Any Hawaii Big Island sailboat owners here?

[patagoniadave]

In the ever changing ebb and flow of life, there is a possibility coming up that I can spend a couple of years in the island, probably closer to Hilo than Kona. If that all pans out, I have three options: sell my boat, and buy another in three years, put it in storage and repair whatever damage that causes in three years, or attempt to sail it to Hawaii (that will warrant a totally different thread).

I have been talking to local sailors I know who have been there about marinas, moorings and anchorages, and they don't paint a pretty picture.

I'd love to talk with anyone who is currently actively sailing locally there. I'll be flying out for the last two weeks of September, and would LOVE to talk to people in person.

Thanks for any help.

 

[kappykaplan]

@Phil can probably help.

 

[Tally Ho]

I don’t live there, but visit Maui annually.

2 marinas on Maui, both state owned. Waiting list for a slip is long, and EXPENSIVE.

I have considered whether I could keep a boat on a mooring when I retire, but that sounds tenuous. Last year, a woman had her boat break loose of the mooring in a storm, and it was buried in the sand one one of the Kehei beaches.

I will be following this thread intently, as wife wants to live on Maui when we retire…and I said “not if I can’t have a boat there”.

My only recourse now would be a trailerable boat, that I could pull and store on land when I needed to.


Greg

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I said “not if I can’t have a boat there”.

What if you were to have a boat big enough to live on, keep it on a mooring, and watch over it 24/7. Both of you should be content with that ? ? ? ?

 

[rgranger]

My brother lives on Molokai and sails a hobie mirage

the currents between the islands is very strong and you often have to hug a shore if your destination is “up stream”.

in Addison to researching marinas and such, also research the sailing involved in going between islands. There are tricks you will need.

 

[Phil]

Yep...the currents in some areas are pretty darn strong. The other day we were sailing ~6.5 knots through the water, but our speed over ground was ~2 knots. That bit of ocean near Kaena Point is much more fun in the other direction .

The two best sources I've found for cruising in Hawaii are "Noodles Notes" Noodle's Notes: 50 years of voyaging in Hawaii and the Pacific and Carolyn Mehaffy's cruising guide to Hawaii. Cruising Guide to the Hawaiian Islands: Mehaffy, Carolyn: 9781937196837: Amazon.com: Books

State boating facility info: DOBOR Small Boat Harbors and Boating Facilities

Use Google maps to find private marinas like Ko'Olina and Kewalo Basin on Oahu. Slip fees at the private marinas are much higher than the state run harbors, but they are also much nicer.

Also reach out to local yacht clubs on each island. Use Google and they are easy to find.

YouTube channel worth checking out - you'll have to dig into Sam's older stuff when he was sailing a Ranger 23 inter-island after sailing it over from Long Beach. https://www.youtube.com/c/samholmessailing

 

[patagoniadave]

Yep...the currents in some areas are pretty darn strong. The other day we were sailing ~6.5 knots through the water, but our speed over ground was ~2 knots. That bit of ocean near Kaena Point is much more fun in the other direction .

The two best sources I've found for cruising in Hawaii are "Noodles Notes" Noodle's Notes: 50 years of voyaging in Hawaii and the Pacific and Carolyn Mehaffy's cruising guide to Hawaii. Cruising Guide to the Hawaiian Islands: Mehaffy, Carolyn: 9781937196837: Amazon.com: Books

State boating facility info: DOBOR Small Boat Harbors and Boating Facilities

Use Google maps to find private marinas like Ko'Olina and Kewalo Basin on Oahu. Slip fees at the private marinas are much higher than the state run harbors, but they are also much nicer.

Also reach out to local yacht clubs on each island. Use Google and they are easy to find.

YouTube channel worth checking out - you'll have to dig into Sam's older stuff when he was sailing a Ranger 23 inter-island after sailing it over from Long Beach. https://www.youtube.com/c/samholmessailing

Thanks for all the links and advice! I have reached out to the Hilo Yacht club, and the local Ranger(?). Hopefully I can catch up with some local sailors next month. Much appreciated!

 

[Tally Ho]

What if you were to have a boat big enough to live on, keep it on a mooring, and watch over it 24/7. Both of you should be content with that ? ? ? ?

Oh, I have certainly tried to advance that idea…but the Admiral has no interest in living on a boat. I told her that may be the only way we can live there….but no joy

Greg

 

[Rick Webb]

I lived on the leeward side of Oahu. We'd take a three or four day weekend and sail to Lahaina sometimes Kihei. After passing Koko Head it'd be a bit of a roller coaster ride sometimes till you got in the lee of Molokai. We would do that with only a VHF radio I don't even remember if we called someone to let them know that we had arrived OK. Seems odd now with so many people I am responsible for or to.

Hilo side is not very conducive to sailing in the winter. I do not remember ever seeing anyone who kept a sailboat there as a regular thing. A few in Kona. Same thing on Maui in Lahaina there were a number and a few in Kihei but none on the windward side.

It has been a number of years since I moved back to the mainland so things may have changed.

 

[patagoniadave]

From the local "yacht" club:

"Sorry, we don’t have any information on any marinas or moorings. The members here don’t have boats and aren’t sailors."

 

[rgranger]

I've seen a few sailboats overnight in this harbor on Molakai

 

[rgranger]

If you ever decide to go... let me know. My dad still lives there and he would be glad to give you a lift to the store in exchange for you laughing at his horrible jokes.

 

[Rick Webb]

From the local "yacht" club:

"Sorry, we don’t have any information on any marinas or moorings. The members here don’t have boats and aren’t sailors."

Might try talking to Hawaii or Waikiki Yacht Clubs. I don't personally remember anyone ever sailing to the Big Island but someone there might be able to give you some info.

My first call would probably be the Sailing Director at Waikiki Yacht Club. We went to the same High School in Honolulu. If he does not know personally, he may know someone who does. Wait till after Labor Day though summer is really busy with the kid "keiki" (might as well start learning) programs, he would have more time to chat "talk story" then.

 

[Phil]

I recently met Paul Exner who lives in Kona, Hawaii. He's a blue water sailing instructor and great resource for sailing from the Big Island. Here a couple of links to his websites.

Go Anywhere by Sail

Helping sailors go anywhere by sail aboard their own boat using proven seamanship methods, weekly Q&A calls, and expert mentorship. Saving sailors time and money as they prepare themselves and their sailboat to make bluewater voyages with self-sufficiency, and live lives of freedom.

www.goanywherebysail.com

Hawaii Sailing // Hands-On Bluewater Sail-Training

BLUEWATER SAILING INSTRUCTION -- MOD GEO Sailing offers bluewater sailing instruction, coaching, and consulting to sailors who GO ANYWHERE BY SAIL. If ocean voyaging is in your future and you want the confidence and skill needed to reach exciting destinations aboard your own sailboat, then Paul Exne

www.moderngeographic.com