MARTHA departed Waikiki at 1100 hrs on August 1st bound for Ko’olina Marina to refuel and then on to the fabled Hanalei Bay, Kauai.
Transpac was an incredible experience from start to finish and I think it important to note that the Transpac Yacht Club is a non profit mostly volunteer organization. The Race it sponsors is made possible by the tremendous excitement and energy of the staff and volunteers on both coasts. In Honolulu alone there are about 550 volunteers.
For instance, when a vessel is 100 miles out from the finish there is a check in call. This starts the machine rolling on shore and preparations are made. At 25 miles there is another check in with a more accurate ETA. A VHF call at 5 miles and then across the line at Diamond Head, finish time is confirmed and then boats are handed over to a guide boat to guide you into Ali Wai boat harbor.
The Tpac officials and the guide boats were especially busy because of a large Southerly swell that was breaking in the Ala Wai Harbor Chanel. The harbor had been closed the night before and we were the last boat in the day of our arrival.
Officials on the beach would time the wave sets and then give the “go for it” high sign on the VHF, with the final bit of encouragement, “don’t stop and don’t slow down.” In our case, as we entered the channel about 100 yards behind us an 8 foot swell reared up. I could tell something was behind us by the somewhat shocked look on the crews faces as they looked aft, Doug softly said, “don’t look back.”
Somewhere out there a photo will surface I’m sure!
From the first check in at 100 miles out the vessel’s host, (that’s right, each vessel has a host), has been on call 24 hrs a day and is preparing the welcoming party.
What a lovely feeling to have smiling, welcoming people assist with your dock lines, greet you with an Aloha, drape a lei around your neck, and hand you a Pineapple drink with ICE. After the Transpac officials boarded and cleared us in with all regulation paperwork, we were free to relax and enjoy the party provided by our host, Lenny, and the Waikiki Yacht Club. Jim Callahan, John’s brother, organized some music and a traditional Hula dancer. What an enchanted evening!
We can’t say enough about MARTHA’s Aloha experience and give a hearty thanks to our host Lenny and the Waikiki Yacht Club!
We all really like ALOHA.
Departure for Kauai!
MARTHA motors to Ko’olina to refuel!
After refueling our short crew of 6 raised sail, deep reefed main and staysails and turned to the Kaena point on the the North
west corner of Oahu. In the lee of Oahu we were seeing wind in the 17 to 26 knot range with small wind chop, once clear of the Kaena point we were exposed to the full fetch of the pacific and the seas were chaotic and large, wind now 25 to 30.
We were seeing more spray and water on deck now then anytime during Transpac, we struck the main and proceeded under staysails alone and that made for easier going.
At dawn Kauai was in sight and we were anchor down in Hanalei Bay.
Unless we get chased out buy Guillermo we will be here until August 16th, bound for Victoria B.C.
And then Home!
