What is the best sub-100' boat to circumnavigate the world?

Question

I've always talked about taking a boat around the world. I'd like to start doing more research on the subject. Does anyone know good websites or books that talk about how someone might do this? As a good starting point, I'd like to understand what boats might be best for this adventure. Big enough for my family & a captain. & hopefully some friends to visit. yet not insanely big, as i don't have the pocket $$s to manage a Larry Elison type rig. I also like the idea of a "hybrid" boat that could sale with good wind or motor when none.

Answer 1

There are three ways to go about this.  You could get a motorsailor like the Marine Trader-Island Trader-Hardin type.  These are high freeboard sailboats with trawler engines.  (Typically the ubiquitous Ford Lehman 80 or 120HP)You could also go with a large sailboat (55-65 foot)That would be more like the Nautors, Swans, Hylas's, Palmer Johnsons, Island Packetts, or Perini Navi's.  The third choice would be a pure trawler.  Most of them are powered by the same Ford Lehman diesels used by the motorsailor class.  Of the trawlers, the most popular are the Cheoy Lees, Grand Banks, Hadley-Krogen and Nordhaven.  They sometimes carry a riding sail, but that is more for stability rather than an auxillary sail.  A subclass of these is the Tug style but you would be limited in the number of people you could take comfortably in such a design for the same given waterline length as a trawler.  All of them are capable of circumnavigations, it is a matter of your personal taste.  Now to let you in on a dirty little secret.  Of all the boats currently circumnavigating the globe, most are 40 feet and under.  Most are handled by an owner and spouse with one or two children.  Most are doing this on less than $1,000.00 a month.  It has been said in the industry that there are more Catalina 30s roaming the oceans than the Popular and expensive Swans.  These people of course have a lot of sailing experience but they are doing it nonetheless. I have cruised the Gulf Coast of Florida extensively in everything from a Hobie 16 (wild college days) to a 41 foot Islander Freeport Motorsailor (When I worked in the corporate world.  My current sailboat is a Precision 18 and my wife and I regularly cruise the 150 miles between Mobile Bay and Panama City.   All of them had their good points and their bad points.  No boat is perfect.  All you can hope for is that you find one that has less disadvantages than advantages.  It would behoove you to contact a Licensed Yacht Broker that specializes in Trawlers or Sailboats, or both.  A reputable one can help guide you through the selection process and weed out the ones that don't fit your wants and needs.  I wish you luck in your endeavor, and hope this helps answer your question.

Answer 2

Here are a few good sites to get you started.   At sailnet.com you can begin to make contacts with other cruisers and learn a great deal from the experience of others.  Also look for books about the cruising lifestyle.  Second hand book stores in areas where there are marinas will often have some, and also check the book section at West Marine stores.  Get to know your local marinas and begin to ask questions and notice things there.  Best of luck with your plans.  Living aboard is a great life.

Answer 3

The one you can afford.