The 7 Youngest People to Sail Around the World Alone

The Youngest Sailors Who Sailed Around the World

If you're looking for inspiration, look no further than the youngest solo sailors who have sailed around the world alone. These teenagers have shown incredible courage and determination, defying the odds and braving the elements to achieve their dreams. Here are some of the most famous young sailors and their incredible journeys.

Name	Age at Completion	Nautical Miles Reached	Days of Journey Completion	Country
Jessica Watson	16	23,000	210	Australia
Laura Dekker	16	27,000	518	Netherlands
Jesse Martin	18	27,000	328	Australia
Abby Sunderland	16	23,000	366	United States
Zac Sunderland	17	28,000	386	United States
Michael Perham	17	25,000	159	United Kingdom
David Dicks	18	23,000	172	Australia

The solo journey of Jessica Watson around the world

Jessica Watson is an Australian sailor who, at the age of just 16, became the youngest person to sail solo and unassisted around the world. She set sail from Sydney in October 2009 and returned to Sydney in May 2010, having sailed over 23,000 nautical miles.

Jessica faced many challenges during her journey, including rough seas, storms, and equipment failures, but she persevered and became an inspiration to many. She sailed non-stop and unassisted for 210 days, battling loneliness along the way.

Watson was named the 2011 Young Australian of the Year and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012 for her achievement. Her journey, chronicled in the book and movie True Spirit, is a testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit.

Laura Dekker circumnavigated the world at age 14

Laura Dekker is a Dutch sailor who, at the age of 14, set off on a solo circumnavigation of the world. She completed her journey in January 2012, at the age of 16, becoming the youngest person to have sailed solo around the world. Laura's journey took her over 27,000 nautical miles, and she faced many challenges along the way, including equipment failures and rough seas.

She originally announced her plan to circumnavigate the globe single-handedly in 2009, when she was 14, but was faced with a long legal battle with Dutch authorities who tried to block her trip. Dekker finally set sail in 2010 and completed her journey in 2012 at the age of 16.

She faced many challenges during her 518-day voyage, including a pirate scare off the coast of Somalia, but she also experienced the beauty and solitude of the open sea. Dekker's story inspired a documentary film, "Maidentrip," which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in 2013. She also kept a blog of her whole journey on her website, the Laura Dekker World Sailing Foundation.

Jesse Martin sailed around the world at age 18

Jesse Martin is an Australian sailor who, at the age of 18, became the youngest person to have sailed solo around the world, non-stop and unassisted. He set off from Melbourne in December 1998 and returned to Melbourne in October 1999, having sailed over 27,000 nautical miles. Jesse's journey took him to many different countries, including South Africa.

He completed the journey in a 34-foot sloop named Lionheart, which he had purchased with his own savings. Jesse set sail from Melbourne, Australia on December 8, 1998, and sailed eastward around the world, crossing the equator twice and rounding the five great capes of the Southern Ocean. He encountered many challenges on his journey, including severe weather, equipment failures, and loneliness.

Despite the challenges, Jesse persevered and completed his journey on October 31, 1999, after sailing for 328 days. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his accomplishment.

Abby Sunderland attempted to sail the world at age 16

Abby Sunderland is an American sailor who, at the age of 16, attempted to become the youngest person to have sailed solo around the world. She started her journey on January 23, 2010, from Marina del Rey, California, and was sailing a 40-foot yacht named "Wild Eyes".

However, on June 10, 2010, while sailing in the Indian Ocean, her yacht was hit by a massive storm that caused her mast to break, leaving her stranded in the middle of the ocean. She was rescued by a French fishing vessel after activating two emergency beacons. Her rescue sparked a lot of controversy, with some people criticizing her parents for allowing her to attempt such a dangerous feat at a young age.

But Abby Sunderland defended her decision to attempt the solo circumnavigation, saying that she was well-prepared for the journey and was aware of the risks involved. Despite this setback, Abby's journey inspired many, and she remains an inspiration to young sailors around the world.

