Fanning Island to Hawaii

[Atkinsericjr808]

Aloha everyone!

I'm planning a trip down to Fanning Island from Hawaii. I'm hoping to hear from people who have made the passage back to Hawaii from Fanning and to find out how hard it was to sail back? Seems like lots of upwind sailing....thanks for all the info !!

[Omatako]

Given the vagaries of cyclones and changing trades dependent on the season, it would be of use to know when you're planning this trip.

Fanning Island is near enough 1000nm and almost due south of Hawaii so in the right season it should be an easy ride either way. But if a tropical low happens along, it can be really character-building.

The routing charts for the area indicate winds for most periods as being easterly to north easterly. That makes for a sleigh-ride to Fanning, and some beating going back depending on your timing.

These are VPP-derived passage plans, the first one going south in July (look for notes between the images). As you can see, you'll be tight-reaching most of of the way but some beam/broad reaching.



This is heading south in December and as you can see, it is a tight reach all the way.



This is coming back (heading north) in July, you'll be beating 27% of the way and tight-reaching the rest



And this is heading north in December with again a tight reach all the way.



As you can see, there are seasonal differences but to be fair, if this software is to be believed, they are not great.

I know that on my boat a tight reach is a good fast point of sail so based on this data, December would be my choice but then as said, it is necessary to research the tropical storm frequencies in this area. I have not done that.

[Atkinsericjr808]

Aloha Andre,

Thanks for all the info. That's a pretty neat program you've got there....I've been watching the weather (NOAA) for this area for the last 5 years and haven't noticed too many T.S during the northern hemisphere winter. However, due to the close proximity of the ITCZ , I would expect some squally stuff here and there.
Like your profile pic......Bora Bora yacht club?

[Omatako]

Originally Posted by Atkinsericjr808

Like your profile pic......Bora Bora yacht club?

Yep, the definition of Paradise in my opinion.

[Atkinsericjr808]

Did you get to meet the owner of the yacht club? I forgot his name, but he's a doctor in Vaitape......very nice family. I spent 8 months in Raiatea (2004-2005) and about 2 weeks in Bora Bora.....Yes it is paradise !

[Omatako]

We met a guy named Rapa and he may have been from Vaitape but I believe he was the manager not the owner and I would be surprised if he was a doctor. Lovely guy - we spent quite a bit of time with him and his family and had a great time in the pub during our stay there. He was really good to us. This is Rapa:



This is possibly a place we will go back to and stay for a longer-than-our-usual time. Here are a few memories for you (maybe):

The club from the water



The water from the club. Note the net in the water in the lower left of this picture. Inside the net was an amazing array of tropical fish naturally in the water. Every few days, Rapa would take the net down, let all the fish out and then the next day, when the area was full re-populated with new fish, the net went back up to form a totally natural aquarium right under the club. Awesome.



Enjoying the local beer:



The restaurant area in the club:



Three "chalets", we stayed on the boat on one of the club's moorings and used the left-most chalet for hot showers, sundowners, etc. Nice treat while cruising. Rapa and his family lived in the right-most one.



Coincidentally, my wife was reading one of her ladies magazines just this morning and Bora Bora was listed there as the top honeymoon destination in the world. It really is a beautiful island.

[Atkinsericjr808]

Don't remember meeting Rapa but the little bar you guys were enjoying the Hinano at, was under construction when I was there. As I remember, the french owner, his 2 sons and 2 huge dogs lived right next door (to the left of the bar) He invited us over for dinner several times and dropped us off in town, etc....I'll see if I can dig up some photos.