Michael Elia and his daughter, Chloe, spent years sailing on the west coast of Mexico before making the journey west to Fiji.
Michael Elia and his daughter, Chloe, spent years sailing on the west coast of Mexico before making the journey west to Fiji. Credit: Courtesy photo

Sailing across the Pacific Ocean is a journey few attempt, and even fewer pull off. The westward route from North America to Asia is a major challenge, even with the equatorial trade winds on your side. 

Making the journey in the other direction is close to impossible — especially if you’re sailing alone, like Michael Elia did for most of the year.

“There’s a saying, ‘Gentlemen don’t sail upwind,’” said Elia, a former Marine who grew up in Santa Barbara. He completed the rare and extremely dangerous trip from Fiji to California this month, sailing solo on his boat, named Promise Kept.

“I was kind of riding the dragon,” he said.

First South, Then West 

Elia’s odyssey began four years ago, when the death of his wife forced him to re-evaluate his and his daughter Chloe’s lives.

“I told her, ‘The world’s a beautiful place. I’m just gonna have to prove it to you,’” Elia said.

The pair sailed south, spending years in Mexico while Chloe used Starlink satellite communication to attend high school online.

Michael Elia's sailboat, Promise Kept, made the incredibly difficult journey across the Pacific and back.
Michael Elia’s sailboat, Promise Kept, made the incredibly difficult journey across the Pacific and back. Credit: Michael Elia photo

Like her father, Chloe has top-notch sailing skills and an adventurous spirit. As her graduation approached, she and her dad decided to go on one more grand journey: from Mexico to the South Pacific. 

Michael Elia and his daughter, Chloe.
Michael Elia and his daughter, Chloe. Credit: Courtesy photo

The pair chronicled their route on Predict Wind, an online platform where friends and family could follow their progress and read their ship log. 

“Our last test was by far the greatest of this passage,” Elia wrote less than two weeks after departing Mexico. The pair had encountered a massive storm that created winds of more than 40 mph, 10-foot waves and intense rain.

“I’m a little banged up, [but] Chloe is fine and amazing,” he wrote. “She did not miss a beat. Quick, strong, thoughtful and my pride just keeps growing for her.”

The pair persisted and made it to Fiji, where they lived for several months. Eventually, Chloe — who had graduated online during the journey — flew home to the United States to attend college. He stayed in Fiji to work on Promise Kept and plan for the most dangerous route yet.

Sailing Eastward

Despite the danger of solo sailing eastward across the Pacific, Elia didn’t feel he had a choice.

“If I had a never-ending supply of money, I probably would’ve relocated to Fiji. I really fell in love with that country,” Elia said. “But the adventure that I set forth to do with my daughter had come and gone. The next part of my story kind of seemed to make more sense to happen [in California].”

Michael Elia’s sailboat, Promise Kept. Credit: Michael Elia photo

Elia began his final trans-Pacific journey in August. The 59-day journey was brutal, as Elia battled unfavorable winds and threats ranging from storms to sharks to near-catastrophic ship damage. 

In one instance, a wayward rope became entangled with his propeller, which could have broken it and stranded him more than 1,000 miles from land. 

“I ultimately had to leave the boat and dive in and cut the rope free,” he said. “A week before that, there was a shark trailing the boat. I’m not afraid of sharks, but it was one of those things that didn’t help the comfort of it.”

During another intense storm, spare diesel fuel tanks broke free and contaminated Elia’s fresh water supply.

“So I just kind of went to Plan D,” he said. “I was opening up corn cans and drinking the water that the corn was packaged in, opening up San Marzano tomatoes and making tomato juice in my mouth.”

The harsh conditions left Elia bruised in both body and spirit. His lifeline was the Starlink, which allowed him to stay connected to loved ones and emergency services. 

Faced with a limited power supply, he chose to prioritize the satellite communication device over other essentials such as his refrigerator.

“I tried to run the Starlink around the clock,” he said. “It was just more important to me than, frankly, almost food.”

Michael Elia hugs his daughter, Chloe, who welcomed him at the Marina del Rey Harbor as he returned to California from his 59-day passage across the Pacific.
Michael Elia hugs his daughter, Chloe, who welcomed him at the Marina del Rey Harbor as he returned to California from his 59-day passage across the Pacific. Credit: David McClintock photo

Safe Harbor

David McClintock, an old friend who played water polo with Elia at Santa Barbara High School, followed the journey intently. Realizing both sailor and sailboat would be in rough shape, he created a GoFundMe to raise money for the many repairs Promise Kept would need. 

“ I knew he wouldn’t probably do it for himself,” McClintock said. “He wouldn’t want to shine a spotlight on himself in that way. He’s a very self-sufficient kind of guy.” 

Michael Elia's sailboat, Promise Kept.
Michael Elia’s sailboat, Promise Kept. Credit: Michael Elia photo

Others were similarly moved by Elia’s story. McClintock, Elia’s daughter, Chloe, and other loved ones organized a surprise reception as Elia finally pulled into the harbor at Marina Del Rey this month.

“ Just as he was entering the harbor, that’s where it all poured out, and he was crying and he was just like, ‘I can’t believe I made it, you know?’” McClintock said.

As of Friday night, McClintock’s GoFundMe had raised about $3,000, but Elia will need a lot more than that to fully repair Promise Kept. McClintock hopes he can raise enough money to get his friend back on his feet.

“That’s really what this is, to get him the recognition he deserves as a sailor to complete this incredible accomplishment, and to see if people are willing to pitch in a little bit and help him rebuild so that he can move forward,” McClintock said. “He deserves some peace in his life and some good news.”

Elia is currently in Marina del Rey, readjusting to life in California and repairing his boat. While he’s “pretty certain” he wouldn’t make the journey again, the former Marine said he’s grateful for the adventure.  

“For me, being a combat vet, it has been very therapeutic to be able to be on the water. It’s a freedom state,” Elia said. “I’m really grateful for what the ocean and this boat in particular have done for me and my family.”