She continued to pursue her passion for sailing and has since participated in various sailing competitions and expeditions. She has also written a book about her experience titled "Unsinkable: A Young Woman's Courageous Battle on the High Seas".

Zac Sunderland and his journey as the youngest person to sail the world alone at age 17

Zac Sunderland is an American sailor who, at the age of 17, became the youngest person to have sailed solo around the world. He started his journey on June 14, 2008, from Marina del Rey, California, and was sailing a 36-foot yacht named "Intrepid".

He sailed across the Pacific Ocean, through the Panama Canal, across the Atlantic Ocean, and around the Cape of Good Hope before returning to California on July 16, 2009, after sailing for 13 months. He sailed over 28,000 nautical miles.

Zac Sunderland's journey was not without its challenges. He encountered rough seas, pirate threats, storms bringing 30-foot waves, and even an electrical fire, but he persevered and completed his journey. His achievement made him the youngest person to sail solo around the world, a record that was later broken by Laura Dekker, who completed her journey at the age of 16.

After his successful circumnavigation, Zac Sunderland continued to pursue his passion for sailing and has since participated in various sailing competitions and expeditions. He blogged his full experience on his own website.

Michael Perham completed his globe solo sailing at age 17

Michael Perham is a British sailor who, at the age of 17, became the youngest person to have sailed solo around the world via the Southern Ocean, completing his journey in August 2009, at the age of 18. He started his journey on November 15, 2008, from Portsmouth, England, and was sailing a 50-foot yacht named "Totallymoney.com".

He sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific Ocean, and around the Cape of Good Hope before returning to England on August 27, 2009, after sailing for 9 months. Michael's journey took him over 30,000 nautical miles, and he faced many challenges along the way, including rough seas and equipment failures.

David Dicks has become one of the youngest people to sail around the world at age 18

David Dicks is an Australian sailor who completed a solo circumnavigation of the world at the age of 18. He started his journey on November 22, 2009, from Hobart, Tasmania, and was sailing a 34-foot yacht named "Seaflight". He returned to Tasmania on May 13, 2010, after sailing for 172 days.

During his journey, David faced many challenges including a rough storm in the Southern Ocean. He describes how the waves were like "moving mountains" and how the storm caused damage to his yacht, including a broken boom and a ripped sail. Despite the challenges, David managed to navigate through the storm to continue his journey and share his journey with people around the world.

Preparations For a Solo Sailing Around The World

To prepare for a solo circumnavigation of the world, ensure that you have the right equipment and skills to navigate the high seas.

Firstly, you will need a seaworthy vessel. Many of the youngest sailors who have completed this feat have done so on small sailboats, such as the S&S 34 yacht, Spray, Intrepid, and Seaflight. These boats are sturdy, reliable, and can withstand the harsh conditions of the open ocean. The cheapest, yet sturdiest boat to sail around the world is the Hurley 22.

In addition to a suitable vessel, you might also need to check if you have the necessary equipment onboard. This includes a mast, sails, and radar to help you navigate and avoid obstacles. You may also need to have a backup plan in case of emergencies, such as a satellite phone or emergency beacon.

For a complete list of things you need before setting sail around the world, read this article: Everything You Need to Sail Around the World (by an expert)

Perhaps consider having a support team in place before setting off on your journey. This can include family and friends who can provide emotional support and help with logistics, such as restocking supplies and arranging repairs.

Before setting sail, the most crucial thing is to develop your sailing skills. Many of the youngest sailors who have circumnavigated the world solo have spent years sailing and honing their skills. You should be comfortable with navigation, boat maintenance, and emergency procedures.

You must also have knowledge about the sailing seasons around the world, and know the safest routes to sail. Read this article to know which routes to take and which to avoid.

Lastly, you will need to understand the costs associated with sailing around the world, so you can better prepare for the journey and ensure that you have the financial resources to complete it safely and successfully. This may involve saving up for several years, seeking out sponsorships or partnerships, or finding other creative ways to fund your journey. Here's how much you'll need to prepare to set sail around the world.