I'm Sailing Around the World Without Stopping

On October 2, 2026, solo mariner Oliver of Sailing With Phoenix | Oliver cast off his shore lines from Port Townsend, Washington, embarking on one of the most perilous challenges in modern seafaring: a 30,000-nautical-mile solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation of the planet. Sailing aboard Phoenix do Mar—a stout Pacific Seacraft 40 cutter whose name translates from Portuguese as "Phoenix of the Sea"—the voyage seeks to traverse the world’s great southern oceans in a single unbroken passage without touching land or receiving outside aid.

Clearing the protected confines of Puget Sound and navigating the challenging currents of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the reality of the undertaking struck almost immediately. As the vessel met the full, unbridled fetch of the North Pacific Ocean, steep swells and 30-knot headwinds greeted the lone skipper, initiating an immediate trial of physical endurance, seasickness management, and seamanship.

Clearing the Strait and Confronting the Pacific Swell

The transition from harbor preparation to open-ocean navigation tests even the most seasoned voyagers. Operating entirely singlehanded, Oliver confronted immediate physical fatigue as rolling seas induced early seasickness. With characteristic dry humor and vulnerability, he embraced the discomfort as the inevitable price of admission for global ocean voyaging.

As Phoenix do Mar punched through building seas offshore, the Crealock-designed Pacific Seacraft 40 proved its renowned heavy-displacement pedigree. The canoe stern, deep forefoot, and encapsulated lead keel provided steady directional tracking, allowing the windvane self-steering gear to hold a steady offshore course while Oliver monitored barometric trends and settled into an offshore watch routine.

Interior Sea Berth Ergonomics and Trim Optimization

Life below deck during an ocean passage requires meticulous weight management and defensive sleeping arrangements. Evaluating his cabin accommodations under heavy heel, Oliver analyzed the tradeoffs between different sea berths:

• Forward V-Berth Weight Reduction: To reduce hobby-horsing in steep waves, Oliver strategized moving heavy spare sails out of the bow locker aft into the main saloon, keeping pitching moments centered near the keel.
• Saloon Settee vs. Pilot Berth: While a snug pilot berth prevents rolling out during violent heeling, its shorter length presented ergonomic limits. Oliver fitted heavy canvas lee cloths on the main saloon settee to securely wedge himself while resting.
• Knockdown Safety Margins: In severe high-latitude knockdowns or complete roll scenarios, open berths with excessive vertical overhead present severe impact hazards, making low-clearance, tightly padded bunks essential for safety.

Saltwater Ingress and Thirty-Knot Conditions

By the conclusion of the first week at sea, conditions intensified as a robust cold front swept across the North Pacific, bringing sustained 30-knot winds and boarding seas. Green water cascading across the foredeck found minor pathways through ventilation fittings, soaking the cabin sole and wetting Oliver’s primary sleeping bag.

Managing wet gear and salt moisture inside a sealed boat is a constant offshore battle. Despite bruised limbs, damp bedding, and heavy motion, Oliver reaffirmed his profound commitment to the journey, concluding that meeting the raw hostility of the sea with stubborn resilience is the defining essence of solo circumnavigation.

Circumnavigation Departure and Vessel Log

The operational specifications of Phoenix do Mar’s non-stop departure are summarized in the passage log below:

Frequently Asked Questions