Honolulu to Seattle- when?

jrd22 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007

Hi, we are buying a boat in Honolulu and need to get it to Seattle at some point. I'm wondering if anyone that has done the trip could give me some advice about what time of year is best, and more importantly if now(1st Nov.) is out of the question. We have options as far as leaving it there until April or later and then making the trip, but it will be expensive to leave it there. Any advice is appreciated, also about moorage or dry storage options in HI. Thanks in advance, John

RandyonR3 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007

Done the trip, a few years ago, The best time is in late summer or early fall when you can predict the Pacific High but this year it seams It really has'nt settled in for any length of time.. This has been an odd season.
Another waty to get it back is to ship it. I've known many that have done the Single Handed Trans Pac and most have the boats brought back on a boat. I do know that you have to provide a trailer or a cradle for the boat.. one woman I know had borrowed a trailer here in the San Francisco area and had the trailer brought over and the boat brought back on the trailer.
You may find someone in the Seattle area to loan you a cradle..

CharlieCobra · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007

It's a beat and I mean BEAT from Hawaii to Seattle, no fun at all. Many folks go to Alaska first and then down the inside passage instead. Now is definately not the time of year to go and Randy's right. This year's been strange already and the bad weather is here earlier than normal this year. There's currently a standing watch for an overdue, singlhanded Aquarius 21 enroute from Hawaii to Ketchikan with Seattle as an alternate. Not the time of year to be mucking about off the PNW coast.

jrd22 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2007

Thanks for the replies and info.
Randy- when did you go and how was it? Would you do it again? I know it will likely be upwind all the way, but I'm wondering if going about due N from Hawaii for about 1000NM and then cutting E would make it a better, if not shorter, trip? I'm looking into having it shipped but I think will be very expensive(25K?) Thanks again, John

CharlieCobra · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007

You could always hire a professional delivery captain.

jrd22 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007

Charlie- If I don't have it shipped this winter I will probably wait until late spring and bring it over myself (hopefully). At this time I hate the idea of not doing the trip myself, I might feel differently after I do it. I'm just getting familiar with the different options available and respective costs and time involved. I'm torn between getting the boat home soon and having a sailboat in Hawaii for the winter to go and use. Life is hard, eh? John

CharlieCobra · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007

Yeah, it could be worse.

Slooptattoo · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007

Your estimate for shipping seems extremely high unless you are quoting a service like dock express which is a drive on drive off fast transport. If you have a cradle built at a local carpentry shop and the boat shipped as deck cargo it should become much more reasonable. The return trip from HI is a total windward bore. I'd check on the cargo ships myself, but I'm not very adventurous anymore, nor do I like to slam and slam and slam to windward for that many miles. Good luck with your boat, it should be a ball.

dirlligaf · #9 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrd22

Hi, we are buying a boat in Honolulu and need to get it to Seattle at some point. I'm wondering if anyone that has done the trip could give me some advice about what time of year is best, and more importantly if now(1st Nov.) is out of the question. We have options as far as leaving it there until April or later and then making the trip, but it will be expensive to leave it there. Any advice is appreciated, also about moorage or dry storage options in HI. Thanks in advance, John

I have done this trip and lived and sailed in hawaiian waters for 12 years. You do no want to leave at this time. You want to leave in summeras a previous stated email. If you cannot get the time off you can hire a qualified skipper to sail the boat to Seattle for you. Shipping is an option but that is very expensive. You need to get this boat ready to sail the open ocean if you have not sailed the ocean before or the boat is new to you. You may want to store it in dry dock. Took me 3 months and more to plan the crossing. Not sure if Keehi has a dry dock any more. You may be able to get temporary moorage in Keehi, Waianae, Kaneohe Marinas.
Good Luck and fair winds and stay off the coast this time of year.
Annie

Faster · #10 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007

Haven't done this trip myself, but have discussed it with many who have. Most seem to take your suggested track, basically 17-18 days on stbd tack due north, tack on the 49th parallel and head for Juan de Fuca. It's a long slog to be sure.

Definitely not a november december thing.

You giving up on your beloved NS 34????