Sailing 9,300 Miles to Van Isle Marina From Australia – Meet Adak
After sailing more than 9,300 nautical miles across the Pacific and along the coast of Alaska, Adak, a 53-foot aluminum expedition sailboat, has arrived at Van Isle Marina at the end of October.
Built in France in 1998, Adak was purchased in New Zealand earlier this year by Jean Peccoud, a French-American scientist and sailor. In May, she departed New Zealand on a four-month expedition that took her through New Caledonia, the Marshall Islands, the Aleutian Islands, and the spectacular coastline of Alaska before reaching Victoria in September.
The voyage was the first expedition of Ice Frontiers, a project drawing on lessons from high-latitude sailing expeditions to explore how we can live with a changing climate.
Adak is now out of the water in Van Isle Marina’s Yacht Park, where she is undergoing a substantial winter refit with Philbrook’s in preparation for another expedition in 2027. The work includes new sails, improvements to the rigging and propulsion systems, and extensive electrical upgrades. New aluminum structures will provide better protection for the crew and simplify tender operations. Together, these modifications are intended to make the boat safer and easier to operate with a small crew in remote waters.
The next expedition will focus on the Aleutian Islands, one of the most remote and challenging cruising grounds in the North Pacific.
While Adak is being prepared for her next voyage, Jean hopes to get to know the local sailing community. He would welcome opportunities to meet local sailors and join them on the water during the winter. He also hopes to invite local sailors aboard Adak when she returns to the water in the spring. Jean is interested in presenting Ice Frontiers to yacht clubs, schools, universities, and other community organizations, exploring what sailing expeditions can teach us about living with a changing climate.
Anyone interested in the project, or simply curious about Adak and her travels, is encouraged to get in touch through the Ice Frontiers website.
A few images from the journey!
