"This trip was the first time I didn't have a tracking system and the first time I really would have needed one."

During the nearly seven weeks he was out of reach, Viktoria, his wife, gave no indications that she was anything but totally sure that her husband was alive and that only equipment failure was to blame for their lack of communication.

She kept posting entries on their web page nearly every day, speculating about Gabor's position and how the weather conditions were affecting his voyage.

Rakonczay said that in his solitude he often thought about what his loved ones were likely going through, and was heartened by the faith and confidence of his family in his abilities during the long silence.

"I was positively surprised in those at home ... because everyone was certain that if I run into any difficulties, I'll be able to solve them," Rakonczay said. "It was a great relief to reach port because it meant completing the journey and because my family could finally know for sure that I was OK."