How much does it cost to sail around the world?

For two people sailing around the world over three years on a used 38 to 42ft monohull, budget £150,000 to £300,000 to buy and prepare the boat, cover cruising costs and keep an emergency reserve. If you already own a suitably equipped yacht, allow £2,000 to £3,500 a month for cruising and routine upkeep, with major preparation work and emergency money separate.

Boat condition and trip length

Start with the survey findings and replacement history. Overdue rigging, sails and engine work can swallow the saving on a cheap boat. Decide how many years you will be away, too. Each extra year adds food, insurance, maintenance and possibly storage costs.

These figures are planning allowances in pounds sterling, not quotations. They assume two adults, frequent anchoring, some owner maintenance and a conventional tropical route. Marina living, children aboard or lengthy periods ashore change the calculation.

Allow £50,000 to £100,000 to buy an older 38 to 42ft cruising yacht, though condition and location can put prices well outside that range. A Hallberg-Rassy 42E and a newer 42ft ex-charter yacht can both need substantial spending, but on different things. Inspect deck moisture, chainplates, standing rigging, steering, engine installation and evidence of grounding. Weight and a respected badge do not establish seaworthiness.

Allow £1,500 to £3,000 for a survey, lift-out and associated inspections, depending on location and scope. Check VAT or import status before paying a deposit. Include any liability in the purchase budget.

Budget for offshore preparation

For a sound yacht that needs updating, set aside £20,000 to £40,000 before departure. A boat with recent, documented offshore preparation may need less. Structural repairs, replacement teak decks or a new engine can take spending well beyond that.

Typical allowances for this size of boat include:

• Standing rigging: £4,000 to £8,000, depending on the rig, fittings and labour.
• Mainsail and furling genoa: £5,000 to £9,000 for cruising sails.
• Safety equipment: £2,500 to £5,000 for a liferaft, EPIRB, lifejackets, tethers and associated equipment.
• Electrical upgrades: £2,000 to £6,000 for a suitable combination of solar panels, charging equipment and batteries.
• Steering and spares: £3,000 to £7,000 for an autopilot upgrade or windvane, plus selected pump, engine and steering spares.

These allowances cover replacements. Keep serviceable equipment rather than treating the figures as a compulsory shopping list. Have load-bearing rigging defects assessed and corrected before an offshore passage.