Still in Hilo

Father-son journey back to San Francisco on 26ft ketch (home built by the father, took 10 yrs to build)- leaving Hilo harbor this am after arrival back in 2017. 

Still in Hilo….

The weather window for the channel crossing has not really evolved. We almost went this past weekend and within 24 hours, both Saturday and Sunday that had potential, still, were marginal. Stephen and I hemmed and hawed and decided indecision is a decision. 

When conditions look great or terrible, it is easy to make a decision about to leave or not but when conditions are marginal, it is tough. We decided if we did leave it would be more due to a learning experience desired in heavy weather sailing. Since it would not be a passage and have an estimated time frame of 8 hours, just getting through the channel as the winds before and after would be fine  (40 miles from a NE entrance to SW rounding point of Maui), we considered this as a potential opportunity to advance our “bump tolerance” as we used to say in paragliding.  I say this because the Alenuihaha channel forecast was reporting avg speeds of 23-24 knots with gusts of 30-31. Unfortunately, it previously was reporting lower winds like high teens, 17-19 knots, and gusts mid 20’s but this changed within 24 hours before our tentative departure dates of last Saturday 12/12 and Sunday 12/13. Both potential days had a change in forecast extending the moderate trade wind forecast to “locally breezy” and keeping small craft advisory warnings posted as well. 

This beat the 40-knot gusts we have been seeing forecasted but still, we felt these are not the most desirable conditions for us.  I want to emphasize the “us” because many people are more comfortable sailing in bigger conditions. We would be heading downwind which makes a huge difference as opposed to upwind but typically we still choose more mellow conditions. This is a Beaufort scale of 6 (wind speed 25-31) which gives the wind a definition of a strong breeze. The next level up is a  Beaufort 7 which is considered a moderate gale (32-38 wind speed). 

Another factor that weighed into our decision is the proximity of landmasses. It is a narrow channel ( 26 nautical miles width-wise) with large volcanic peaks on Maui and Big Island. Are the gusts going to be laminar? Or because of these large volcanic peaks, Haleakala being 10,000ft on Maui, will the gust be coming from different directions?? Wind like water takes the past of least resistance, so will it come rushing over the top of this peak but also around the sides and down into the channel. Wind will also funnel into the channel like a venturi from the entrance to the end. Then we started to discuss are we in a hurry? Do we have to leave for some more emergent reason? Or is it just because we want a change of scenery… Is it because Jenny gets antsy and wants to get moving? Even though we have a great group of folks in the anchorage, a safe place to be, and all the amenities we need. Hmmm….

So we chose to stay put this past week. If we didn’t stay we would have missed meeting another new friend, a night out at Open Mic night in Hilo with fabulous local talent entertaining us, and seeing a 26-foot handmaid boat take off for San Francisco with just father and son! By the way, the father called the legendary sailor Bernard Moitessier, “Bernard”, because they were on a first-name basis. He has been in a knockdown in the Tasman Sea with his son who was a toddler at the time and his wife. He gifted us a celestial navigation book and he and his son actually DO Celestial Navigation for the passage, primarily the meridian passage of the sun. They were embarking on a quintessential father-son journey from Hawaii to San Francisco. WoW!! They sailed past us in the anchorage at 0630am on 6/15 and we gave them a nice send-off and sent some pictures digitally to enhance their memories and photo album. 

Hilo will always hold a special place in our hearts because it was the first landfall for us after our 1st passage. Lots of folks love Kona and the “Kona side” of the island but we don’t really care for big resorts and lots of people. The local feel of Hilo and the friendly culture of people make this place more attractive to us. We have had so many kind gestures from the locals and enjoyed being part of the community. 

We are once again looking at a potential weather window this weekend but it is too far out to know….Again, I must learn patience. I like this quote: “ Patience is the art of concealing your impatience.”  Guy Kawasaki ( interestingly born in Honolulu HI but one of the original Apple employees) 

BUT more profound: 

“The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” Leo Tolstoy 

AND one more…. Stephen says often used in aviation: 

 I would much rather be here, wishing I was out there, then out there, wishing I was in here!

Hilo Farmer's Market

Sushi making on Soulstice

Big Tanker coming into port. Surprisingly quiet and minimal wake. Not a ton of traffic, usually one in am and one late pm to Radio Harbor adjacent to the anchorage. 

Richard's Point- snorkeling area/great for sea turtles

Enjoying an IPA at the Hilo Tavern

Hike in Waipio Valley with the honeymooners, Colby and Kelley

Wild horses

Colby and Kelley from St. Louis on their Honeymoon- befriended them and had a great day hiking and took them to Soulstice for drinks and appys. They have never been on a sailboat!

We are pickling :)

Still making bread! 

Treat Yo' self! Fancy coffee

Meeting Karen! A good friend of my friend Lynn Ludivig. She lives in Hilo and met us for coffee:) Lovely woman and so enjoyed our get-together!

Open Mic night fun! Left to right - Ian in the background and next to him Quinn ( Ian on a schooner he is selling, from Haines AK and returning to commercial halibut fishing, Quinn is a pilot and returning to AK as well), Ron on Freya 38ft ( single-hander - sailed from CA but Cape Horn on his sailing resume accomplishments), Stephen and Mike on Ingrid 38ft (single-hander, just spent last 2 years in FP and heading back to Oregon (previously world champion snowboarder on resume and bush pilot in AK!)
So fun all the cool peeps you meet cruising!