With the sailboats available today, sailing around the world is easier than ever. Finding the perfect boat for the job, on the other hand, can be a daunting task. So, what are the best sailboats for sailing around the world?
We’ve narrowed down the top ten sailing around the world boats. The following are our top ten picks:
- Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
- Island Packet 349
- Neel 51
- Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42
- Arcona 435
- Figaro Beneteau 3
- X-Yachts X4.9
- Hylas 48
- Lagoon 50
- X-Yachts Xp55
These sailboats offer dependability, comfort, and performance, all of which are important features for your trip. Read on to know more about the best sailing around the world boats, including their dimensions and major features.
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10 Best Sailing Around the World Boats
1. Beneteau Oceanis 46.1
The Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is the most popular Beneteau boat model that has been produced, thanks to its stepped hull shape. Not only did Beneteau deliver the best features of their previous masterpiece, the Oceanis 45, to the Oceanis 46.1, but they also improved the boat’s overall performance, design, and craftsmanship.
The Oceanis 46.1 has a larger mast and a deeper lead-bulb keel, which provide a total of 28 percent extra sail area. In addition, the company released a ‘First Line’ edition that offers both speed and comfort. The Oceanis 46.1 allows you to sail in luxury and comfort, with a wide and functional cockpit and an enormous forward owner’s stateroom – ideal for sailing around the world.
The LOA and LWL of the Oceanis 46.1 are 47’11” (14.60 m) and 43’5″ (13.24 m), respectively. It has a 44’9″ or 13.65 m hull length. Its base power engine is a Yanmar diesel with 57 horsepower, with a Yanmar diesel with 80 horsepower available as an option.
This version is available in five different layouts: three cabins with two heads, three cabins with three heads, four cabins with two heads, four cabins with four heads, and five cabins with three heads. You may sail short-handed with this model, and you can handle the winches from aft.
The rooms below deck are finished in brushed light oak veneer for a stylish look. Wide sunbeds with separate shower and head compartments are also available. It has wide hull portholes that let natural light into the saloon, making it feel big and comfortable below deck.
A walkthrough of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 is shown in the video below:
2. Island Packet 349
The Island Packet 349 was hailed the “Best Midsize Cruiser Under 38 Ft” by Cruising World. [1] Regardless of the weather, it provides passengers with a safe and enjoyable long-haul sailing and cruising experience.
The IP 349 is a two-cabin boat with a separate shower compartment in the single head. This is unusual for boats under 38 feet. It includes refrigerators, a pull-out spice rack cabinet, under-counter dry goods storage, and several SS overhead and bulkhead mounted handholds, among other things. The saloon also contains an L-shaped built-in sofa to port and a dining table that you can fold away to save some space when not in use.
The LOA and LWL of the Island Packet 349 are 38’3″ (11.65m) and 31’5″ (9.58m), respectively. The beamwidth is 12’6″ (3.81m), with a 4 ft. draft (1.2m). It has a fuel capacity of 55 gal and a water capacity of 100 gal. It is powered by a Yanmar diesel engine with 45 horsepower, capable of covering 500 miles at a cruising speed of 6 knots.
With a 32-foot waterline, the IP 349 has a nominal hull speed of 7.5 knots. This model is safe and easy to navigate in sea conditions, thanks to its full keel, 20,000 lbs. displacement, and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 39 percent.
3. Neel 51
The Neel 51 ranks third on our list of the best sailing around the world boats. After the success of the Neel 45 and Neel 65 flagships, this trimaran gained popularity among its customers. The majority of people prefer this model because of its large deckhouse. The Harken 52 winches manage the double headsail rig, which is conveniently accessible from the helm.
However, the headsail limits view from the helm, which is a typical problem with multihulls. There is a wide and comfy lounge space adjacent to it if you want to hang out and rest.
Two center-hull cabins with separate head/shower are located below deck. The trim of the Neel 51 is made of Alpi wood, while the flooring is made of hard-wearing polyester materials.
