{"id":10508,"date":"2012-11-21T20:16:32","date_gmt":"2012-11-21T20:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cornellsailing.com\/2012\/11\/the-best-boats-for-globe-girdling-2\/"},"modified":"2017-06-11T16:22:44","modified_gmt":"2017-06-11T15:22:44","slug":"the-best-boats-for-globe-girdling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cornellsailing.com\/de\/2012\/11\/the-best-boats-for-globe-girdling\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Boats for Globe Girdling"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Jimmy Cornell<\/a> discusses the results of his survey on the features that make a good world cruising boat, drawing on the experience of 57 contributors to his new book World Voyage Planner<\/a>. This article was published in the July 2012 issue of Cruising World<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Over the years, I\u2019ve conducted a number of surveys to try to find out if there\u2019s such a thing as an ideal cruising boat\u2014only to conclude that the ideal vessel is a chimera. While a particular boat may be perfect for one sailor or one particular voyage, the same boat might be totally unsuitable for another. Besides using the surveys as the basis for my books, including my newest, World Voyage Planner<\/a>, the purpose of the voyage-planning survey was to find out the essential features of a boat fit for a trip around the world.<\/p>\n

The 57 cruising mariners who participated sail vessels measuring 33 to 74 feet in length and fashioned from plywood, fiberglass, aluminum, and steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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BERRIMILLA 2 – 33′
Source: www.berrimilla.com<\/td>\n		\u00a0<\/td>\nINTERLUDE – 74′ – Photo Steve Dashew
Source: www.sailinginterlude.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Among the group, 27 had sailed around the world, several of them more than once. Their ages ranged from the late 20s to the early 80s, while their cruising spanned the entire world, from the tropics to Antarctica, the Mediterranean to the Northwest Passage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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TENAYA in Menorca (Baleares)
Source: www.tenayatravels.com<\/td>\n		\u00a0<\/td>\nHAWK in Seno Iceberg (Chile)
Source: www.bethandevans.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The boats were as diverse as their owners, from production boats to state-of-the-art yachts, including both monohulls and multihulls; in all, a perfect sample of today\u2019s cruising scene. This was also reflected in the makeup of the individual crews, with 32 boats being sailed all, or most, of the time by couples. Their rich fonts of knowledge and experience made them ideal informants on all the essential aspects of voyage planning.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt that the choice of boat can seriously affect the quality and enjoyment of a voyage. Many factors can make a boat unsuitable for a long voyage, but size\u2014a boat that\u2019s too large for easy handling by a shorthanded crew or too small to be comfortable\u2014is the most common problem. Other factors include limited storage capacity and a lack of speed on long passages. Comfort is indeed a major aspect, and this has a bearing not only on the wellbeing of the crew but on safety itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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ESPIRITU SANTI – 57′ catamaran
Source: espiritusanti.blogspot.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

As important as size and comfort may be, the most essential consideration when choosing a boat for a long voyage is safety. Many boats on the market may be perfectly suitable for weekend sailing or short cruises but may not be up to the demands of a voyage in tough ocean conditions.<\/p>\n

A common reason for some people setting off with what would turn out in the long run to be an unsuitable boat is that it was the boat that they happened to own at the time, and, whether for reasons of finance, lack of foresight, or sentiment, they decided that it would do. By the time their mistake became obvious, it was too late to put it right, and they either chose to carry on regardless or ultimately cut short and even abandoned the voyage.<\/p>\n

As the choice of the right boat is such an important factor, participants in the voyage-planning survey were asked to rate their level of satisfaction with their boat. They were also asked to point out any design features missing on their boat that would\u2019ve made a considerable contribution to the quality and enjoyment of their voyage and to name any specific piece of equipment that they would\u2019ve liked to have had. To complete the section on the choice of boat, they were asked to make a comment or give some useful tip to someone preparing for a long voyage.<\/p>\n

