Akela is a two-masted sailing boat called a Hardin Sea Wolf ketch made in Taiwan in 1977. ("Akela" is named after the lone wolf in Kipling's Jungle Book.) The Burge family acquired Akela in San Carlos, Mexico in 1999 and spent 15 years cruising aboard Akela in the Sea of Cortez while maintaining a seemingly … Continue reading The Story of Akela
Akela in Fakarava with Jim and Kim’s Family
Chapter 1. Never Be on Two Boats "Oh, no... I'm gonna sink into the sea along with my backpack containing passports, smartphone, laptop, and more!" The epic adventure with Akela is about to start with me screaming as I have a serious dinghy (small boat connecting Akela and shore) problem, which just lost its balance due … Continue reading Akela in Fakarava with Jim and Kim’s Family
Schoepfs in Fakarava!
Fakarava pictures, video, and story by Brian and Susie Schoepf I was a little hesitant to spend 10 days on a boat with my brother, sister-in-law and husband. What do I pack? What will we eat? What will we do? Will I be seasick? The list of questions goes on and on but were all … Continue reading Schoepfs in Fakarava!
A New Chapter
So what does a man do when his world is turned upside-down and inside-out? Out of breath 60 feet under the sea, looking for light find out which way to the surface? Having forgotten how to cry, now sobbing hysterically. Max wasn’t just first mate on our little ship. For the past year and a … Continue reading A New Chapter
A Tragic End
Our adventure was brought to a tragic end on July 16, 2019 when Max's life flickered out at our home in Tucson. This came out of the blue and we don't understand it. Max was healthy, surrounded by loving family and friends, and was excited about his plans for the future. As you can imagine, … Continue reading A Tragic End
Back to the South Seas
In January, Jim went back to USA for a couple of months, and Max sailed aboard Poppy with the Schlegels, the Danish family that we encountered in Moorea. Jim returned to Polynesia in March, meeting Max in Nuku Hiva. We sailed Akela from the Marquesas Islands to the Tuamotos, when we tried our hand at … Continue reading Back to the South Seas
The man from Nantucket
Out in the big ocean blue With not anything to do Just burning up time We’re making up rhymes Songs, limericks, and Haikus While crossing the sea in a gale The water came over the rail Day after day We take waves and spray And even caught squid in the sail I’m off to go … Continue reading The man from Nantucket
Haiku Day
Haiku Day It is haiku day Calm winds, fair seas, no one sick We’re just killing time A haiku haiku Five seven five of haikus Think we can do it? My brain feels so slow Haikus haikus everywhere Not a thought to think So close to nature Always living on the edge Can’t just plug … Continue reading Haiku Day
Open water passages
"Open Water Passages" by Max
What now?
When we started this adventure, we planned to spend a year in the South Pacific. That year has come and gone. We have had exciting times, seen beautiful places, made new friends, and sailed thousands of miles. We tried to moor Akela in Tahiti for a few months, but there was no safe harbor there. … Continue reading What now?
Merry Christmas
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas! It's Christmas Eve and Max and I are heading offshore from Tahiti for a three or four day sail to the Tuamotus. We expect to make Fakarava by Thursday. If the weather is good, we will make Makemo my Friday. We plan to wait in Makemo for … Continue reading Merry Christmas