Ah, solo sailing. The ultimate expression of independence, courage, and possibly untreated introversion. There’s something undeniably romantic about the idea: just you, the wind, the waves, and an unhealthy amount of freeze-dried meals. But before you cast off all lines and declare yourself a sea wolf of the high seas, you might want to pause, breathe, and read this.
Or: Why Talking to Yourself in the Middle of the Ocean May Not Be the Vibe
Here are five very real reasons why sailing solo might not be your best idea ever—even if you do secretly dream of being the next Moitessier with Spotify.
1. You Are the Entire Crew (and You’re Exhausting)
When you sail solo, you are no longer just the captain. You are also the navigator, cook, mechanic, deckhand, meteorologist, bilge inspector, and the person who forgot where they put the winch handle. It’s all on you, baby.
There’s no one to pass the helm to while you pee. No one to help reef the mainsail during a surprise squall. No one to blame when you forget to close the hatch before a wave crashes over. Just you. And maybe your inflatable duck friend.
Spoiler alert: You’re going to get tired. And tired sailors make dumb mistakes. Like accidentally jibing into your own ego.
2. It Gets… Real Lonely, Real Fast
You may think you love solitude—until you’re 40 miles offshore, it’s pitch black, your autopilot is acting up, and suddenly the only thing talking to you is the wind whistling through the shrouds like a haunted sea ghost.
Social interaction is limited to yelling “WOOO!” into the void and hoping a dolphin high-fives you with its fin. And if something goes wrong, your closest conversation might be with the emergency beacon.
Solo sailing teaches you a lot about yourself. Mainly: how long you can go without a proper hug before naming a fender “Wilson.”
3. Sleep? That’s a Nice Idea
Solo sailors don’t sleep. They nap. Badly. In 20-minute intervals. With one ear open. And their body contorted around the companionway.
That dreamy “falling asleep under the stars” moment? It exists. Followed by a shrieking wind shift, a dragging anchor, or your internal monologue yelling, “ARE WE DRIFTING INTO CUBA?”
Lack of sleep affects judgment, coordination, and your ability to remember how many cans of beans you’ve eaten in a row. Which brings us to the next point…
4. Safety Is a High-Wire Act
When you’re sailing solo, every mistake is magnified. One slip on a wet deck? No one’s there to throw you a line. One bad knot? There’s no backup to fix it. One wrong turn? Congratulations, you’re now taking the scenic route around an uncharted sandbar.
Man overboard? Hope you’ve trained your autopilot to come back for you.
Even with all the safety gear in the world, there’s no substitute for a second set of hands—or eyes—to help in a crisis. Especially the kind that involve fire, flooding, or rogue flying spaghetti cans.
5. The Fun Stuff Is Better Shared
Sunset on the water is gorgeous. But have you tried sharing it with someone who can also appreciate it, instead of narrating it to your GoPro?
Solo sailing has its moments, but laughter, adventure, and even chaos are often sweeter when someone else is there to experience it with you—and help open the jam jar that won’t budge.
You can definitely sail alone. But do you always want to?
Final Thought: It’s Not a No… But It’s Definitely a “Think Twice”
Sailing solo can be incredible, life-changing, and deeply fulfilling. But it’s also hard, risky, and occasionally ridiculous. If you go into it prepared, experienced, and with a healthy respect for your own limits, it might be the greatest thing you ever do.
Just… maybe don’t start with a solo Atlantic crossing. Ease into the madness. Bring snacks. Tell Wilson I said hi.
