Sailing around the World is Rarer than Climbing Mount Everest

A new book from the bestselling author Dr. Linus Wilson finds that fewer people circle the globe in a sailboat than climb to the top of Mt. Everest.  In 2013, 658 people summited Mount Everest, but Dr. Wilson estimates in his new book “How to Sail Around the World Part-Time” that only about 330 people sail around the world each year.

“It is a puzzle why so many people would rather risk death, altitude sickness, frostbite, and live in cold cramp tents relative to sailing around the world.  Circumnavigators have sandy beaches, warm tropical breezes, marvelous starry nights, and drinks at sunset to look forward to.  Everest climbers can look forward to walking next to the frozen bodies of fellow climbers who died many seasons before,” he said.

Dr. Wilson developed statistics about small sailboat circumnavigators and distilled the lessons of dozens of sailors’ accounts into the 72-page book that dispels many of the myths about sailing around the world.

“A lot of people think they will see the world if they start on a long trip in a sailboat.  The truth is the world is too big.  The winds blow in the wrong direction if you leave the narrow band of the trade wind belt.  If you want to sail around the world, there is a pretty narrow path that sailors follow through a very select group of countries.  If you deviate from that path, then you’ll get beat up by rough seas.  You’ll run out of money or patience for the trip.  While it is more comfortable than living in a tent, boat life is not as comfortable as living on land,” Dr. Wilson said.

“How to Sail Around the World Part-Time” argues that sailing around the world is rarer than climbing mount Everest despite the much lower risks because sailors lack focus compared to mountain climbers.

“Mountain climbers want to get to the top and back down.  They don’t explore every nook and cranny of the mountain.  Sailors on the other hand act like they are at a restaurant where they order everything on the menu.  You’ll get stuffed before you get through the third dish.  Many sailors feel like they can’t miss any interesting anchorage, and many end up not getting very far from home,” the author said.

Dr. Wilson has a doctorate in financial economics from Oxford University in England.  He argues that quitting one’s job or selling a business does not make sense for potential circumnavigators.  “Tropical storm seasons limit people who quit their job and sold their homes to only sailing half the year,” he said.  Instead, business owners, educators, and professionals would be better off taking off two to six months per year to move the boat forward during the Northern Hemisphere summers.  “Part-time circumnavigators will earn more and be more comfortable if they don’t sever their ties to their old lives,” he said.

“If three-time circumnavigator and author Jimmy Cornell and Tim Ferriss, writer of ‘The 4-Hour Workweek,’ got together they might have written this book.  Unfortunately, I don’t think they are on speaking terms,” said Dr. Wilson.

“How to Sail Around the World Part-Time” launches on Amazon on February 16, 2016.  It is available in eBook, paperback, and CD from Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B0OFYNW.   An audio version read by the author can be purchased at Gumroad.

“How to Sail Around the World Part-Time” is Linus Wilson’s second book. His first book, a funny look at getting the sailing bug and going on the big trip, “Slow Boat to the Bahamas,” has been a number 1 bestseller on Amazon in sailing eBooks and Bahamas Travel Guides. He sails with his wife and daughter.

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Linus Wilson

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