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A few owners complained that their boats were smaller than ideal, although one skipper was happy with his decision to buy such a boat, as it allowed him to enter tinier ports and marinas. What some owners found to be a more serious handicap on long voyages than actual size was the lack of storage space, a deficiency they blamed on the fact that many current boats are built for charter, for which storage capacity isn\u2019t a priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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EQUUS’s protected cockpit
Source: Equus Sailblogs – www.sailblogs.com\/member\/sail621\/<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Regardless of the size of boat, the most common feature that people wished they\u2019d had was a comfortable, sheltered watchkeeping position. Several mentioned the importance of a protected and ergonomically designed cockpit, one possibly outfitted with a hard dodger, that would make passages more comfortable in both hot and cold climates.<\/p>\n

Asked to specify any design feature that would\u2019ve made a considerable contribution to the enjoyment of their voyage, several owners mentioned shallower draft, which they said would\u2019ve extended their cruising range. Other features mentioned were better access to the engine room for maintenance, a compact and safe galley, comfortable sea berths, but also provision for a double berth when in port.<\/p>\n

The list was even longer for such outside features as a well-designed stern with dinghy davits and a platform or scoop with a folding or retractable ladder for easy dinghy access, swimming, and landing fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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HAWK – Reef lines in cockpit
Tack lines on port winch and clews on starboard
Source: bethandevans.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

According to Mike Dorsett of WHITE PRINCESS<\/em>, a Renegade 43, an important feature on a world voyage is \u201ca larger-than-standard self-draining gas locker with space for additional tanks for cruising in areas where refilling them can be a problem.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Suggested improvements at the bows were a retractable bowsprit, quick and easy access to the chain locker with a vertical drop to avoid the chain getting snagged, and a powerful and reliable windlass. For sailhandling, many considered essential a well-planned reefing system with lines led back to the cockpit, ideally to an electric winch.<\/p>\n

The three most commonly mentioned pieces of essential equipment that some sailors had acquired under way or were planning to buy at a later stage were: a watermaker; a strong autopilot preferably backed up by a wind-operated self-steering gear; and an automatic identification system, or AIS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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World cruisers Roger Swanson and Gaynelle Templin in the cockpit of CLOUD NINE (holding the Cruising Club of America’s Blue Water Medal)- Source: Latitude38.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The utmost importance of a reliable autopilot was highlighted by Roger Swanson of CLOUD NINE<\/em>, a Bowman 57. \u201cI went for a long time, in fact two circumnavigations, without a good, reliable autopilot, but that was part of the experience,\u201d<\/em> he said. \u201cNow I have a powerful hydraulic autopilot and use it a lot.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Steve Lochner of EQUUS<\/em>, a 48-foot Nicholson, mentioned these desirable items: \u201ccolor radar capable of indicating the strength of approaching storm cells,\u201d<\/em> bow thrusters, and cockpit repeaters for the chart plotter and radar. He also pointed out that some production boats are sold without an electric-wiring diagram, which can make it very difficult to trace a fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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EQUUS in Alaska
Source: Equus Sailblogs www.sailblogs.com\/member\/sail621\/<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Since most of those interviewed had spent long periods sailing under trade-wind conditions, several mentioned as important having easily handled downwind sails, such as a cruising chute, an asymmetric spinnaker, or an ISTEC Parasailor. Patrick Canut of LEON<\/em>, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42, sailed with two genoas and wished he\u2019d had \u201ctwo poles while running wing and wing, especially when we had to jibe repeatedly with the wind close to 180 degrees. Now I believe that a Parasailor would\u2019ve been a better choice.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Communication systems weren\u2019t examined, although the usefulness of satellite phones was praised. But Steve Moss of YAMMA<\/em>, a Hallberg-Rassy 36, stressed that \u201cin spite of satphones, SSB radio is still essential for emails, voice communications with other boats, receiving weatherfaxes, and the like.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

