Blog – Page 10 – Sail Vietnam

These days, can you sail around the World? What about in a comfortable catamaran? Circumnavigation might conjure images of huge ships, but can you really make the trip around the world in a catamaran? Yes! A well-equipped catamaran can easily sail around the world. Especially if your boat is equipped for offshore cruising and has a heavy load capacity. Most modern catamarans are well-balanced and large enough for multiple crew and their supplies. They're also fast and sail smoothly, making them an excellent choice for long voyages. Sailing a catamaran on a trip around the world can be very rewarding. This is true whether you're going solo, with a partner, or a whole crew. In this article, I will give you the information you need to start planning your voyage. After reading this, you will know enough to have more confidence to cross one ocean or all of them. Let's get sailing! Why Are Catamarans Good on Long Voyages? Nearly everything. The way catamarans are designed makes them great for long trips. The two-hulls design makes them more stable. They have lower water resistance (called "drag"). As a result, catamarans don't produce as much of a wake. Ultimately, this makes them much harder to capsize, even in rough water. Not only that, catamarans are very fast and easy to handle. The dual engines make maneuvering much easier in ports. If you're sailing around the world, you'll be stopping in lots of ports. Because catamarans are both lightweight and have less water resistance, they can travel incredibly fast in strong wind. Pick the Right Catamaran Catamarans come in many sizes and are equipped for different types of sailing. Boats designed short trips close to shore are built very differently from long-haul ships that cruise the open ocean. To sail around the world, you will need a strong design. This means you want to choose your catamaran carefully. Size Really Does Matter The smaller the catamaran is, the smaller the base is, and the easier it is to capsize. For this reason, a larger boat is safer for offshore sailing. The smallest catamaran I would recommend for a worldwide trip is forty feet. However, smaller boats can work if you hug the shore. Don't be afraid of the size of your catamaran. Even large boats are easy to sail with a small crew (or on your own) these days. The modern navigational tools and automated systems allow you to operate much larger boats with a small crew or even by yourself. However, long journeys can be lonely alone, you may consider taking a friend for companionship. Inshore vs. Offshore Know the difference between Inshore and Offshore boats. You'll want a an offshore catamaran for sailing the world. Offshore catamarans are stronger boats. You will not be as comfortable on an inshore boat. Offshore catamarans will have better sails for cruising open waters and more comfortable living arrangements for long travel. You do not want an inshore boat for sailing the world. Inshore boats are made more for fishing close to shore or leisure boating. This is because they are not designed for long travel or the open ocean. Larger boats are safer in the open ocean. You will want a large boat. And you will want to match the size of your boat with the size of your crew. Too large a group on a smaller boat might start feeling too small. By that time, it may be too late to change. Weight and Speed Long voyages should be fun. Fun usually means going faster. That means it's important to consider your boat's weight. Longer hulls mean faster speeds. Also, lighter boats are faster. Lighter cats use netting instead of fiberglass, smaller engines and smaller cabins. Because of this, I would recommend that you do your own research. Sailing Alone vs. Crew It is possible for one person to sail most modern catamarans single-handed. Automated controls and furling sails mechanisms make it possible to complete many sailing tasks on your own. While it's possible to sail single-handed, it's much safer to travel with at least one companion in case of emergency. Therefore, you should consider sailing with at least a crew of one other person. On the other hand, weeks at sea can be a long time to be alone. Whether you need their help or not, a crew can be a welcome bit of social contact. With two hulls, catamarans have multiple berths with privacy. Next, if you choose a crew, pick the right crew. You'll be sharing tight quarters and intense times with the people on your boat. Be sure they know you and you trust them. Once you have begun, you are more-or-less committed to the trip. That said, it may be possible to take on extra crew for just some legs of the trip, and not the whole journey. For any around-the-globe voyage, you'll need to make stops along the way to restock provisions, make repairs, or even visit places onshore. In other words, you can make changes to your crew at these stops if it isn't working out. Atlantic Racing for Cruisers Upset by Catamaran In fact, at the 2019 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, multi-hulls have moved from a "also ran" to the "winner", replacing the traditional sailboats in this prestigious race. A catamaran sailed by four people in their sixties beat a larger racing sailboat designed for round-the-world sailing with a crew of 15. As a result of this win by amateurs, the racing world may be changed forever. Tools