Catamaran Sailing In Ice! (Antarctica, Patagonia, and Beyond)

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The first double-hulled sailing boat was built in 1662, but these fantastic boats only became widespread in the 19th century. Today catamarans are some of the most popular and successful boats available. These boats are highly versatile and used for racing, cruises, and ferries, but how do they handle rougher waters, such as those with ice?

Catamarans can sail in ice (to Antarctica, Alaska etc); however, not all cats are built the same. Catamarans with metal hulls are much more suited for high latitude sailing. Cats constructed from fibreglass or reinforced plastic must be cautious and stay clear of high-risk areas.

In this article, I will discuss whether you can sail a catamaran to Alaska and Antarctica, if metal boats are better suited for dealing with sea ice than composite boats and how far north you can sail with a fiberglass catamaran.

Table of Contents

Can You Sail a Catamaran to Alaska?

Catamarans are some of the safest boats you get, and cruiser catamarans are even capable of circumnavigation.

Catamarans can sail to Alaska. Cruiser catamarans are most recommended for this type of travel due to their sturdy construction and superior handling. Cruiser cats should be equipped with twin diesel engines to provide the necessary power needed for high latitude sailing.

Sailing to Alaska can be a memorable adventure, but you must take precautions.

If you plan to travel to Utqiagvik, located in the northernmost parts of Alaska, you have to be prepared for the continental climate. With a high latitude of 71°, the waters can be dangerous to traverse if your boat is not equipped to handle it.

When planning a sailing trip to the arctic ocean, you need to consider the seasons. During the winter, the northernmost part of Alaska experiences a polar night which consists of 65 days of night.

Sailing in complete darkness can be dangerous. Glacier ice is tough, and if you are not adequately prepared, it can crack and break your hull.

Can a Catamaran Sail to Antarctica (Composite Boat)?

Antarctica is a beautiful continent and the fifth largest globally, but it has no permanent residents despite its beauty and size. It is situated south of the Antarctic Circle and has a latitude of 90° South and a longitude of 0° East.

Composite cruiser catamarans can sail to Antarctica. Their construction is strong, sturdy, and powerful. However, the two hulls will need to be reinforced with stainless steel or kevlar sheaths for protection against glacial ice. A metal hull catamaran is recommended for a voyage to Antarctica.

A journey to Antarctica might be the most rewarding but challenging adventure you will ever embark on.

Antarctica is surrounded by the Southern Ocean and is almost completely covered in snow. Because of these extreme conditions, it has no permanent inhabitants, the only people living there are research teams, and even they don’t stay throughout the entire year.

During the winter, Antarctica can get as cold as – 81 °F (-62 °C) and is the driest and windiest continent globally.

Sailing Your Catamaran to Antarctica

I suggest planning your journey years ahead of time to ensure that your boat is ready and that you have all the necessary equipment and skills you may need. Whether you take a transatlantic or transpacific route, you will have to take everything you need with you as there won’t be anywhere to stop once you have reached the arctic or southern ocean.

If your boat breaks and needs to be repaired, you will have to be able to fix it yourself as there aren’t going to be any marine mechanics out there to help you.

Preparing Your Catamaran

Preparing your composite boat before taking off for Antarctica is one of the most important things you can do. It is a long journey, and as you get closer to your destination, you need to be prepared for extreme weather and glacial ice.

Your hull needs to be strong enough to take the impact of glacial ice. Fibreglass and reinforced plastic are strong and durable but might not be strong enough for an arctic adventure. To ensure that your hull stays in one piece, you should fit it with a stainless steel or kevlar sheath. A fibreglass hull without reinforcement can lead to devastating consequences.
Make sure that your catamaran is equipped with two diesel engines. A voyage to Antarctica requires a big boat with a lot of power to navigate the unpredictable climate and icy water, so it must be strong enough to produce the necessary horsepower and having two is important if one were to break down. It is best to avoid high-risk areas, but this isn’t always possible if you are sailing along the coast where strong winds cause cyclonic storms.
Always have spare propeller blades. Hitting a glacier can cause your propeller to break. Make sure to use stainless steel blades and know how to fit them.

Service your engine before setting off on a high latitude sailing adventure. Make sure to install all new parts and filters.
Check your battery. If it is old, consider buying a new one.
Check your gearbox and replace the oil. Always keep some extra oil at hand on a long voyage.
Make sure you have enough diesel to make it to your destination and back. You can take extra diesel with you in a storage tank. Ensure that your storage tanks are secure as you do not want any spills, which can easily happen in rough waters.

You should have a strong anchor and chain. When katabatic winds hit, you want to be able to secure your boat, so an anchor is a necessity. Also, make sure to have a spare anchor and lots of chain and rope as it is possible for you to lose an anchor in rough conditions.
Make sure your escape hatches are in good working condition. Catamarans are stable, and if you are careful and make sure your boat is in good condition for ocean and sea ice sailing, you should be just fine. There is always the slight possibility of capsizing any boat though, and if this happens, you do not want to be stuck because you forgot to check your escape hatches.

Why Metal Boats Are Better Suited Than Composite Boats

Boats come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. From small canoes to speed boats and yachts, they all have their own purpose. Boats are also made from different materials; some are made from plastic, while others are made from fibreglass, carbon fibre, or metal.

