Vancouver to Hawaii and back?

[youngson]

Hey guys,

just wondering if any of you have done this trek or if any of you know about making this passage. im interested in sailing to hawaii from vancouver then sailing back.

any info appreciated thanks!

[jackdale]

I have sailed back (HI to Vancouver) three times.

Getting to HI is easier than getting back.

Is there any in particular you need to know?

The biggest issue is the Pacific High.

[robert sailor]

Done that trip 4 times, ask away.

[youngson]

Thanks for the quick reply guys,
ya i knew it was easier to get to hawaii i was just wondering what the best route would be to get back to vancouver, would it be best to sail to california the up? how have you guys done it?
And how long would it take on average each way?
thanks

[Red Sky]

I've done it once. Straight North for 1000 miles and a big,wide right-hand turn for another 1000+. First couple of days was a rough beat out of Honolulu, great 7 days reaching over the top of the high and 3+ days on a close reach into the Strait. 13 days, 23 hours from dock lines off at the Hawaii Yacht Club/Ala Wai Boat Harbor to anchor down in Neah Bay, Washington. Sailed up to Friday Harbor after a couple hours sleep and celebrated the passage for a couple of days, then around the top of the island and crossed over to Victoria. It was an awesome, life changing trip. Makes me excited just thinking about it.

[youngson]

Awesome!

[Red Sky]

One of the many things I'll remember was, after the anchor was down and everyone was in their bunks, how quiet the boat was and how strange it felt to be back on an even keel and not moving.

[robert sailor]

As others have said you need northing leaving Hawaii so you beat upwind for several days to get it. If the trades are compressed its not a fun ride. The guys with the big fuel tanks cheat a little and motor across the top of the high. Watch the high as it determines when you can sheet off and start to come around the top of it. When you are coming around the top of the high you can be exposed to passing lows so you might get a gale or two but most don't. If you motored thru then its very unlikely you will be exposed to gales. Aim high for the straights and come down to them. Pull into Neah Bay and have a shower and sleep the sleep of the dead.

[jackdale]

On both legs, you sail around the edge of the high. Downwind to HI, upwind on the return until you get the westerlies.

This is the tracks from the 2012 Vic Maui return. This was somewhat unusual. We strapped a bunch of fuel to the deck and powered through much of the high.

Vic Maui 2012 Return - Powered by Yellowbrick Tracking

If going to Vancouver, you need not stop at Neah Bay. Go to Victoria, clear customs, shower, sleep, breakfast at John's Place.

[youngson]

thanks everyone for all the good advice!

[David Peterson]

What kind of boat would you recommend for the trip from Vancouver to Hawaii and back?

[macsinvan]

Hi,

I sailed from Vancouver to Hawaii back in 2008. This was on a Valiant 40 with a crew of 5. It took us 21 days. It was a fantastic experience that I would love to repeat. If you are interested in my experience, I captured it on mm blog. This was written while underway and uploaded via an Iridium satalite phone modem

my blog

I hope you get out there and do it too!

[SailingHarmonie]

Really odd that nobody has mentioned how seasonal this trip is.

To get that far Nroth from Hawaii is a totally a mid summer trip. May, even June sometimes is too early. Dealing with a North Pacific Gale just plain sucks. I have done an end of April trip to San Francisco, and it was ROUGH.

Even suggesting that sailing North along the California coast is a viable alternative tells me you haven't a clue what west coast sailing weather is like.

[Glenn.Brooks]

Interesting thread. Very pertinent comments, even though it’s 8 years old.

Wondering if the OP made the trip?

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by macsinvan

Hi,

I sailed from Vancouver to Hawaii back in 2008. This was on a Valiant 40 with a crew of 5. It took us 21 days. It was a fantastic experience that I would love to repeat. If you are interested in my experience, I captured it on mm blog. This was written while underway and uploaded via an Iridium satalite phone modem

my blog

I hope you get out there and do it too!

We did the return trip (Honolulu-Hanalei-Vancouver) on SV Berkana with Jim in 2004. Just 3 of us (including skipper). GREAT trip!