Day sailing options in Honolulu?

[marke14]

Greetings SBO friends! My wife and I will be traveling to Honolulu next week - Oct. 23-28, and my wife has graciously given me "permission" to sneak away for a sailing day, if I can make it happen.

I was hoping some forum members might have some recommendations for some day sailing out of Honolulu or thereabouts. Really not picky about the particulars; though I have never sailed a Hobie Cat, I'd probably give it a try if I can't find anything else.

Please feel free to send me a PM if you'd rather not answer publicly for whatever reason.

Thank you in advance!

 

[dlochner]

This topic came up about a year ago. I'm afraid the outcome was not all that positive. You might try searching the archives here. Scott T Bird and I both posted about it.

If you are associated with the military, the Marine base in Kaneohe has a recreational facility that rents boats, but it is not open to the general public.

 

[marke14]

Ha, Ok thanks Dave, I will have a look.

 

[Hayden Watson]

When we went to Honolulu a few years ago the only thing we could find was "sailing lessons" at the yatch club. When we signed up for a one day lesson they were scheduled to go out of the harbor but once in the boats they determined that the wind outside was too strong for the dinks and so we needed to stay in the boat basin. Sorry no refunds. GGRR!! The next day we saw the same group having a great time off the beach. Double GGRR!!

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I didn't really look, but there are no highly visible signs of sailboat rental anywhere, particularly on Waikiki. There are very few charters, either. I found a captain that charters a nice-sized Beneteau for semi-customized day trips, variable hours depending upon your budget. It wasn't so pricey that I would balk if Sue was interested. It was pricey enough that I didn't try to talk her into it. If we knew a couple that would be interested in sharing the cost, the price would have been reasonable to go out for a 3 hour sunset cruise. Hawaiian Islands are known for waves and wind and very unforgiving shorelines. I think that is the reason that nobody encourages or offers sailboat rentals or bareboat charters.

 

[dlochner]

Hawaiian Islands are known for waves and wind and very unforgiving shorelines. I think that is the reason that nobody encourages or offers sailboat rentals or bareboat charters.

Although located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, sailing in Hawaii isn't all that great. The islands have few natural harbors and the alignment of the islands and the prevailing trade winds make sailing between islands really exciting; lots of wind and big seas.

While you're in Honolulu, a trip to the Arizona Memorial is an afternoon well spent. It is a moving experience.

For some of the best seafood, go to Nico's on Pier 38. The fish market is across the street, you will never get fresher fish. Try the Ahi (tuna) or the Opah, food to die for and I'm not a fish eater.

 

[marke14]

Thank you all for the local recommendations! Especially the food. There are some other good recommendations in Scott's thread from last year.

I've been to Hawaii several times, Honolulu most of all. We have visited the Arizona memorial before as well.

We'll find some stuff to do. Perhaps I will try to get down to the harbor on Wednesday afternoon, to see if I can crew in a beer can race. I am not a yacht club member so no reciprocity there.

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions. If anyone has any others, feel free to chime in. I am still hopeful that I can talk my way onto a boat for a day sail.

 

[Hayden Watson]

You can diffiantly do a several hour sail (sailing lesson) at the yacht club. Membership not required. http://www.waikikiyachtclub.com/On-The-Water/Sailing/Adult-Sailing.aspx

 

[marke14]

Awesome, thank you Hayden! I may give that a try after all!

 

[Hayden Watson]

You are welcome. I enjoyed sailing in the boat basin even though I didn't get to go "outside" but I will admit to being very jealous of those the next day who did!

 

[CaptKimble]

We did a package trip that included a catamaran sail off the Waikiki beach. I won't say it was terrible but they packed so many folks on the boat that when it started to rain everyone ducked inside and the results were predictable. The Admiral and I remained outside (it was a warm rain) and I continued to enjoy my beverage of choice while inside the crew passed the buckets and cancelled the afternoon sail, probably so they could clean up the boat. The views were spectacular. The other thing we did was a helicopter tour of the island. I can't say enough about Blue Hawaii Helicopters. The pilot was amazing and the trip was well worth the money we paid.

 

[Hayden Watson]

If I was going to do one of the large boat sailing trips it would be on the 40'ish keel boats (1-6 pasangers) rather than the catamarans (up to 75. EEKK!). Here is a Bene 42 for $450 / 1/2 day. http://honsail.com/?page=cat&cat=choose&page_id=5&sub=31
Not too bad.