The course will have a lot of upwind....so you want a boat that can take it in the face for days on end.
Though I have not spoken with PJ regarding his proposed route nor timing, I have studied pilot charts, taken world ocean weather classes, and sailed much of his route from California to Australia.
It's surprising to many how much potential off-the-wind sailing PJ could encounter. Certainly most of the way from SF to Torres Straits is in the tradewind belt, good for CHANGABANG. The Torres Straits is the first of 3 "weather gates" with the likelihood of light, variable winds, as well as seasonal cyclones after mid-November.
Thence across the Indian Ocean as far as the Mascarene Islands, Mauritius and the southern tip of Madagascar is again in the tradewind belts...and then to the second gate, Cape Agulhas, as the southern tip of Africa. Getting around Agulhas will be a significant challenge for PJ, much upwind for the last 500 miles along the South African coast with potential post-frontal wind against Agulhas current. Fortunately there is relief from grief with nicely spaced, sheltered anchorages and buoys. Webb Chiles on his Moore-24 recently made this passage, albeit with stops, as well as once getting blown backwards 60 miles overnight.
Once past Cape Agulhas/Cape of Good Hope, it is again tradewind sailing to reach South America and PJ's turning buoy off Argentina. This leg circles the South Atlantic high pressure counter clockwise, fair weather sailing with lighter winds near the center of the High.
The passage down (up?) to Cape Horn will be into increasing southwest headwinds in the lee of the South American continent. This could be PJ's most difficult leg. But there are also anchorages of refuge and mooring buoys in both the Falkland Islands and along the mainland, as well as just inside the Straits of Magellan, if needed. (Note to PJ: don't trust those Danforth imitation French anchors...)
Rounding Cape Horn east to west depends on catching a weather window when the prevailing westerlies in the Drake Passage are taking a nap. Though I would not suggest it without being able to power, PJ's route does not necessarily require leaving Cape Horn to starboard. He could go through the channels and fjords further north, or beat upwind through the Straits of Magellan, leaving Cape Horn to port. But then he doesn't get his earring, hihi.
Once past the tip of South American, north of latitude 50 south, the westerlies increasingly fair and diminish in intensity. As well, the Humboldt Current provides a good push into the SE tradewind belt. No need to go close-hauled all the way to the ITCZ at 8-10 degrees N. Just follow the well trod "Clipper Route."
Once in the NE trades, PJ is almost home free. Close reaching would have CHANGABANG leaving the Hawaiian Islands well to port (west). Approaching the Eastern Pacific High Pressure Ridge near 30N, he'd stick his bow into the High, tack to port, and close reach towards the barn.
How much close-hauled is this guesstimation? Probably 25% of PJ's route is with the wind forward of abeam. About 6,000 miles....that's alot. But doable..In 1997 I sailed WILDFLOWER 6,000 miles mostly upwind from New Zealand to Santa Cruz, including 30 days on starboard tack..Had everything including the anchor, 50 feet of chain, folding bike, water jugs, and deflated dinghy hanging over the starboard side of my 27 footer. It took me several hours to tack nearing Kauai.