This boat measures 51 ft. (15.6 meters) in length and 29 ft. and 18 inches in width (9.2 meters). It features a live-aboard space of 90 square meters and a tender garage technical room of 18 square meters. It has a Volvo diesel inboard engine with a sail drive that produces 75 horsepower.
It has a water capacity of 160 gallons (600 L) and a fuel capacity of 160 gallons (600 L). The Neel 51 is easy to drive and has outstanding directional stability. It has little trouble sailing in winds ranging from 6-7 knots to 10-11 knots, increasing its boat speed.
4. Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42
The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is the fourth monohull model in the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon series and the smallest one. The sleek and semi-minimalist design of this model stands out.
Its interiors are mostly white, giving it a light and airy feel, while brightly lighted LED lights surround the saloon. The design is intended for long-distance cruising, such as from one country to another or even around the world.
The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 42 is powered by a 57 horsepower Yanmar diesel engine, which also comes with an 80 hp Yanmar diesel engine as an option. The Pilot Saloon 42 has an overall length of 42’6″ (12.99m) and a beamwidth of 14’2″ (4.34m), with a sail area of 973 sq. ft. (87 sq. m) when fully rigged. This boat has a fuel capacity of 110 gal (416 L) and a water capacity of 162 gallons (613 L).
It has an excellent water grip because it is equipped with a double rudder system at the stern, allowing passengers to effortlessly control and steer it on upwind routes. On onshore wind, the Wauquiez PS42 can sail up to 12-16 mph and rarely dips below 7 knots.
5. Arcona 435
The Arcona 435 was designed using the same blueprint as the Arcona 430, which was a huge success for Arcona Yachts. The Arcona 435, a monohull offshore cruiser-racer sailboat, outperforms its predecessor with its improved, up-to-date design and performance. It proves to be a fast and easy-to-manage 43-ft. performance cruiser and one of the best sailing around the world boats. It has a lead bow and a wider stern, more saloon space, and a large cockpit, all while ensuring improved stability.
The Arcona 435 was created to provide outstanding performance without compromising comfort below deck. It boasts a conventional, light Scandinavian layout with fine woodwork beneath the deck. Its big saloon and spacious kitchen let passengers move freely, while three comfortable double rooms (one front and two aft) provide ample sleeping and storage space.
The LOA and LWL of the Arcona 435 are 43’4″ (13.2m) and 40′ (12.1m), respectively, while the beamwidth is 13’1″. (4m). It has a maximum fuel capacity of 47.6 gallons and a maximum water capacity of 79.3 gallons. It has a 45-horsepower Yanmar JH45C inboard diesel engine and a hull speed of 8.48 knots.
6. Figaro Beneteau 3
The Figaro Beneteau 3 is the world’s 1st foiling 1-design monohull. And like its predecessor, the Figaro Beneteau 2, the FB3 is a game-changer. The FB3 is primarily designed for those looking for a traditional single-handed race. For its size, this model is extremely light and sensitive.
The FB3 is built with a light helm in mind, which is ideal for lengthy offshore races as well as single-handed or double-handed racing. The Figaro Beneteau is designed for speed, but it may also be used to sail around the world, especially if you want to do so quickly.
This model is a monohull single-handed racing sailboat that measures 35’7″ (10.89m) in overall length and 31′ in waterline length (9.46m). It has an 11’5″ (3.48m) beam width and an 8’2″ waterline beam width (2.50m).
It covers a total of 752 square feet on the upwind sail area and up to 1,555 square feet on the downwind sail area. It can carry up to 11 US gallons (40 L) of fuel and has a hull speed of 7.28 knots. It is powered by a 21-horsepower Nanni Diesel N3 inboard engine.
7. X-Yachts X4.9
The X-Yachts X4.9, the third model in the new ‘X’ series, comes in at number seven on our list of the best sailing around the world boats. This model attempts to provide an attractive and comfortable cabin without sacrificing performance. Its interior design combines great aesthetics with practicality.
Pinstripes of full teak run the length of the deck from bow to stern. This yacht is easier to operate thanks to its four electrically powered winches. The four winches are all located at the back of the cockpit, leaving the lounging area free of ropes.
