Which sailboat should you choose for a solo, double or family round-the-world trip?
The choice of a sailboat for a round-the-world trip often depends first and foremost on the number of people who will be on board. Whether it's maneuverability for a small crew, volume, space, comfort or privacy for a family or several couples, it's crucial to choose the length and configuration of your round-the-world sailboat according to the number of people who will be on board. Each crew configuration has its own requirements in terms of size, space and comfort.
A sailboat for a solo round-the-world trip
Sailing alone means first and foremost choosing a sailboat that's easy to handle, both at sea and in port. A 40 to 45-foot boat is recommended. The Garcia Exploration 45 features reasonable sail areas, and the cutter sail plan with furling system makes maneuvering even easier. With the centreboarder up, the boat is smoother on downwind points of sail, and thanks to its twin rudders, puts less strain on the autopilot, essential for a solo sailor. We also appreciate the ease of movement and the number of handrails for safety.
A sailboat for a round-the-world trip for two
For two people, you might consider a slightly larger yacht, between 40 and 50 feet, offering greater comfort without compromising ease of manoeuvring. The size will depend on the number of people you plan to invite to your stopovers. A Garcia Exploration 52, for example, offers different port aft cabin configurations, with single, removable double or permanent double berths. You'll also gain space in the saloon and cockpit to better accommodate family and friends.
Sailboat for a round-the-world family trip
If you're planning a family round-the-world trip, you'll want at least 3 cabins, so that everyone has their own comfort and a little privacy. In that case, you'll opt for a 50 to 60-foot yacht, or even a catamaran. You need more sleeping space, but also more stowage space, for your personal belongings, but also for supplies for several weeks at a time. Choose a Garcia Exploration 52, available in 2 or 3 cabins, or theExploration 60 in 3 or 4 cabins. If you're setting sail with young children, you'll particularly appreciate the deck saloon, which offers short descents with few steps. Another advantage of this configuration is that, when sailing, the saloon can be transformed into a double berth, making it an ideal living space for children, well secured and at the heart of the living area, but without disrupting the flow of traffic. The Garcia's well-protected cockpits, with their closed sterns, will also reassure parents.
A sailboat for a round-the-world trip with a crew
Some of you, for greater peace of mind, will decide to set off with the help of a skipper or a dedicated crew member. In this case, we'll be looking at boats offering interior configurations with a dedicated cabin, often a little removed from the central life of the boat, and with its own privacy. The Garcia Exploration 60 , for example, offers a cabin under the saloon, ideally positioned in the center of the boat. And a Garcia Explocat 52, in a 4-cabin configuration, can also accommodate a crew.
Round-the-world sailing: what characteristics should you take into account when choosing your boat?
monohull or multihull?
Is it a rational choice? There are enthusiasts on both sides. Objectively speaking, a monohull is simpler to handle, easier to slip in and out of... A catamaran undeniably offers more volume, and above all surface area: living area, cockpit surface area. But the sensations at sea are different. The choice really depends on your approach and sensations.
Keelboat or centreboarder ?
When we sail around the world, we often dream of the beaches of the Grenadines, the lagoons of the Bahamas or the Pacific. The centreboarder offers an indisputable advantage: the ability to get as close to the shore as possible, when keelboats have to stay further away, in the midst of the crowds of other sailboats. The centreboarder also offers unrivalled comfort at sea, especially when the daggerboard is raised on downwind courses, which are the most common on a round-the-world trip through the tropics.
Composite or aluminium ?
Here, too, there are the convincing arguments for each material. While there are many composite sailboats sailing around the globe,aluminium's unrivalled strength makes it an obvious choice for a round-the-world program. In the event of impact, it bends but does not break. And above and beyond the safety it provides, it is above all a real psychological comfort, bringing serenity to the crew.
A sailboat for extreme latitudes?
If you're planning to visit Svalbard, Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica or make the Northwest Passage, you need a sailboat designed for the job.aluminium is a must when it comes to tackling ice. Thermal insulation, combined with double glazing and radiator heating, as on a Garcia Exploration, will bring you another dimension of comfort. The deck saloon allows you to watch from inside when conditions are too cold or too rough.
Meeting the technical challenge of a round-the-world trip: the obvious advantages of an aluminium centreboarder
To sail around the world, you need a sailboat in which you have total confidence. A sailboat that can withstand all wind and sea conditions. Comfort on board is also essential, for long periods of life aboard. Visit Garcia Yachts are ideal for round-the-world sailing. Sturdy, with their aluminium hull , they are extremely safe. centreboarders, they are very comfortable at sea and can reach shallow anchorages. Their insulated, double-glazed interior is ideal for extreme temperatures. And their deck saloon configuration, with 270° views, makes it possible to keep watch from inside, whatever the weather conditions.
Equipment & services: from must-haves to nice-to-haves
The essentials for sailing around the world
For a round-the-world trip, even with a crew, autopilot is highly recommended. As Garcia Exploration boats are double rudders, the boat is better controlled and the pilot is less stressed. Even if the Garcia Exploration boats have large water tanks, a Watermaker means that water use is less constrained, and you can be sure of the quality of your water, which is not always guaranteed in certain regions. In terms of electrical autonomy, Solar panels are the ideal solution for recharging batteries.
The "nice to haves" you won't want to do without
If you're planning to visit cold countries, heating is obviously essential. At Garcia Yachts you can also choose water radiator heating, which provides gentle, even heat. Depending on the type of equipment you want on board, in addition to the Solar panels, you can choose to install an electric generator for even greater autonomy. Then there's the question of Internet connection... Are you planning to cut yourself off from the world, or do you want to be able to check the weather at all times? The choice is yours...
Make your round-the-world sailing project a reality
They did it
Many sailors have made their dreams come true with a Garcia sailboat. Read their testimonials on our blog:
Your world tour with Garcia
The Garcia Exploration 45, 52 and 60 models are designed to meet the demands of blue water cruising. Discover our sailboats and make your project a reality today!
