Gone Floatabout

GONE FLOATABOUT

Adventure | Writing | Photography

About

I’m Ellen, a storyteller with a passion for adventure and the outdoors. I’m an award-winning writer and photographer, a commercial airplane pilot, and ocean sailor. I’ve circumnavigated the world on a small and primitive sloop, voyaged to the polar icecap, and sailed a total of 60,000 nautical miles. Along the way, I’ve worked as a magazine writer and photographer, connecting to readers around the world. I’ve been honored to receive awards for both my sailing voyages and my creative work. I recently pivoted to a new career in aviation: I hold an FAA commercial pilot certificate, rated in single-engine land- and seaplanes and multi-engine land planes.

Ocean Sailing

I’ve sailed 60,000 nautical miles over the world’s oceans, including a circumnavigation of the globe and a voyage to the polar ice edge. I’ve crossed the Equator four times and the Arctic Circle twice; and I’ve weathered hurricane-force winds rounding the Cape of Good Hope. My longest passages have taken me out of sight of land for many weeks at a time. All my voyages have been aboard small and rudimentary boats, and the great majority of the repairs and maintenance has been DIY.

Adventure Writing & Photography

I’ve written for Hawai`i Public Radio, SAIL, Cruising World, Classic Boat, Sailing Today, Pacific Yachting, Alert Diver, Backcountry, and more. My work has comprised a few hundred features, interviews, double-page spreads, covers, book contributions, and shorter articles. You can read a sampling of my published work here.

I’ve been a contributing editor to Ocean Navigator, a Guide on OffCenterHarbor.com, and I wrote a multi-year series for Water Craft. I serve on the Awards Committee of the Cruising Club of America, and I formerly taught writing and history at two small boarding schools. I hold a BA from Yale University.

Aviation

I hold an FAA commercial pilot’s certificate, with ratings in single-engine land and seaplanes and multi-engine land planes. I have experience flying into everything from glacial lakes in Alaska’s mountain wilderness to some of the busiest airspace in the world in New York City. My most meaningful flying was delivering emergency supplies and medicine to the people of Lahaina after the devastating wildfires on Maui in 2023. I’m a volunteer pilot for Angel Flights and giving back to the community is one of my goals as an aviator.

Many thanks to the sponsors and supporters of my sailing voyages