Leaving the Big Island was difficult -- we really enjoyed the diversity of the land, the people and things to do. But deciding WHEN to leave was a rather easy decision, To make our way up to Maui, we just needed a 24 hour sail across the DREADED Alenuihana Channel. This crossing is positively legendary for intense winds and high seas and for breaking boats. But of all the luck, the days we chose to cross, we had flat seas and very light wind. It was a gift!
Another beautiful Sunrise in paradise
The rarely visited south shore of Maui
Our first night on Maui we chose to anchor at Oneuli "White Sand" Beach. There hill provided protection from the NW 20 knots of breeze. Surfers were enjoying some good breaking waves so we chose to watch the beach goers from the boat rather than swamp our dinghy trying to go ashore.
We got up the next morning and headed for Lahiana hoping to meet up with our friends from Crockett, CA -- Louise and Rob McClendon who were visiting Maui. The nice 20 knots of breeze on the beam faded to calm just as we noticed a boat we had met in Radio Bay -- and we had the jacket he left at the party. It was an impressive and successful hand-off at sea with Vicky on boat pole, Tom at the helm and Suzanne at the camera!
We continued North to Lahiana -- and the wind proceeded to build to 30 knots. Our friends on "Popoki" were anchored in good holding ground in the Mala Wharf beach - 1 mile north of Lahiana. So we chose to anchor rather than trying to pick up a mooring ball at the Yacht Club. It was a gusty anchorage, but we were confident that Begone was well stuck (Thank you John and Dorothy for choosing a big 45 lb. anchor!)
The next morning, the NE 20+ knots of wind continued, but we wanted to meet Rob & Louise on shore -- so we launched the dinghy and headed to what is generally a calm launch ramp/dinghy dock. BUT NOT TODAY. You may be able to see the waves breaking in the entrance -- it was an
E-Ticket ride and tie-up.
It was great to catch up with Rob & Louise and enjoy lunch on the waterfront. It was too snotty to bring them out to Begone so we said our "good-byes - see ya in Crockett" and headed back to the rock and rolling at the anchorage, We decided that spending more time on Maui would have to be another trip. The wind was blowing and Oahu was calling us. The next morning we weighed anchor and headed for Honolulu.
Three Week on Oahu -- Begone is side-tied to the Aloha Deck of the Hawaii Yacht Club (Waikiki/Honolulu).
This was taken from a plane ride (more late) -- Begone is right in the middle of the picture.
We were warmly welcomed at the Hawaii Yacht Club.
And enjoyed the canoe'ers and SUP'ers and rowers go by us everyday.
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SPAM continues to be on our shopping list -- Tom's new favorite is Black Pepper SPAM
Tom had to do a motorcycle trip of the island -- so chose a Triumph for his wheels this time.
Our favorite boat neighbor - "Redford" and his owner Steve is AOK, too.
Before we left Honolulu, we invited a few friends over for appetizers and beverages. Begone managed to accommodate 13 people and Redford! Turns out that's just enough weight in the cockpit to allow 2 inches of water in through the cockpit drain!
We decided to add AIS to our navigation/safety gear...Tom engineered a beautiful mount.
Vicky had met Merle and Mary (Tirnanog) when she and Chuck were sailing in the South Pacific. Merle is now the caretaker and chief pilot for Hawaiian Airlines 1st commercial plane - a 1929 Bellanca. What an amazing ride we had!
Pilot to Co-Pilot -- NOT! Merle and Tom had the cockpit covered!
And then there's Vicky's Epic Run on the "Stairway to Heaven" Trail...a 5 hour run with a major elevation demand. Was this from a plane or on foot? ON FOOT! Amazing - so she did it twice in 24 hours!
And then there were parties on Begone -- one night we had a party with 13 people aboard and a good time was shared by all -- despite the stern was so low that 2 inches of water came up through the cockpit drain!
It was a fun and eventful 3 weeks on Oahu. But it was time to leave for Kauai on Monday, June 15th. We were looking forward to our trip to Hanalei Bay, Kauai. So off we went!
But had a Mai Tai with our friends at the Royal Hawaiian Mai Tai bar on the beach as our send off!
Chapter 3 -- Kauai
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