If you’re considering heading out to sea, then you need to think about whether you’re going to go it alone or if you’re going to select a crew.
Some like the solitude of sailing without another person for miles, but others tend to like the comfort of knowing someone is close by. There’s pros and cons to both of these decisions and we’ve rounded up the top pros of each.
Sailing alone
It may seem daunting at first but many say this is one of the most rewarding experiences they’ve had. Giving people time to be themselves, doing exactly what they want without a care in the world while they sail off into the sunset.
Robin Knox-Johnston in 1969 he became the first person to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.
1. Confidence
Sailing alone will undoubtedly leave you will a sense of satisfaction and confidence. It’s become a highly competitive sport in recent years, so if you’re good enough, why not try your hand?2. Rules
One of the major things to remember if you decide to go it alone is that you’ll have to be strict on yourself. Making sure you stick to the rules and the routines of the sail is one of the key safety factors in sailing, and one slip up could see you in serious trouble.3. Complete competence
If you’re sailing alone it means you know everything there is to know about your boat, and sailing in general. And so you can then take great pride in the fact that you’ve not only conquered the sea and successfully completed your journey, but you are master-at-sea.4. Speed
Less people means less weight, simple as that. If you only have yourself on board then you’ll be free to go as fast as you like (or the wind will take you). More people can add complications along with extra weight which means you won’t be getting anywhere fast.5. Self-sufficiency
If you’re a lone sailor then you are one of the few people who can really claim to self-sufficient. You have everything you need to survive on board and you only have yourself to be responsible for… what could be better?Taking a crew
Having a few people around you can mean you’ll be sure to have a great time while out at sea, with jokes and conversation your days won’t seem half as long.
Photo Italia Yachts 12.98
1. Company
This is the main reason why people chose to pick a crew before they head out to sea. You have to think about your mental state, especially if it’s a long sailing trip that you’re embarking on. Having people to bounce ideas off is invaluable when you find yourself in a highly pressured situation or even when you’re going through a lengthy quiet stretch of sea.2. Time
All the jobs that need doing on-board will take half the time, and if you find which jobs you each like doing you may find that there’s no need for you to spend your time doing the things that you don’t enjoy.3. Improvement
With other people on-board you’ll find that you naturally pick up more tips and tricks to sailing. Meaning you’ll dock with a few more handy skills than you set off with.4. Teamwork
With a crew you’ll find that a unique bonding will occur, that can only be formed when you’ve been there for each other in difficult or hectic times.5. Fun
Finally, having more people on the boat means you’ll tend to have more fun times rather than quiet contemplation. With the beautiful scenery and the feeling of freedom, how could it go wrong?https://sailuniverse.com/2018/11/30/reasons-sailing-singlehanded-crew/
