The notorious Spike Africa
by Josef Scaylea

Spike Africa was named after Phillip Marion “Spike” Africa (1906–1984). A sailor, adventurer, craftsman, and legendary waterfront character affectionately known as the “President of the Pacific Ocean.” He went to sea as a teenager and spent a lifetime chasing adventure. His ventures included everything from fishing in Alaska and serving with the Seabees during World War II, to skippering yachts and acting as mate during a Pacific crossing aboard Sterling Hayden’s schooner Wanderer. He eventually became a beloved fixture of the Sausalito waterfront, known for his colorful storytelling, intricate sailor’s knotwork, larger-than-life personality, and deep connection to the sea.

The schooner Spike Africa was named in his honor, a tribute to both the man and the maritime culture he represented. Spike embodied the traditions of seamanship, craftsmanship, adventure, storytelling, and a life lived close to the water. Today, the schooner carries his name and that spirit forward—inviting a new generation aboard to experience the sea not simply as passengers, but as part of the adventure.

History of the Schooner

Who was Spike Africa?

The wooden topsail schooner Spike Africa was built by renowned sailor and boatbuilder Bob Sloan in Costa Mesa, California, and launched in 1977 after roughly six to seven years of construction. Built largely by Sloan himself, she was created in the tradition of the working schooners of an earlier era and designed from the beginning to earn her way at sea. Spike Africa went to work carrying freight—including gear for racing sailboats competing in the Transpac and races to Mexico—and towing vessels along the Pacific Coast. She made at least three freight voyages to Honolulu and carried cargo as far south as Cabo San Lucas.

After Bob Sloan’s death in 1986, his wife Monika Sloan took over the schooner and continued her working life from Newport Beach. Under Monika, Spike Africa carried passengers for charters, weddings, and memorials at sea, while also finding work in movies, television, commercials, and photo shoots. In later years, the schooner underwent an extensive restoration and began a new chapter as a charter vessel in the Pacific Northwest. She was brought to San Diego, CA in 2025 to begin her new chapter of getting people on the water.