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What is the smallest boat that can safely cross the Pacific?
I'm not concerned with speed or size. I want to know what type of boat, or how big one has to be, in order to cross the Pacific Ocean. Preferably something with sails or at least oars since I don't want to depend on gas. I'm not saying I'm going to try and cross the Pacific, I'm just curious since whenever I look up boat types hey never mention how durable it is in potentially rough seas.
So in short, can anyone give me an idea of what a boat needs to be able to go into open waters that won't tip over the second the wind turns up. Preferably not motor powered and too big (expensive).
Thanks but the Kon Tiki as far I I saw was a single boat and not really something you could go out and buy. But when it comes to staying small and wind powered thumbs up 
WOW! What a great idea... I am glad you are asking these questions so early in your dreaming and planning process.
Robin Lee Graham was the very first teenager to solo sail around the world. He did it in a 24 foot sailing sloop. (A sloop is a single masted sailboat - which is most popular and easy to learn and sail by one person.)
There are differences however in sailboats... Most mass produced sailboats are built and designed for sailing on inland lakes, and coastal waters. These sailboats are light weight and light rigged fair weather boats.
To cross an ocean, (especially the Pacific) you need a true offshore blue water vessel. These can be identified by their weight (they are much heavier vessels) and by their long, full length, or 3/4 length weighted keels. These vessels are designed to keep themselves and their short-handed crew safe for long periods of time, and far from land. They are stronger, heavier, sturdier, and amoung other things - "self-righting" so, if the wind or waves knock the boat over in the water - these vessels will turn themselves back up-right. (Sure, you'll get wet - but you won't be stranded in the middle of the Pacific in a life raft.)
How can you identify these "blue water" boats? Aside from their big heavy long keels - they will have small windows, and small self bailing cockpits, as well as a solid bridge deck between the cockpit floor and the door leading down to the cabin area. These vessels also have better and stronger everything... the mast guage is thicker, the guide wires and rigging is stronger, and all the latches, hatches, cleats, fittings, are tighter and stronger. Most all of them will have an installed "fresh water maker" - unless a previous owner removed it.
It is important to remember, that "weight" and "length" have very much to do with "sea kindliness". The longer and heavier boat will treat you with a smoother ride then the same length boat that is much lighter. The real difference to you... (other then safety) is that a true "blue water" boat will mean the diffence in you being seasick 40% of the time vs 4% of the time.
If one takes their time, and looks hard - you can find these vessels in the 24' to 30' size on the used market for as little as $20,000... Course, when that time rolls around, you will want to "demand" a Certifified Marine Survey on the boat to insure you are buying a good solid and safe vessel.
So... do your homework - and do your boat searches for "blue water" or "passage making" sailboats...
Happy and Safe Boating!
Capt.John
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