Can You Go Transatlantic In A Motor Yacht?

A typical powered boat requires a tank with a capacity of around 5000 gallons of petrol and a fuel efficiency of 2.5 nautical miles per gallon to traverse the Atlantic. This is based on a gasoline consumption rate of 4 gallons per hour at a cruising speed of 10 knots. A smart crossing is all about consistent speed, 24 hours a day, and not having downtime. Weather plays a large part of any Atlantic crossing, as it determines when to go, which route to follow, and the sails to carry.

The most common yachts for sailing across the Atlantic are ordinary production cruisers with standard kit, usually with upgrades of safety and power generation equipment. The happy solo transatlantic in a 27ft cruiser was first crossed the Atlantic over 49 years ago, aged 18, as one of 16 crew members onboard the 180ft motoryacht Camargo V.

There are no numbers for catamarans since the classes are divided between monohulls and multihulls. Trimarans (three hulls) are faster than catamarans (two hulls), so there is no real point in choosing the best boat for crossing the Atlantic. For those going further afield, investing in more kit or upgrading batteries may be necessary.

Preparation for a transatlantic crossing involves thinking through how to supply essentials such as power and water for a long time. Standard cruising yachts can make a transatlantic crossing, and many do each year. It is very feasible for yachts to sail long distances and travel across the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, with fiberglass motor-yachts crossing the ocean safely. Sail across the Atlantic Ocean on a yacht or tall ship where you are the crew, and experience is not needed.