I asked that question a few years ago when I visited the South end of New Zealand--to Steward Island. The recreational boats down there looked like submarines. Pilot houses with very thick glass and rotating screens--double cam locks on all doors, all steel boats, with rounded hulls and canoe sterns. In other almost like surf motor lifeboats. The boat has to be able to take waves from aft or abeam and survive. On the other hand--those who go around the world the "wrong way" are doing it for records--not for pleasure. I don't see any reason to go around the Southern ocean--even if one wants to go to Anartica--just go directly from S. America. Bob Austin