Land exploration for sailors

It s pretty much impossible to answer your question unless you narrow it down to which areas you intend to cruise. The Caribbean, the Bahamas, The US east coast, West coast, the Med???

Each area is so different in amenities and what you can and shouldn’t do

Generally speaking, anchoring in sheltered anchorage is safe and you can use a tender to get ashore, even carrying a bike. Now like everything else common sense applies and there are places where you don’t want to leave a tender alone on a beach or at a dock and where you wouldn’t be safe riding a bike

Everything Pascal said, plus...

Assuming you're thinking of a smaller boat you're running yourself... If you're into land based activities and do not have a passion for sailing/boating, you and your companions will probably tire of the boat within a week or two. Though there is a possibility that you will discover the passion.

If you're thinking of a 50 meter sailing yacht with substantial crew, it might work, but even then you may tire of 400 mile land excursions to see the sights.

The only reason I see you giving for sailing is "good for me to get there and stay for free." What? You think boating is free? Certainly free eliminates marinas. I see no love of sailing or boating so unless there is some, then find some other way.

We love the sights and activities on land, but we love the water and boating as the only way we'd ever want to travel from place to place. The water is a passion of ours and unless it is for you too, then find some other way. You could do van camping and touring easier and cheaper than sailing.

Most sailors prefer anchoring and tendering to shore. We prefer marinas.

And sailors without years of experience and substantial sailboats and crew shouldn't cross either.

So you're just looking at sailing as cheap transportation across oceans? I'm seeing no love for the water here and flying is far cheaper than sailing.

Have you ever been sailing? If so, what did you do on board and did you enjoy sailing? If you haven't, then first thing I'd suggest is some lessons and then renting or chartering a sailboat.

One needs substantial crew to operate a sailboat? Now you tell me......(Thousands of solo miles..... )

I'll tell you and it's strictly opinion. First, don't quote part of sentences. What I said was "And sailors without years of experience and substantial sailboats and crew shouldn't cross either." I don't believe a sailor without years of experience should cross the Atlantic or Pacific. I also don't believe they should do so without substantial sailboats. Yes, I know inexperienced sailors with 19' sailboats have done so. I also know many of those trying have required rescue and others haven't made it,, but they never come back online to share their story. Last, I don't believe crossing oceans single handed (sail or power) meets the basic requirements for maintaining watch. I don't believe it's safe, especially if problems arise. Just because it's done, doesn't make it advisable. I have read the blogs of some who have done it and seen their decision making after days of sleep deprivation including going around in circles.

We're here advising the OP. I don't think he should just jump on a sailboat and take off across the Atlantic or to Polynesia. I feel to advise him to do so based on the little information he's shared would be irresponsible.

+1 on OB's comment.

While not for me and not generally recommended by those who have done it, there are certainly examples of couples who purchase a charter cat and head to the south pacific for instance.
Your questions are hard to answer. How long can you leave it? As long as you are comfortable neglecting maintenance and not fretting about whether the anchor is holding or if other vessels are dragging and banging against your hull. For me this is about as far as I can see her and not more that to take a hike. I don't mean trekking I mean a picnic hike


Locking stuff up, sure. But as I always think, locks are there to keep honest people honest. Criminals are going to not care much.

Crossing to the south pacific? Only if you have time and money and the most excellent sense of adventure and mechanical prowess.

I do think newbies can do such a thing, but...

I think we pretty much agree on all that.