Are you familiar with Tania Aebi? In 1985 at the ripe age of 18 years old, Tania along with her cat, cast off from South Street Seaport, NY to begin her voyage around the world on her Contessa 26-foot sloop, Varuna. Aebi then sailed 27,000 miles around the globe – ALONE. This opportunity had been offered to her by her father as an alternative to a college education, and she took him up on it.
Tania had practically no sailing or navigation experience when she departed on her journey on May 28,1985. She taught herself to navigate by the stars, using a sextant. She had to deal with severe weather, mechanical breakdowns and malfunctions. She suffered through a terrifying collision with a tanker in the Mediterranean and a lightning storm off the coast of Gibraltar. This incredible journey taught Tania to conquer her fears and face them head on. Tania’s journey had her cross the Caribbean, the South Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, and the North Atlantic, stopping in 23 countries along the way. Tania returned to NY in November 1987, making her the first American women, and also the youngest person, to circumnavigate the globe solo.
Since her return, Tania has written her bestselling book Maiden Voyage, a personal account of her incredible and inspirational journey. These days Aebi lives in New England with her two boys, and has gone back to school earning her BA and MFA. She earned her captain’s license and leads a learn-to-sail 10 flotillas in several countries around the world.
While KellyBoat can’t take you around the globe, we can certainly show you some amazing sites you can’t see from land. We invite you to Explore Our Fleet, and book a charter from one of our home ports to begin your adventure at sea!
