Location, Location, Location.
01-03-05
“Ready, Fire, Aim”
So where do you begin your world cruising adventure?
Right, you’re about to begin your world cruising adventure. Where do you start?
Well, it’s not as simple as throwing a dart at a map and hoping for the best. You might hit a lovely spot, like the Mediterranean, or you might end up sailing straight into a pirate-infested hellhole or the Roaring Forties, standing naked at the helm screaming profanities at the elements like Robin Knox-Johnson.. or me on occasions!
Researching Your Destination
Before you start mapping out your oceanic dreams, I suggest getting hold of a copy of World Cruising Destinations by Jimmy and Doina Cornell. This book is essentially the Bible for aspiring sailors, profiling places you didn’t even know existed. It covers everything you need to know: climate, local facilities, and the history of each place, as well as making a nice addition to the coffee table.
'World Cruising Destinations' by Jimmy and Doina Cornell
Many novice boat owners are still upgrading and repairing their new purchase months, if not years, beyond their intended departure date. Some don’t even make it Once you’ve narrowed down some places, dive online. Join a few cruising groups. Start scouting for boats in these regions. You’ll soon discover that where you buy your boat often dictates where you start your grand voyage. And trust me, this is important. You do not want to end up like us, almost ending up with a boat that’s been stripped of all hardware, deep in the Panamanian jungle.
Choose Based on Boat Location
So, instead of buying a boat in, say, Greenland and then fretting about how on Earth you’re going to get it to the Mediterranean, buy one closer to where you want to begin your journey. Unless, of course, you fancy your maiden voyage being a thousand-mile ordeal through waters that make the English Channel seem like a paddling pool by comparison. I’ve been there. I don’t recommend it!
Buy a boat closer to where you want to begin your journey and not in a hurricane hole on the other side of the planet - I’ve been there. I don’t recommend it!
If you’ve read my post, How NOT to Buy a Boat, you’ll already know the pitfalls of buying a boat halfway around the world.
Buying a New Boat
Now, there’s something to be said for buying a new boat. For one, you can have it delivered to your dream sailing spot. The dealer/manufacturer will already have done the initial ‘shakedown sail,’ meaning the initial teething problems—leaks, engine hiccups, exploding toilets—are dealt with before you even set foot on it. Plus, it comes with a warranty. If anything breaks, and it will, they will have to fix it under warranty.
Also, with a new boat, most of the equipment won’t need replacing for a while, which is great because you really don’t want to find out halfway across the Coral Sea that your Genoa furler, made in 1996 needs an obsolete part that has to be custom made or shipped in from a shed half way up the Swiss alps. Ask me how I know!
Buying an Older Boat
When it comes to fixing things, you’ll want to be in a place with access to mechanics, suppliers, and the all-important postal service! - Cairns, Australia.
Buying an older boat is of course much cheaper, but you will still have to tackle the list of jobs highlighted in the surveyor’s report. And when it comes to fixing things, you’ll want to be in a place with access to mechanics, suppliers, and the all-important postal service. I cannot stress enough how painful it is to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with no way of getting that vital part you need—because without it, your boat is just a very expensive floating, plastic prison.
Get involved with cruising meet-ups early on. Not only will you find like-minded people who also enjoy sailing to the brink of madness, but they’ll also give you insider tips on navigating local customs, avoiding shady mechanics, and which marinas apparently think they’re servicing superyachts instead of your battered old cruiser and charge accordingly. Panama’s Shelter Bay Marina, I’m looking at you!
Location-Specific Boat Equipment
An advantage of buying an older boat, in a specific location is that it’s often kitted out for the local cruising conditions. - Waterworld, Suriname.
One advantage of buying an older boat, is that it’s often kitted out for the local cruising conditions. For example, in some areas, you’ll need a large holding tank because there are strict rules about where you can dump black water (as in, not in the sea!) like in Turkey. In others, you’ll need a water maker because the nearest fresh water supply is three countries away, like Indonesia. Heating? Air conditioning? Dehumidifiers? All critical, depending on where you are. It’s not one-size-fits-all out there.
Popular Sailing Regions
Some places are set up for cruising boats. The Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Australia’s Whitsunday Islands—these are well-trodden paths for cruisers, with all the support you could ever want. But they have seasons, and you need to be out of there when the bad weather rolls in. Hurricanes in the Caribbean are well known but the Med too can turn nasty very quickly and you’ll need to know when and where to run for cover.
Some places are just made for cruising, like the Mediterranean - Parga, Greece.
Most cruisers go for a six month deal at a marina during the winter months and either go home or use it as a prolonged maintenance stopover. On the plus side it’s a highly communal affair if you choose the right marina and it can lead to lifelong friendships.
The Bay of Broken Dreams
We began our search in our home country - the UK - but quickly realised it wasn’t the best location. Despite its rich sailing history, the UK doesn’t attract many offshore cruising boats due to its challenging seas, limited anchorages, and unpredictable weather. Most boats listed for sale in the UK are weekend sailers, not suitable for the offshore cruising we intended to do.
Many cruisers find their dreams shattered after their first major passage and end up catching the next flight home! - Yasawas, Fjij
Another issue facing UK buyers is the Bay of Biscay—often called the ‘Bay of Broken Dreams.’ This notorious passage off the west coast of France is plagued by North Atlantic storms and massive swells. Many cruisers find their dreams shattered by the time they reach the Mediterranean and end up catching the next flight home!
Consider Travel Convenience for Loved Ones
Finally, think about how easy it is for friends and family to visit. This might not seem important, but trust me, when your parents are freaking out about you disappearing off into the abyss with their Grandkids, it helps if they can easily hop on a plane and come see you. My dad visited us in Greece during our first year, and he now visits us about twice a year, despite being in his 80’s. Irenka’s mum? She tried it once in Turkey and decided it was too much for her. Fair enough.
Grandad visits us about twice a year, despite being in his 80s! - Society Islands, French Polynesia
Why We Chose the Ionian Islands
After much faffing about, we eventually bought our boat in Greece’s Ionian Islands. It was a no-brainer, really. We knew the area well, having worked as flotilla skippers and instructors there, and it had everything we needed—mechanics, chandlers, good flights to and from the UK, and, most importantly, some of the most picturesque sailing waters in the world. Looking back, if we’d just started our search here instead of chasing ‘the perfect boat’ around the world, we could’ve saved ourselves a fortune and a lot of grey hairs.
There you go. Starting location: Do your homework, don’t start your journey in a hurricane hole on the other side of the planet and you might just have the perfect start to a beautiful adventure!
“Ready, Fire, Aim..”
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