Hey there. Me and 4 of my friends are planning a trip to Europe from Canada on a boat. We’re already taking boating & safety courses. We just need to find the perfect boat. What kind of boat will be required for this trip? What size of boat?( ? ft.) Also, how long would it take to sail to Europe? When answering, take into consideration the weight of 5 people, food for 5 people for however long the trip is, the weight of all the fuel necessary for the whole trip. I know I’m asking a lot but I really appreciate it.
if the wreck of the titanic has taught us anything, its that there is no perfect vessel for atlantic crossings.
You really need to be looking at a blue water “sail” boat. Do that, and “fuel” becomes a non-issue.
Since you are obviously new at this (as evident in your taking boat safety courses) then let me add that learning to sail is really not difficult. True, there is more to it then pointing the bow in the right direction and giving it gas. . . but indeed, sailing is man’s most primitive form of transportation. Or as Geico might say it “Even a cave man can do it”. If you commit your time and energy to it, you and your friends can be every bit as good as most sailors (if not more so) in 8 weeks or less.
Furthermore, with today’s technology and especially with the aid of GPS – navigation is easy as 1,2,3. . . 1. set you way-points, 2. set your sail, 3. don’t hit anything for 6 weeks.
If you and your friends are commented to do this. . . Some learning to sail, and a few “offshore” sailing lessons are all that is needed. And if you have access to a few sailing skiffs or dinghies, the 5 of you can easily teach yourself how to sail – and the experience will be extremely beneficial, and most likely the most fun you will ever have while getting wet. Once you play around in the dinghies, take some lessons in the size vessel you will be sailing, and add in “offshore” lessons and experience – and you will be ready to go.
There is a huge “myth” that sailing across the ocean and even on around the world is only afforded to the very rich and the most accomplished sailors – but today, that is simply not true. Sailing around the world is undoubtedly the simplest and most economical form of transportation and lifestyle on the planet.
5 friends can do this, and be reasonably and safely comfortably on a vessel between 36 and 46 feet. Remember, once at sea, there is no stopping until you reach your destination. So, splitting into two “shifts” you will always have someone at the helm, and someone on watch keeping him or her company. . . So, you don’t really need a boat with 5 or 6 berths.
You simply need to look for a good used vessel between 36 and 46 feet that fits your philosophy and pocketbook. Eventually, (after the initial crossing) the vessel will probably (by default) end up in the hands of only one or two of you anyway.
There really is no “perfect” boat. . . No, not one, not new, not used. . . The nearest you will get to it, is one that is simply to sail, simply to maintain, and the smallest, safest, and most comfortable one you can all sail on (and live for a few weeks).
Even after the boat is fully paid for, rigged, and provisioned – your “on-going” expenses will be based on the vessel’s length. . . Everyone from the Marinas you dock at, the mechanics that work on it, painters that paint it, insurers that insure it, to the size and required strength of your vessel’s rigging, sails, electric, and mechanical parts – will explode expediently with the length of your vessel. This is why we always recommend for anyone on a budget – Never buy the biggest most sophisticated boat you can afford, but the smallest, simplest, most comfortable one you can live on.
At sea, (especially for 5 people) fresh water will be your biggest concern. You will need not only a huge amount of fresh water storage, you will also need a fairly large capacity fresh water maker. For example, “on land” the average person uses 90 gallons of fresh water per day. You simply can not do that on a boat. . . Why? Because 90 gallons of water weighs 720 lbs. It also takes up 1. 5 cubic feet of space. If you did that with 5 people on board, spending 6 weeks to cross the Atlantic, you would have to carry 72 tons of water and have a 315 cu. ft. of water storage.
Needless to say, you have to cut your fresh water use down from 90 gallons a day to about 30 gallons a day, and have a 150 gallon storage tank with a 150 gallon per day fresh water-maker.
At any rate, the answer to this question, and many-many more can be found at the link below. It will help you choose the right boat, as well as prepare yourself, your friends, and the boat for just such a voyage.
You can do this. . . many couples are doing it as we speak. You just need take the time to do it right. . . And remember – getting half way across the ocean and having to turn back is not an option. . . you have to get it right the very first time.
Just study the site below, page by page. . . you’ll know what you need to do by the time you get to the end.
Good Luck,
John
Queen Mary.