How to Sail Around the World

Sailing around the world is an adventure of a lifetime. The constant movement, the changing winds and waters and the people you'll meet along the way comprise an incredible experience. If you have always wanted to sail around the world but have been overwhelmed by the prospect, simply follow these steps to get started with an around the world trip.

Plan your route. The route you take to sail around the world will be one of the most important factors of the trip. Take into account prevailing wind patterns, average temperatures, the distance between stops and any out of the ordinary expenses, such as crossing the Suez or Panama Canal.

Figure out your personal logistics. Very few non-professional sailors sail around the world in less than a year. In fact, most cruisers take two or three years to complete the trip. This means that you will need to figure out how to finance your trip (and your life) for the duration of the journey, as well as how to stay in contact with friends and family who will be worrying. Also consider health insurance and any ongoing land-based financial obligations you have.

Get your boat ship-shape. Sailing around the world is almost nothing like sailing along a coast or on a bay. You need to know how to provision the boat for long hauls and fix literally every piece of equipment on board. You also need to make sure the boat is ocean-worthy and that it is equipped with an auto-pilot, a freshwater maker, solar panels to charge batteries and backup GPS and communications systems.

Join rallies and convoys whenever you can. Joining a rally to cross an ocean or large body of water is not only more fun but also considerably more safe. While you'll have other vessels around you in cases of emergency, the chances are that you will never see more than a couple of boats during the whole crossing. So, find rallies such as the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers or the Trans-Pacific Racing Rally to add an element of safety and socialization to your around the world sailing trip.