Crew Wanted: Honokohau to Nawiliwili

[danisinger]

I've had enough sailing Hawaii, as South Point of the big island was he straw that broke the camel's back! Who would like to crew with my fiancé up to Nawiliwili on Kauai from Honokohau, big island? We have a 35 foot Cal that we sailed here from southern CA. She's seaworthy and comfortable. We're looking to leave ASAP.

Please contact daniellesinger1 at gmail dot com with a bit of your experience and contact info. Thanks so much!

[Rou-Coo]

What happened? Just a couple of weeks ago you said:
"This place is so wonderful, it's a pity I hear many yachties complain about how unfriendly Hawaii is to cruisers. We've experienced nothing but aloha!"

[danisinger]

Haha, that's still very true! I love these people and their paradise.

It's the sailing around/between islands that is wearing on me, even after crossing the pacific. I guess I'm just a wuss! Conditions are not even really that bad right now.

Well, at least I'm glad we did a practice run to Hawaii instead of the full south pacific run to New Zealand that we were aiming for

[donradcliffe]

Listening to the VHF weather reports in Hawaii, South Point ALWAYS has the highest winds in the islands. When the tradewinds are blowing 20-25, the South Point reports are 34 gusting 40. Here in Lahaina its gusting to 10.

Best thing for you to do is leave immediately--the trade are going to build again on Wed. The wind and waves in the channels are quite a bit lower at night. Its an easy trip for you to go to Kawaiiae harbor. Then leave at first light for Maui. Don't go to Maalea--its the second windiest spot on the islands.

[SkiprJohn]

Don said it well. You've done the worst part. It all gets easier from here.

Would you like me to send an email to our club members about the opportunity? Most are living on the Hilo side of the Big Island. I've sent a message to some of them who may be interested but haven't canvassed the whole 165 families yet.

kind regards

[danisinger]

John, that would be great! You are a lifesaver! (vacationsaver too)

As for the calm state of the Alenuihaha right now, I probably really did experience much rougher conditions at South Point and even off the coast of California when we first did our crossing. However, I'm still a chicken and I would prefer to island hop on a plane if I could. This mermaid has lost her sea legs! (sea flippers?)

Thanks, everybody.

[danisinger]

We're here in Kauai, how do I delete this thread?

[SkiprJohn]

Glad you made it. Sorry I don't know how to delete the thread but if folks read through to your last post they'll know not to respond.
Can you give us some details? Or not depending upon how you got there.
kind regards,

[donradcliffe]

Don't worry about deleting this thread, it will die a natural death.

You guys are moving fast--we've only made it as far as the Waikiki Yacht Club. Had a nice time in Maui (Big Makena, Lahaina and Honolua Bay) and Molakai (Kaunakakai).

[danisinger]

Their first passage, from the big island to Oahu, was pretty mellow. From Oahu to Kauai, the winds picked up and it has been howling here in Nawiliwili ever since. They had a pretty stress free transit. I've been keeping our blog updated, if you wish to check it out:

Shenanigans with Jon & Dani

Thanks again to Peter and John for everything! Thanks to everybody else for the advice, too.

[SkiprJohn]

Thanks for the blog update. Glad you are safe and secure in Kauai. I hope the trades let you sail to Hanalei but if they don't you'll at least get to see it by auto.
kindest regards and have a safe journey.

[roverhi]

Do you guys still need crew to make the sail bach to Channel Islands??? If so, there is an Aries Self Steering Vane for sale here in Kona. Looks like one of the latest models, asking $1200. Should be a simple bolt on for your boat but you'd still need to get a wheel adapter. There's a wheel adapter for sale in SF, fyi. Might even be talked into delivering it to you on Kauai if you didn't want to sail back.

I've done many many miles with an Aries and fell in love with the one on our old boat. Self steering will make the trip back a breeze even if you single hand it. Give me a call if you are interested and I'll check it out for you. eightzeroeight eightninefive twothreeonenine.

[danisinger]

Everyone is safe back home in California!

Final time to cruise home was 33 days, 19 hours and 30 minutes...quite a disorganized uncooperative high pressure system this year!

Thanks to everybody for their help and input. This website rocks!