When racing, you want a lightweight boat with excellent handling. Fibreglass or carbon fibre will be your best option to get the desired results, but metal is the best option for sailing in ice.

Fibreglass catamarans can sail in ice, but you must be extra cautious. Fibreglass is an excellent material for boats but can crack if you hit glacial ice or have to do a grounding on rough terrain.

Metal is a much stronger material than fibreglass or plastic and will be able to withstand the treacherous arctic water and ice with less difficulty. If you hit glacial ice with a metal hull, it might dent but shouldn’t crack or break.

One of the very rare aluminum catamarans in production

It will take a lot of force to actually break a metal hull, which is the assurance you need when sailing to the most remote part of the world. Weather conditions in the arctic are horrendous, and you will be fighting the cold, dry air; you don’t need a catastrophe like a leak in your hull on top of that.

Metal hulls can also handle a rough grounding at high speed much better. The hull might scratch and dent, but it will take a lot to break, so if you find yourself in a situation where you have to ground your boat, you can feel much more “at ease doing” so with a metal hull.

Ice isn’t the only thing you have to worry about, although it should be your primary concern. You may encounter cyclonic storms when sailing along Antarctica’s coastal areas such as the Antarctic Peninsula, Wilke Land, and Ross Island.

Cyclonic storms bring high-speed winds and can displace sea ice. You do not want to be caught in one of these storms, especially not a boat that is ill-equipped to handle it.

Regardless of which material your boat is constructed from, it is always safer to stay out of high-risk areas and be sure to have an escape route planned out.

How Far North Can You Sail a Catamaran (Fibreglass Hull)?

Sailing north in a fibreglass catamaran can be dangerous. The Arctic ocean is full of sea ice, and sailing at such high latitudes challenges even the most experienced sailors.

Alaska or Iceland is the farthest north you should go with a fibreglass catamaran. There will still be sea ice, and you will have to be careful not to hit any hard pieces, or you might crack your hull. But much less than further north.

The North Pole is one of the most dangerous places to sail and should not be attempted.

If you want to sail north with a fibreglass hull Catamaran, you can consider visiting places like The Faroe Islands and Baffin Islands. It will still be high latitude sailing but safer than heading out to Alaska.

It is possible to explore the ocean around Alaska in a Fibreglass hull catamaran, but you should reinforce your hull in case of an unexpected grounding or hitting glacial ice as mentioned above.

If you want to explore further north, you should only attempt it with a metal hull boat. It is still dangerous but possible for an experienced sailor.

With the right boat and enough experience, you can sail to The Northwest Passage, which is considered one of the most treacherous sailing voyagers. You can also attempt sailing to Kaffeklubben Island, a small island off the tip of Greenland.

Kaffeklubben island does not have any residents and is the most northerly landmass ever discovered. The island has a high latitude of 83° and should only be attempted to reach by the most capable sailors.

Personal Safety on an Arctic Voyage

When taking on the Arctic Ocean or Sailing to the South Pole, you need to ensure that your boat is equipped with all the necessary safety equipment you might need. You have to take care of your own health and your crew. If any of you get sick or injured, you might not be able to get the help you need in time.

Essential Safety Equipment

Marine magnetic compass. Getting lost in rough waters or sea ice is not a good idea, and you have to be able to find your way quickly. You can get something like a TurnOnSport Boat Compass from Amazon, which features an incandescent light to help you navigate at night. Always ensure that you have an extra compass stored on your body.
Flashlights and headlights. Your boat should be equipped with the necessary lighting, but travelling in high latitude can mean days of darkness. Make sure to have extra flashlights and headlights on hand.
Marine radio. Ensure that you have more than one way to contact emergency services if necessary. A cell phone is useful but might not have a signal, make sure you have a VHF radio and two-way radios.
Fire Extinguisher. You might not think that a fire can break out on a boat in the middle of the ocean, but it is possible. Always make sure you have fully serviced fire extinguishers on board.
Lifejackets, liferafts, and flotation devices. Each crew member needs their own lifejacket, and there should be enough life rafts on the boat for the entire crew. You also need flotation devices on board, such as a cushion or ring buoy.

Medical kit. Nobody wants to get sick or injured, but it happens. Make sure you have a fully stocked medical kit to take care of any unplanned injuries.
Drinking water and food. It might seem obvious but make sure you have enough clean drinking water. You should have drinking water tanks and a dry place to store your food.

These are a few of the most important things, but there are many items you need on an arctic trip. You should always have a knife on you, sunscreen to protect you against the dangerous rays, and warm clothes. You should also have some oars and paddles as well as buckets and ice-poles on board.

Final Thoughts

Sailing in sea ice with a catamaran can be exciting, but it is also extremely dangerous. You should always have all the necessary safety equipment on your boat and navigate the water carefully.

Metal hulls are much stronger than composite hulls and will better withstand glacial ice, rough groundings, and cyclonic storms. That does not mean that you cannot sail in ice with a composite boat, but you will have to take the proper precautions and stay clear of high-risk areas.

Sources

Britannica: Kaffeklubben Island