Custom Cigarette Boats

How exactly does sailing around the world work?
for example I don't speak Italian, as well as many other languages. If I want to anchor to a dock somewhere in a big city what do I need to do? Does it cost money to dock for a day? Are their maps telling me where I can dock?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Surprisingly most everywhere you go you will find english speaking locals - especially working in locations where foreign travelers, tourists, etc. are expected and anticipated. My oldest son and I spent almost 5 years sailing around the world, we stopped in Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Scotland, Ireland, England, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Panama, and South Africa, along with numerous islands including Christmas & Easter. From French Polynesia to Indonesia and Hong Kong, we never had a problem communication in english with the locals - albeit - much of it was limited english, hard to understand, and a bit skimpy on details - it was enough to get what we needed. Even the little girls in dug out canoes in the Cook Islands that came out to sell or exchange fresh fruit or hand made straw hats and jewelery could speak well enough english that you could understand they were most eager in exchanging their goods for American beer or cigarettes, as they were cash.



Consider the language barrier as part of the adventure - not as an obstacle to sailing around the world.



For docking... If you stay at Marinas, in most cases you will pay. Many Marinas offer the first night free to transient boaters, some don't. As my son & I are big fans of eating out, we mostly would simply anchor out and take the dinghy to shore (which is free) and use the money saved to eat out at a local restaurant. Finances while sailing around the world are really a matter of your philosophy & pocketbook. It is your own personal comfort zone that will dictate your sailing budget... from the boat you choose, to the amenities aboard, to the places you go, the food you eat... it is amazing how close we all stay to our own comfort zones - if you need it, wear it, eat it, drink it, on land, you will need it, wear it, eat it, and drink it on board - to that end, the opposite it also true. If you don't eat it, drink it, or wear it on land - other then your PFD, there is no use in having it onboard - it simply takes up precious space.



Are there maps? Yes, and they are called "charts". You will need a lot of them. There are also great books that provide needed information about Ports, Cities, places to go, and places not to go. As you get closer to actually realizing this dream, you will have a good knowledge of what to expect before you get there - in regards to wind, weather, currents, Ports, docks, fees, customs, passports, visas, language, provisions, and services. It is not hard to get the information you need, nor is it difficult to learn... but it does require both dedication & preparation.



The link below will provide you with a very solid "jump start" to all you need to know about sailing around the world - and doing it on a frugal budget. Check it out. I'm sure you will enjoy it and get a lot out of it.



Happy & Safe Boating,

John



75 mph on lake Erie from Kelly's to put in bay island