free dinghy docks. Panama Canal Transit by Sailboat is $850 refundable deposit + $650 fee Suez Canal Transit by Sailboat is $800 refundable deposit + $600 fee. I would not go through the Suez Canal for several reasons - first, Christmas Island, Cape Town S. Africa, and Banana Island are well worth the visit. . . all three, a highlight of my voyage. You will also avoid the pirate problems in Somilia. . The Caribbean, Greece, have similiar cruising fees, each have 30, 60, 90 day permits with an optional 1 year cruising period. Fee include a $60 customs clearing fee to another $60 30 days stay to $300 for the 1 year cruising permit with in and out privileges. Most all other places you will want, and or permitted to go, will be free. Here is an important link: https://step.state.gov/step/ The US Dept of State provides a "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program" it is a free service to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your voyage so that the Department of State can assist you with travel advisories and help you in an emergency. They also tell you all about any special Passport Visas you need, vaccination requirement, and keep you posted of what countries you can visit as well and those you can not. I am by choice a very frugal voyager. My living a-board and voyaging philosophy is simple - I would rather spend all my money on me, with the ones I love, doing the things I want that excite and energize my life. vs spending my money on boat and boat related expenses. So, my advice is always to "go small as your comfort will allow, and keep it simple. I live very comfortably on less then $15,000 a year averaging 10,000 miles a year, Most voyaging "couples" I meet are doing it on much less. Sailing around the world is NOT the "rich & famous" lifestyle most people believe it is. I am forever amazed at the small and most humble of vessels I see most everywhere I go. They out number the "yachts" 1,000 to 1. Just remember this: 1. For every 10,000 dreamers, it is the "dream boat" that is the "dream buster". You can easily do this in a vessel that cost less then $30,000 (if you look hard and want to). 2. DON"T make the mistake of viewing your boat as your "home on the water". View it as your suitcase that just happens to have a bed and a head. The link below covers an awful lot about what you can expect in regards to living a-board and cruising on a long-term, long-distance basis.