for Sailing Around the World Store Enough Provisions Water is essential. A "watermaker" or water desalination and filtration system will minimize the amount of fresh water you have to store and carry. This will help keep your boat lighter and faster. You need to store food. A freezer or fridge for storing food will help make your journey comfortable. Catamarans equipped with good kitchen appliances make it easier to pack your provisions. You need Power. You will need power for your appliances, either generators or solar. In the past, this used to mean generators. Not any more. Today more and more catamarans are using solar panels for power. Because solar is getting cheaper and batteries are getting stronger, electric is replacing wind power. You can catch fish along the way. The smooth sailing of a catamaran means you'll have opportunity for some deep-sea fishing. This can be fun and a good source of protein. This means you don't have to store all of your food before you leave port. Navigation and Boat Tech Sailing around the world, alone or with a small crew leaves you with limited options. You cannot just ask someone to come repair a faulty switch or failing engine part. You will need to do it yourself. However, it doesn't have to be difficult. Repair manuals and user guides for your equipment are important, especially if you added it yourself. The same for any literature or guides that came with the boat when you purchased it. Being out on the ocean is when things break. But that's to be expected. You can learn as you go and you usually have lots of time. In other words, be prepared. Navigation is essential. Because of this, you will want radar, satellite imagery maps, and other aids are crucial. Similarly, you'll want to have "windfinder" and other methods for checking the weather to avoid storms and rough waters. Additionally, some of these are already on your smartphone. Catamarans are well protected from wind and rain, but it's always better steer away from storms when you can. As a result, navigation aids will be welcome on your trip. In addition, cats are fast and these storms bring lots of wind. How Big is Enough for You to Sail Around the World? There is a trade-off between being too small and too big. Generally inshore catamarans are smaller, but not always. Likewise, offshore catamarans are stronger and larger. Also, larger cats have a smoother ride. Because of this, I recommend a mid to larger size boat. How big a cat do you need? When I began this research, I had never been on a cat before, let alone sailed on one. All my decisions were based on what I had read online. I read everything I could find and I plunged in. I have learned a lot. For instance, writing this website has helped me apply what I have learned. Some Pro’s and Cons of size Smaller Inshore catamarans are great for hugging the shore. You get some great views, meet the local people and generally know exactly where you are. As a result, you can take your time and enjoy the ride. Alternatively, Offshore catamarans will get you where you're going faster and with a more direct route. This can be an advantage if you are in a hurry. Because of this, you will have more options for choosing your route. However, this gives you more choices. Some advantages of size ComfortStabilitySpeedBridge clearance Some disadvantages of size The initial costMaintenance costsCost of berthing in a marinaEase of handling Why a 40ft Catamaran? Tim Weston built his own catamaran. He decided on a 40ft (12m) catamaran for his journey around the world. He said "it was the right decision, for me and if I replayed my story, I would choose a 40ft cat again.... For me, 40ft (12m), is a good round number, for a minimum size for living aboard and extended ocean cruising.... I never felt unsafe on the ocean. With a 40ft boat on the sea, I feel like I am on something half serious." Why a 50ft Catamaran? His friend who upgraded from a 40ft (12m) to a 50ft (15m) catamaran said, “they were worlds apart on the water.... You didn’t even notice bad weather [on the 50ft boat]”. Conclusions Catamarans are designed for comfort and speed. The extra room of a catamaran means added comfort. A well-equipped catamaran can sail around the World and be a wonderful adventure. In other words, I recommend you follow your dream. Modern catamarans are designed for comfortable and safe voyages. The larger catamarans can sail across as many oceans you want to explore. Whether you're going solo or taking a crew, a catamaran is a great choice for sailing around the world. There are only a few limitations on size. You will have fewer (and more costly) options for hauling your wider catamaran out of the water, you will pay higher fees in a marina, and they will cost more for the initial purchase, maintenance, insurance and upkeep. However, these may be worth it, especially for the daring. In conclusion, after reading everything I could find on this subject, I would choose a larger catamaran to sail around the World. Catamarans can easily tolerate both high waves and shallow water. They offer comfort and more stability, both in calm and rough weather. They have more headroom inside and better views outside. Randy Sources: https://www.timwestonboats.com/catamaran-size-ocean-sailing/ https://www.yachtingworld.com/sailing-across-atlantic/catamaran-sailing-multihulls-arc-126773