Thursday, March 26, 2015

Pacific Ocean Sailing

Approx 19 40.1 N  156 1.5 W
Ed and I just got back from our first trip to Hawai'i - beautiful! We took the opportunity to sail on the Pacific for the first time.


On the Big Island of Hawai'i, we took a snorkeling trip aboard sailing catamaran Kamanu, out of the marina just north of Kailua-Kona.  We had lights winds, and perfect warm weather. The snorkeling was great with lots of fish and a live reef.  A few days later, we stopped by the Hilo Yacht Club on the east side of the island, and spoke to the manager.  Unfortunately, we hadn't thought to bring our QCYC membership cards, so couldn't enjoy a drink at their bar.  Interestingly, almost none of their members have boats, since mooring spaces are few and far between in Hilo.  The club is mainly a dining and sports facility.

Approx. 20.8 N 156.7 W

On Maui, we came upon a Santa Cruise 50, Scotch Mist II, in Lahaina, and had such a great time on the whale watching sail, that we went back the next day for the sunset sail.  We saw lots of humpback whales both times, and in the afternoon, had a boisterous sail, heeling well over when going to windward. Once again, we couldn't enjoy the Lahaina Yacht Club's facilities for lack of our membership cards.  Have to remember to always carry those!