July 20, 2020: After three false starts, I was finally on my way back to Akela, which had been abandoned in Taiohae Bay, Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia. I had two bags packed full of replacement parts, tools, spares, provisions, and clothes that I will need for the 2000 mile sail to Hawaii, followed by a … Continue reading Bound for Hawaii
Marquesan Festival
(posted by Matt) I eagerly told friends and family that Jungin and I are going to the Marquesas. The usual reply was, “Where are the Marquesas again?” The Marquesas Islands are the furthest island group in the world from any continent. The islands are about 1,900 miles south of Hawaii, which puts them 500 miles … Continue reading Marquesan Festival
On the road to the Marquesas Festival
(posted by Marine) In November, Jim accepted 2 new crewmates on Akela : Nico and me, Marine, two dive instructors from Fakarava, dreaming to come back to the Marquesas Islands for the festival on Ua Pou in December. The first step was Tetamanu, in the south of Fakarava to dive with the gang on two … Continue reading On the road to the Marquesas Festival
Akela in Fakarava with Jim and Kim’s Family
(posted by Dae Wook) 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 … 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
Pictures from Raiatea/Tahaa
The islands of Raiatea and Tahaa are next to each other and they share a single reef. We met my longtime sailing buddy Doug at the Raiatea airport and spent 2 weeks exploring the two islands. Here are some pictures.
The boatyard in Paradise
We started our adventure last January in the Koehler boatyard in the San Diego where we repainted Akela's bottom and rebuilt all of the rigging. Since then, Akela has survived storms, giant waves, and even running into a hidden coral reef in Raroia with very few problems. The damage from the reef appeared to be … Continue reading The boatyard in Paradise
Huahine
We filled our fuel tanks (60 gallons in the belly tank and two 20 gallon drums on deck) and sailed Northwest out of Tahiti in the early afternoon Friday under light winds. Once we got 10 miles offshore, the winds filled in and we moved nicely at 6 knots under full sail towards the island … Continue reading Huahine
Sail Akela 