Sailing around the world

Zac Sunderland, 16, works on the rigging at the top of the main mast of his 36-foot sailboat as he prepares for a solo around-the-world trip from Marina del Rey.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Zac Sunderland, 16, prepares his 36-foot sailboat in Marina del Rey for an attempt to solo-sail around the world. Rafael Ochoa, right, a boat builder and rigger, is helping Sunderland prepare the rigging.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Zac Sunderland, 16, works in the cabin of his 36-foot Islander sailboat in Marina del Rey, trying to get it ready for a solo-sail around the world.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Zac Sunderland checks on his customized control center for the marine electronics that will assist him at sea aboard his 36-foot Islander sailboat.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Zac Sunderland, left, shows a proposed route for his around-the-world solo-sail to his 9-year-old sister Jessica, 10-year-old brother Toby and his father Laurence.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Zac Sunderland, center, is surrounded by several members of his family, from left: father Laurence; brother Toby, 10; mother Marianne; and sister Jessica, 9. Zac, 16, before his solo-sail around-the-world trip that began in June from Marina del Rey.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Zac Sunderland, 16, aboard his 36-foot Islander sailboat, docked in Marina Del Rey. Sunderland is preparing for a solo-sail around the world, hoping to become the youngest sailor to have solo-circumnavigated the globe, and the first to complete the circumnavigation before turning 18.  (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Map  (Lorena Iniguez / Los Angeles Times)