ABOUT US
Amicus II is our custom built 40' steel cutter. She weighs 25,000 lbs., has a 11.5' beam and a 5.5' draft. She carries 100 gallons of water and 70 gallons of diesel fuel. Her 54 hp. diesel engine provides plenty of power when the wind dies. Because of her heavy full keel and stout rig she is extremely stable and moves through the waves with ease and comfort. Her hard dodger and deep comfortable cockpit provide shelter from the elements when the weather kicks up. She sleeps eight, carries all essential safety gear and electronics, and has an ample galley. She has both a composting head and a traditional marine head, two 120- watt solar panels and wind generator to greatly increase our cruising range and self sufficiency. All in all she exemplifies the three pillars of our cruising philosophy: Safety, Self-Sufficiency and Seaworthiness.
Mark and Katya Gordon are co-owners of Amicus Adventure Sailing, a small family-owned charter sailing business that operates out of Knife River, MN. Mark (captain) has more than 25 years experience in directing wilderness programs and leading wilderness trips with people of all ages and over 18 years as a licensed Captain and EMT. He has climbed, skied, hiked and canoed throughout North America and bought his first sailboat in 1985 and has been sailing his various boats every since. Katya (first mate) is a lifelong sailor and is a veteran of outdoor wilderness experiences, with more than 15 years of experience leading trips in mountains, lakes, deserts, rivers, and oceans. She is an advanced facilitator and trainer in restorative justice, restorative processes and circle keeping. Together they have sailed thousands of miles on Lake Superior and beyond with their their two daughters, Cedar (9) and Lamar (6) In 2007 they completed a year long, 5,000 sailing trip to the Bahamas and back from Lake Superior with their two daughters (ages 2 and 4) aboard Amicus - a 34 foot steel ketch.
"Our vision as a family, and as Amicus Adventure Sailing, has always been to take people sailing with us - two hours to two weeks or more, as we say. What is closest to our hearts is to eat, sleep, and live on board as a tight group as we sail to remote anchorages together."
