5 of the Youngest Sailors to Sail Around the World

Circumnavigating the world on a sailboat with no second pair of hands or even a friendly face to look at and be reassured all is going to be well, these following five young fearless teens set out and completed what many strive for several years to complete.

Chasing their dreams and going after the type of challenge that is nothing but impressive and life-changing, here are the ones who deserve at least a few rounds of applause from all, not just the World Sailing Speed Record Council, which has already done so…

Here are the bravest and youngest sailors of the last decades.

David Dicks – 18 – Australia

It was February of the year 1996, one that David Dicks surely will not soon forget.

He loaded up and set sail on his 34-foot vessel named "Seaflight" and began a journey that he would soon find out would be filled with four-story-high waves, mechanical issues, fits of food poisoning, and plenty of grave challenges.

Although he set out to obtain a record for nonstop NON-assisted circumnavigation, he ended up having to accept an essential bolt from the British Royal Navy. This moment was crucial, as without it, it wouldn’t have been possible to finish. His journey was completed in November 1996, and he has since been recognised as an Australian hero.

Jesse Martin – 17 – Australia

Another Aussie, who just so happened to be only a couple of weeks older than David Dicks, set out on his extraordinary journey that lasted from December 1998 to October 1999.

Making the necessary precautions, Jesse avoided having to need assistance, meaning that he ended up sailing non-assisted during his time-out at sea aboard his boat named Lion heart-Mistral. His 27,000-nautical mile journey can all be accounted for in his book “Lion Heart: A Journey of the Human Spirit”.

Jesse Martin's remarkable voyage made him one of the youngest people to sail solo around the world.

Zac Sunderland – 16 – USA

A California native, who managed to save up a total of $6500 from his after school job, making him free of any corporate sponsorship, Zac Sunderland pursued one dream – to sail around the world completely solo.

He became the first person younger than 18 to achieve this feat from June 2008 to July 2009. An extremely impressive journey aboard his boat named Intrepid, it was only a matter of weeks until the young sailor below snatched up his title.

Michael Perham – 17 – England

November 2008 saw the sails of Michael Perham, a son of a merchant naval officer and the grandson of a man who served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War, take off as he set out to claim the unofficial title of the youngest person to sail solo around the world.

His 50-foot yacht held up to its abilities, and he returned in August 2009 at the age of 17 years and 164 days old.

Laura Dekker – 16 – Netherlands

And finally, one girl takes on the boys.

A 16-year-old from the Netherlands with the ambition of many and the courage of a lion decided to head out in January 2011 on her boat named Guppy. Born in Whangārei, New Zealand, Laura Dekker's upbringing on the water played a significant role in shaping her identity as a sailor.

Despite resistance from the Dutch government to keep her from embarking on her trip via a child protection authority, it was later lifted. This meant she would successfully claim the new title of the youngest to sail around the world solo. She navigated through the Panama Canal, marking a significant milestone in her journey.

Conclusion

With such courage, ambition, eagerness, and downright guts, the five youngest sailors have gone on to be considered some bravest not only of their age but of the entire sailing community.

Facing harsh winds and weather, challenges of navigation, and the fight of loneliness, they were able to come out victorious and accomplish something so many have tried and failed to do.

Now, with more progressions being made yearly and the ability to have a whole world of knowledge and preparation materials right at our fingertips, it is only a matter of time before several more set out on this same journey: to sail around the world solo.

And until then, we will be eagerly awaiting their arrival.