For centuries, sailors have been captivated by the idea of circumnavigating the globe. It’s a challenge that has inspired many to take on their own adventure and explore the world from a unique perspective. But how long does it take to sail around the world? That’s what we’re here to find out! 

Are you dreaming about a sailing adventure around the world? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring how long it takes to sail around the world. We’ll take a look at different factors like boat size and crew numbers, as well as geographical obstacles like the Panama Canal and Cape of Good Hope. So grab your sea legs and let’s get sailing! 

For centuries, sailors have been captivated by the idea of sailing around the world. And why not? After all, what could be more exciting than exploring different countries, encountering diverse cultures and wildlife, and braving treacherous weather conditions? But how long does it take to sail around the world? We’ll explore this question—and more—in this blog post.

The amount of time it takes to sail around the world depends on a few factors. For example, larger boats require more time than smaller boats because they need more fuel and supplies for longer trips. Experienced sailors with their own boats can also make faster trips, whereas those who are new to boating may take longer. The route you choose is also important; for instance, sailing around the world via the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean (the Westward Route) will usually take less time than sailing around it via the Pacific Ocean and Suez Canal (the Southern Route). 

Another key factor in determining how long it will take you to sail around the world is weather conditions. You must always be prepared for changing winds and storms that could slow down your progress or even force you to change course entirely. Additionally, if your boat is equipped with solar panels or wind power, then you may need more time in order to maintain your energy sources during your journey. 

Finally, one of the most important things to consider when figuring out how long it will take you to sail around the world is your own sailing experience. While experienced sailors can complete this trip in as little as four months, an average person likely won’t be able to do so in less than six months—and that’s only if they have their own boat and are familiar with yacht clubs or other ports they can dock at while they travel! 

How Many Nautical Miles Is It? 

The first thing to consider when planning a sailing trip around the world is how far you will need to travel. The total number of nautical miles is roughly 41,000 – that’s almost twice the circumference of the Earth! To put that into perspective, if you were travelling at an average speed of 5 knots (5 nautical miles per hour), it would take you over 8,000 hours or 333 days to complete your voyage. Most sailors choose not to sail non-stop due to fatigue and boredom so this amount of time can be extended depending on how much sightseeing you plan on doing along the way. 

What Type of Boat Do You Need? 

The next factor that affects how long it takes to sail around the world is what type of boat you are using for your trip. Smaller boats are slower but more maneuverable in tight spaces such as marinas and small harbours, whereas larger boats may have more amenities but require longer periods of rest between each leg of travel due to their size. A smaller boat might take up to two years whereas a larger one could take up to four years for a round-the-world trip. 

What About Obstacles? 

In addition to distance and boat size, there are several geographical obstacles that will also affect your journey time. For example, crossing through narrow straits such as Torres Strait or navigating treacherous waters such as Cape Horn can add weeks or even months onto your voyage depending on weather conditions and available time slots in certain ports or yacht clubs. Additionally, many sailors choose not only go eastward across the Pacific Ocean but also westward via French Polynesia before reaching South Africa via Cape Town and New Zealand via Auckland. This route adds nearly 10,000 nautical miles onto an already lengthy journey!  

Sailing Around the World in Nautical Miles 

The circumference of the world is roughly 40,074 nautical miles. Assuming you stick to a single route (more on that later), then it should take an experienced sailor approximately one year to circumnavigate the globe. That said, many sailors opt to break their journey up into smaller legs that can be completed over a series of years. 

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes To Sail Around The World 

There are several factors that can affect how long it takes for a person or crew to sail around the world, including boat size and type, crew experience and skill level, route taken (westward vs. eastward), geographic location (northern hemisphere vs. southern hemisphere), and weather conditions (for instance, sailing during hurricane season is generally not a good idea). Smaller boats tend to require more time due to their slower speeds; larger boats with multiple sails can cut down on travel time significantly. A person who has sailed before likely won’t need as much time as someone who is new to sailing; similarly, an experienced sailor will require less time than a novice sailor. 

Achieving a World Record – Is It Possible? 

Yes! On August 1st 2018 Dutch skipper Mark Slats became the first person ever to sail solo nonstop around the world in under 200 days! He did so by taking advantage of strong winds in both hemispheres (which allowed him to cut down his travel time) and making use of sailing technology such as solar panels for electricity and autopilots for navigation. His record-breaking journey took him through some of the world’s most dangerous waters including the Panama Canal, Cape Horn at South America’s tip, Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea – but he made it home safely in 198 days! This feat was achieved via an 80-foot racing yacht named “Ohpen Maverick” – far larger than most recreational boats used for circumnavigation attempts.

Sailing around the world is an adventure like no other—one that requires preparation, planning, and plenty of patience! The amount of time required depends on various factors such as boat size, route chosen, and weather conditions encountered along the way—but even then it still takes quite some time for most people. In fact, French sailor Bernard Moitessier holds the record for being first person ever to circumnavigate solo non-stop; his journey lasted seven months! So if you’re thinking about taking on this challenge yourself someday soon just remember: having realistic expectations about how long it will take is key!

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how long it takes for someone to sail around the world – everyone has different experience levels and access to different resources which means everyone’s journey will vary in length from person-to-person and boat-to-boat. However, if you are an experienced sailor with your own boat who knows exactly what route they want to take, then anywhere from six months (for really experienced sailors) up to four years (for less experienced ones) is a good estimate for completing such a feat! The most important thing here is planning ahead; being prepared with all necessary supplies (including solar panels!) can save you tons of time in the end – allowing for more exploration of those beautiful islands along your route!

As we can see from Mark Slats’ record-breaking journey around the world, it’s possible—with enough experience and practice—to sail around our planet in just under 200 days! Of course, most people don’t have access to large racing yachts like “Ohpen Maverick,” nor do they have enough experience or knowledge about maritime navigation or weather patterns necessary for such an undertaking. For most people wanting to circumnavigate our planet via boat, it’s best to plan your trip carefully and give yourself plenty of time – ideally one year or longer – depending on your boat size/type and sailing experience level. The most important thing when embarking on any voyage is safety – so make sure you research routes beforehand; visit local yacht clubs; get advice from experienced sailors; make sure your boat is seaworthy; properly equip yourself with navigational tools; follow boating laws in each country you visit; and always check current weather forecasts before setting out on your trip! Good luck out there sailors!