Words & Photos by Taylor Burke
After 25 days at sea, 2,900 nautical miles sailed and not a single shower taken, we made it. What began as a spontaneous “yes” to a last-minute invite turned into the kind of trip that leaves an impact on you forever. We sailed from Mazatlán, Mexico to Hilo, Hawaii aboard Whiskey Soul (@whiskeysoul_sailing), a 1968 Alberg 37, with just enough comfort room for the three of us—Captain Devin Jones, Sarah, and myself. Together, we rationed 350L of fresh water and stretched our provisions with creativity and the occasional fresh caught mahi-mahi. We experienced our fastest speed riding down a wave at 11.6 knots, though most days passed in a slow, steady rhythm that blurred time and stripped life back to its essentials.
In the middle of the Pacific, thousands of miles from land, we found strange beauty in the monotony. Flying fish and swimming birds, bioluminescence lighting up the dark, constellations we’d never seen before—all of it became our new normal. The solitude, the four-hour night watches, the salt in our pores and the creaking of the boat became a kind of meditation. It was the longest stretch I’ve ever spent offline, and in that space, I found what I had been chasing for years: quiet, clarity, and a deeper trust in both myself and the sea. I’m grateful for the experience, for Devin who brought us along, and for the opportunity to live the kind of story I’ve always dreamt of telling.I stored all of my camera gear in a RUX Waterproof Bag, clipped securely to a carabiner under the canopy, where it lived for the entire crossing. Despite 25 days at sea and constantly shifting conditions, it kept all my equipment completely safe and dry.
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