Crossing the Gulf of Alaska | No Turning Back

After nine months of being in Southeast Alaska aboard The Alaskan Gypsy, it was finally time to point the bow north and commit to one of Alaska's most legendary passages: the Gulf of Alaska. Once we rounded Cape Spencer, there were few places to hide and hundreds of miles of open water ahead. What followed was more than 66 hours running nonstop at sea aboard our 80-foot steel schooner. The entire trip lasted 7 days for us and included around rolling swells, endless daylight, whales, porpoises, sunsets, wildlife, a surprise halibut, a surprise meeting up with friends, and even a visit to our past wilderness home site. This trip turned into more than just getting from Southeast to Homer. As we approached Kachemak Bay, memories of another chapter came flooding back. These are the waters where our family first began building the life that eventually led us here. The bays, anchorages, surf charters, old friends, and familiar coastlines that shaped so many years of adventure. Arriving aboard The Alaskan Gypsy felt less like reaching a destination and more like closing a circle. Join us as we cross the Gulf of Alaska, make landfall on the Kenai Peninsula, and return to the waters where this way of life first took root. Chapters 00:00 Leaving Southeast Alaska 00:55 Committed at Cape Spencer 02:29 First Hours in the Gulf 06:56 Sunset at Sea 09:04 The Autopilot Comes Back to Life 12:16 Boat Projects Underway 17:27 Day Two of the Crossing 20:52 Whales in the Open Gulf 23:18 The Reality of an 800-Mile Passage 29:25 Why We're Making This Journey 34:05 Land Appears Again 36:18 Meeting Friends Offshore 41:10 Welcome to the Kenai Peninsula 42:24 Halibut for Dinner 43:14 Finally Out of the Swell 50:10 Incredible Whale Encounter 55:09 Through Wildcat Pass 58:17 Rounding Gore Point 1:04:21 Sailing at Last 1:06:29 Entering Kachemak Bay 1:10:45 Returning to Familiar Waters