Sailing between islands (Kaneohe, Kailua, Hana: to buy, most dangerous, store)

[sjchan8168]

As a beginner sailor looking to move to Oahu, I was wondering is it difficult to sail between the hawaiian islands? What kind of skill is required?

Thanks

[surfagoody]

Originally Posted by sjchan8168

As a beginner sailor looking to move to Oahu, I was wondering is it difficult to sail between the hawaiian islands? What kind of skill is required?

Thanks

I'm not a sailer but used to captain tugs and cargo ships from oahu to the big island. With a few runs to Kauai. It is dangerous! We have had to stop and assist a number of times. The most dangerous channel by far is between Maui and the Big Island AKA the Alinuihaha. Because of the large mountains on both sides of this large and deep channel the winds can frequently be 75 + knots while inland waters are smooth sailing. This causes for turbulent waters and large sea states. On the other hand when the surf is huge on the north shore, talking 20+ it will be calm through the channels due to the depth of the water. I once spent 5 day's going backwards while trying to reach kawaihi (spelled wrong). If you just want to putts around maui molokai and the inner islands the south channel is typically smooth and very enjoyable. The trip to kauai is far enough that you lose site of both islands for a good while and the water depth is really deep. But water conditions not as bad as Maui to BI.
In short inexperienced sailors should consider staying to the lee of the islands witch means the south side predominately. Not to be condescending
but not sure how inexperienced you truly are.
Let me know how you make out and if I can answer any more questions. I've often considered sailing and would love to rage against the Alinui some day.
P.S. I you chance um shoot north as far as you can then let the winds, which typically come from the north, speed you to the lee of the islands. Then stop and Lahina aina and have a few beers for me.

[sjchan8168]

Holy cow. That really is something. Coming from the calm waters of Lake Michigan, seems Like I have to toss everything I learned out the window. As for my experience, I'm greener than grass. I was looking to buy a decent boat of craigslist and do some island hopping. You in Maui?

[Nicolai]

Not a good idea. Like Surfagoody said, the islands funnel wind and currents between them creating some very trecharous wind and swell conditions.

[hotzcatz]

I've sailed between Oahu and Lanai/Maui/Molokai fairly frequently. That is a fairly easy run but you'd want a crew of at least two preferably four to do that run. It has taken as long as 26 hours (small boat with poor conditions) and as fast as 6 hours but that was on a Navy ship and they not only have power but don't have to pay for their own gas.

Sailing between Oahu and Kauai is a bit more difficult than between Oahu & Lanai/Maui/Molokai but it is mostly longer and only a bit more rough. Better fishing, IMHO. Hanalei Bay is closed out part of the time, too, so there is a seasonality to these things, too.

I haven't sailed between the Big Island and any other. The Alinuihaha channel can be quite ferocious although I've known folks who have sailed it.

Sailing in Hawaii is open ocean as soon as you leave the harbor. There are limited harbors to go to, and limited mooring spots for boats. BEFORE you buy a boat, find a place to put it. The waiting list for slips in some of the harbors can be several years long. Also, better yet, find someone who already has a boat and crew for them. It is much nicer to crew on someone else's boat while you are learning.

For beginnings, how about a Hobie Cat off Kailua (Oahu) beach? That's loads of fun, not terribly expensive and much easier to store since they can fit on trailers. Kailua beach is a windward beach, so if something happens, the wind will eventually blow you to shore.

[Jungjohann]

I liked it when they used to post on the news about Young Brothers "losing" a container overboard from the barge. We had a really bad storm here, number of years back, think it was 1993, and Young Brothers had indeed lost a container, anyone who saw it should phone YB, they'ld come out with a barge and a crane, I guess, and pick it up, because the really good containers are watertight. I'm out paddling few days after the storm, way out between Pu'u Olai and Macgregor Point, see what I thought was an overturned boat, big white hull, way off in the distance, paddle over, it's a 40 foot Matson container, just floating on it's merry way!!!!! Got back to shore, told the lifegaurd at Kamaole 1 about it, they already were well aware of the "floating 40 footer", and YB was on it's way down to grab it. Pretty funny stuff.... I've sailed Maalaea to Oahu numerous times, once on a CC Beneteau 42", sailed over at night, had to motor the entire way, stayed a few days at the Ala Wai, until our guest slip time was used up, sailed back, keeled over at about a 45 degree angle most of the way back, with just the jib hoisted, made for an interesting time. Don't see how those Trans Pac guys do it, that's gotta be brutal!!!

Aloha and okolemaluna

[surfagoody]

I'm with Hotzcatz,
On Oahu's east side there are some good bay's for playing around in. I used to go to the MCB (marine core base) all the time and the water in that bay(Kaneohe Bay) is always smooth sailing plus there a lot of sand bars were people hang out and have boat parties. I.E. let me see your booobs. Perfect spot to get some experience and meet some people who could give you a shot at going deep sea with them.
Any trip out passed buoy's 1 and 2 is worth the experience the water color is amazing, the whales and dolphins are every where (in the spring) and if you thought the islands where beautiful standing on the beach you should see them from the water.
On a side note that goes for any city on the ocean. Most port of calls like new york or honolulu (aloha towers) are best seen entering by boat. Not touching down on an air plane in the blighted part of town. Good luck and have fun.