Interviews with CEO, where he stresses that the main problem is not sailing upwind but to get there on time.

https://youtu.be/qhAlImSIDyU

https://youtu.be/QfHJE1UwMTw

Another contender https://youtu.be/xsFc3pro8Y8

(Also FR based, cultural reason?)

Getting there on time is just a figment of the fact that you have to effectively sail further when sailing upwind.

so what you're saying is, there's no problem sailing upwind, you just need to worry about getting there on time?

There's also Grain de Sail. Not only French, all these are from the region of Britanny, sailing is very cultural.

Nit: Brittany. With greetings from Saint-Malo ;)

I’ve been looking for a reasonable way to get me and my motorcycle to Europe and back (rentals of my bike are $300/day, and I want to ride off-road occasionally, which isn’t great for rentals). I’ve also always wanted to sail the ocean. This could be a win.

Often when you see people on TV doing "around the world" stuff, they actually buy separate motorcycles for each continent, often moving accessories and such over to the next bike. Given the logistical costs for such endevours, the extra bikes are not a big deal and bypass most all the registrarion/insurance issues.

I’ve considered that too- particularly for riding Asia. I do wonder the logistics too of a foreigner buying a vehicle and getting all the paperwork in line, and selling it then; but it might still be easier and cheaper on the balance

Have You checked the validity of registration/insurance? I'm kinda curious about doing it the other way and trying some BDRs) maybe in a few years)

I regularly see groups of riders with European plates on their bikes, traveling up and down Highway 1 - a very scenic and twisty road up the California coast. So, it must be doable without too much problem.

Generally you pack it into a crate and fly it. You may well need a Carnet and/or other paperwork, and it only makes sense for longer trips.

Consider buying a bike in Europe instead - generally cheaper and you can get something more appropriate to the terrain.

Bear in mind that US cars are designed to cope with poor quality fuel with sulphur in it. Bringing an European spec car with engines not designed for use in the US may result in expensive damage.

This is based on what I learned 30 years ago so this may be out of date now.

This is still true for diesel vehicles. I don't think it was ever true for gasoline vehicles since lubricity doesn't really matter for them.

That said, a lot of the relevant key components are technically capable of operation on either though doing so in reality can be more complicated.