West Coast USA - Philippines Via Hawaii? Seeking advice.

[Renegde_Sailor]

Howdy everyone!

I am currently up in Alaska on my Spencer 42 planning to be back in Washington by the end of Summer, then going to punch out and head down the coast after the Wooden Boat festival in Port Townsend.

The question I have for you all is I am prepping for that first big ocean crossing going to Hawaii, then the Philippines via Guam. (A good friend of mine is in the Navy there so I want to surprise him)

I can either jump off from Catalina Island after visiting a friend there, or I can sail further south to Mexico and jump off from Cabo San Lucas.

Between the two routes:

■ Catalina - Honolulu = 2,218NM 18.5D @ 5K

■ Cabo - Honolulu = 2,668NM 22.25D @5K

To my understanding going a bit further south would put me more in the trades avoiding the Pacific high, I am looking at taking off in October-November if I do from Catalina, otherwise it will be December-January from Cabo.

The next leg from Hawaii to Guam has a couple of options that I have found.

■ Honolulu - Guam Direct = 3,322NM 27.75D @ 5K

Or

■ Honolulu - Kwajalein = 2,216NM 17.63D @ 5K
■ Kwajalein - Guam = 1,383NM 11.5D @ 5K

Then

■ Guam - Leyte = 1,137 NM 9.5D @ 5K

This is what I am looking at right now, trying to figure out best options, and perhaps there are some islands along the way I am missing, keep in mind I have just started seriously looking at this so there is probably a lot I am missing here.

What I would like to know from those of you who have done this before is:

• Did you take a similar route?
• Did you stop other places?
• What other advice might you have to offer?

Thanks!