A boat fit for purpose

What makes the perfect bluewater boat? Ali Wood asks the owners of two catamarans and two monohulls crossing the North Atlantic

- Ali Wood

For many boat owners, the ‘ideal boat’ is determined by the local cruising area. Should you go further afield you might invest in more kit, or upgrade the batteries or sail wardrobe, for example, but you wouldn’t buy a new boat altogether.

But what about the bluewater dream; the ocean crossing and the months, or years that follow, anchoring in turquoise waters, climbing volcanoes and riding mopeds in search of engine parts? Your boat is your home, classroom and office. A decent day’s sailing is no longer the priority.

This ‘dream’ requires a different kind of boat altogether, one that can get you across an ocean safely, but be comfortable enough to live on. You might need to buy a boat for this very purpose and sell it afterwards. Perhaps you’ll need to rent out your home and sell your possessions. If you’re resourceful you don’t necessarily have to be rich.

“A bluewater adventure is typically a four to five-year project,” says Jeremy Wyatt of the World Cruising Club, organisers of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). “You don’t want to use the 35ft yacht you sail around the Solent in, but nor do you want to pay marina fees in Northern Europe for a 45ft catamaran. It’s becoming more common for people to buy a bigger boat for the ARC and then sell it afterwards.”

The average size boat taking part in the ARC today is 48ft, and in the past three years, the share of multihulls has increased from 15% to 26%.

Buy sensibly