The X4.9’s below deck is particularly well-designed. It appears pleasant and inviting to live in, right down to the Nordic oak finish and U-shaped sofa. Additionally, it has white Corian worktops with a stove cover, a double sink, and space for a fridge, microwave, and espresso machine on the L-shaped galley.
The forward owner’s stateroom has hull windows at bed level and a minimalist design with a huge island bed and a thick mattress, as well as a separate shower compartment.
It has an overall length of 49’7″ (15m) and a waterline length of 44’5″ (13.58m), with a beamwidth of 14’7″ (4.49m). It has a sail area of 1,290 ft2 (129.1m2) and can carry 66 gal (300 L) of fuel and 68 gal (310 L) of water. The X4.9 is powered by a 57-horsepower diesel engine (42.5 kW).
8. Hylas 48
The Hylas 48 has been rated the ‘Best Full-Size Cruiser Under 48 Ft’ by the magazine Cruising World. [2] It’s designed and equipped for the long haul, with a robust stainless-steel stem fitting and two anchor rollers. It also has a lead fin keel and is made of solid hand-laid fiberglass. A self-tacking jib for upwind sailing and a mounted-forward Genoa for off-wind sailing are included in this model.
The H48 has a classic configuration, which includes a cockpit in the center, a large dining table in the saloon, U-shaped seats to port, and a cushioned bench in the centerline. Depending on the customer’s needs, the H48 offers a variety of customization choices. Teak, light oak, and maple are the interior finish options.
The Hylas 48 is powered by a Yanmar 75 HP turbo diesel with dual Racor fuel filtration. At 2,400 rpm, this model can hit 8.1 knots and 8.9 knots at 3,100 rpm. It is 48′ (14.6m) long overall and 42′ long at the waterline (12.8m). It has a 14’6″ (4.4m) beamwidth and a 6’6″ draft width (2m). It has a fuel capacity of 290 gallons and a water capacity of 119 gallons.
9. Lagoon 50
The Lagoon 50, a catamaran sailboat, is number 9 on our list of the best sailboats for sailing around the world. In the 40 to 50 ft. category, it has been rated the best multihull cruising boat. It has a sporty style to it, as well as an easy-to-handle rig and improved performance. This model provides outstanding performance without sacrificing comfort. The hulls also have a lot of space and are very comfortable.
The interiors, designed by Nauta Design, feature a homey feel with unique architecture. It boasts a retractable panoramic windscreen with a wood finish that can be customized, as well as plenty of natural light that floods the aft cabin, making it bright and spacious.
The Lagoon 50 has a beamwidth of 26’7″ and an overall length of 48’5″ (14.75m) (8.10m). It has a capacity of 263 US gallons (2240 L) of freshwater and 2137 US gallons (2520 L) of gasoline. It is driven by a Yanmar 4JJH57 diesel engine that produces 57 horsepower.
10. X-Yachts Xp55
Our list of the best sail around the world boats includes another X-Yacht. This article also mentions the Xp55, which is a sister of the X4.9. The Xp line focuses on the boat’s performance. The hull structure of this Xp model is made up of a blend of fiberglass and carbon fiber, which absorbs rig and engine loads. A regular 9’4″ (2.84m), a deep 10’6″ (3.2m), and a shallow 8’2″ keel are all available (2.49m).
The Xp55 comes with two different layouts for the owner’s cabin, as well as a choice of double or triple heads. The basic interior finish is teak furniture with a touch of holly floors. On the other hand, a touch of brushed oak wood on the furniture with walnut floorboards is a choice for a different style of interior design. A big U-shaped sofa in the saloon, which can accommodate up to 8 people, is found on many sailboats.
The Xp55’s LOA and LWL are 56′ 6″ (17.23m) and 48′ 9″ (14.87m), respectively, with a beamwidth of 15′ 8″ (4.77m). The Xp55 is powered by a 110 horsepower diesel engine (81 kW). It has a fuel capacity of 123 US gallons (465 L) and a water capacity of 159 US gallons (600 L).