When it came to giving practical advice to would-be voyagers, some sailors pointed out that many of those with limited experience seem to be unaware of the high electricity demands made by all the equipment installed on cruising boats. \u201cMake sure that your electric-power demands can be satisfied with the quantity of electrical storage and generating equipment that you have on board and that you have a diversified portfolio of options available, including engine, generator, solar, and wind,\u201d<\/em> advised Jim Patek of LET’S GO<\/em>, an Ovni 435.<\/p>\n

Many praised the usefulness of solar panels. But Alfredo Giacon of JANCRIS<\/em>, a Mikado 56, said that \u201cwhile panels were perfect in the Med, where summers are dry with long, sunny days, in the Caribbean I had to add a wind generator as it was often raining and days were shorter.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Solar panels on JANCRIS
Source: www.alfredogiacon.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Lars H\u00e4ssler of JENNIFER<\/em>, a Beneteau Oceanis 5000, suggested that cruisers \u201cdouble your diesel tanks and try to have a 1,000-mile range. This will give you freedom of movement in less-populated areas of the world. If there\u2019s no space, sacrifice one water tank, because you can make water with a watermaker, but you can\u2019t make diesel.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Hugh Fraser, who built SCOTIA,<\/em> his 50-foot steel boat, listed some useful tips that could be easily accommodated on a production boat. \u201cFor lightning protection, a spike on the masthead seems to work,\u201d<\/em> he said. \u201cStow a spare GPS and radio in a tin box in case your boat is hit. For your safety and comfort, make a combined stainless-steel security grate and mosquito screen for the companionway hatch, so you can lock yourself in at night and keep cool. Carry a spare computer and a separate hard drive loaded with all your programs. Among the things to avoid are deep freezers, because they\u2019re too power hungry, and certainly spade rudders, because if they break, you may lose your boat,\u201d<\/em> Fraser added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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SEAQUEST
Source: www.geocities.ws\/bathamquest\/<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The safety aspect, more than any other, should be the overriding factor when choosing a boat for an ocean voyage. Yet several people stressed the need to try and keep things simple. Tere Batham, who spent 10 years roaming the Pacific aboard SEA QUEST<\/em>, a Colin Childs, emphasized that \u201cwe don\u2019t believe that it\u2019s all that sophisticated equipment that really makes the boat. It\u2019s good-quality winches, anchoring gear, and a reliable engine that are paramount, as they\u2019ll give you peace of mind.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

While a boat may be perfect for one sailor, that same boat might be quite unsuitable for another. No one put that better than Alex Whitworth. When asked about his own wish list for items that would\u2019ve contributed to the quality and enjoyment of his circumnavigation via the Northwest Passage on his 33-foot BERRIMILLA 2<\/em>, he said, \u201cNothing. My voyage was sailed on a shoestring. Quality and comfort weren\u2019t considerations.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

At the other extreme, Kurt Braun, who completed a circumnavigation at about the same time on INTERLUDE<\/em>, his 74-foot Deerfoot, also answered \u201cNothing\u201d<\/em> to those same questions. Instead, he gave this advice to anyone planning to get a boat and leave on a long voyage: \u201cGo bareboat chartering and\/or passagemaking on someone else\u2019s boat to confirm that you\u2019ll enjoy cruising on your own yacht before making the investment in a boat or equipment.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Among those who seemed to have most nearly achieved their ideal were Beth Leonard and Evans Starzinger of HAWK<\/em>, an aluminum Van de Stadt Samoa 47. \u201cBecause we\u2019d done a circumnavigation before we built this boat ourselves, we were able to incorporate everything we really wanted in the design,\u201d<\/em> Beth said. \u201cWe\u2019d hoped to get it all into 42 feet, but we ended up at 47 feet. If we could\u2019ve squeezed everything into 42 feet, we would\u2019ve preferred it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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HAWK’s spade rudder and bulbed fin keel
Source: www.bethandevans.com<\/td>\n		\u00a0<\/td>\n40kts under storm jib in the Southern Ocean
Source: www.bethandevans.com<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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