BeeRich... I'm certain the following is an *extreme* example of
what you might be looking for:

At this very moment there is a loung lady... Dee Caffari... the
*sole* occupant aboard the S/V Aviva... a 72' Challenge Class
yacht... making her way down in the Southern Ocean attempting
a circumnavigation the "hard way" meaning Westbound from England.

The aformentioned vessel is state of the art... the skipper very well
qualified...and owners/sponsors with "deep pockets"!

Though not necessarily an appropriate consideration for you... the
above illustrates what can be done along the lines of what you have
been talking about.

Best regards

Bill

Refer: http://www.avivachallenge.com