"I remember when I sailed across the river when I was 5, and that was a big deal."
Dekker crossed the English Channel at the age of 13 and shortly afterwards announced her intention to sail around the world.
She was placed in the care of Dutch child protection services, but after a drawn-out court battle with authorities was eventually allowed to embark on her record-breaking journey.
Dekker, who grew up on her father's boat, had been planning the trip since she was 8 and had no intention of letting anything deter her.
"It wasn't even an option for me, it was definitely going to happen one way or another. But it was definitely sad that it was so difficult ... I was ready and I just wanted to go and I couldn't, so it was a bit of a pain."
Although initially reluctant, her parents eventually supported her decision.
"My dad knew me very well. He knew what I was capable of and what I could do, and would do, in certain situations because he was just always there, and he's sailed with me often."
Having support from parents who understood and encouraged them was crucial for children to realise their goals, she said.
"A big part is the parents. If they don't believe in their kids and they don't know what they're capable of, then the kids will never do anything because the parents tell them they can't.
"Kids are often capable of way more than adults think."
Although her situation gained her world-wide attention, it was never something she actively sought.
"I would never have brought it out in the media. I guess people would have picked it up eventually and it would have probably got the same way but I didn't really expect that.
"I just thought I'm going to sail around the world, who will care about that, a lot of people do that. It was quite a big shock."
Being the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe was never her primary goal, although she did delay a stop over in New Zealand in order to set the record, she said.
"When I set off I was aware that it would be possible. I did sail past New Zealand and I didn't stop on the way which I found really sad because I really wanted to see it.
"But it was at that point that I thought I could be the youngest, but if I stop I wouldn't be, so that's why I finished and then moved to New Zealand."
Dekker, who was born in New Zealand, now lives aboard her boat, Guppy, in Whangarei.
She has no plans to return to Holland permanently, and is happy to call New Zealand home for now.
"It's funny because people always ask me 'where are you from?' and I have no idea - I still don't really know but I say New Zealand ... Guppy's home - wherever Guppy is, is home."
She is unsure what her future will hold, but sailing will definitely play a big role.
"I'm not too big on planning how my life is going to go - for now I'm just happy travelling and sharing my story, and the book is exciting. I'll see where it goes."
