President's Day Weekend Cruise
February 12-15th, 2010

Bill Beadle and Barbara Dove, owners of the Millie D, were hosts for the President’s Day weekend cruise. From the skipper’s meeting held on Wednesday promptly at 1805 it was evident that Bill had spent a lot of time organizing his thoughts on the cruise and what we might find when we arrived at the destination, Hale'o Lono Harbor, Molokai.

Detailed weather forecasts, navigation charts, harbor pictures, tide/current charts and the latest swell forecast were all looked at and then crumpled and cast aside. After all, this IS the HYC Cruising and Voyaging Society, and if it’s going to happen it will be out there, not in the harbor.

The good ships Millie D and Swan Song decided to head over on Friday as their owners are either retired or playing hooky. At 0900 Friday Swan Song was passing the fuel dock with the Millie D still vying for space to top her tanks for the 35nm close reach to Haleolono Harbor. Swan Song took the high road heading up towards Koko Head before turning onto the rhumbline. The Millie D took a slightly lower course with all Bill’s fishing gear streaming astern. And a good thing too, as the Mahi were hungry - the team of Bill and Barb boated two, both ladies, one of 30 lbs and the other 7 lbs. Bill likes to troll a bit faster than Swan Song so by the time we arrived off the harbor entrance he had made up the time

As Swan Song was new to the harbor entrance, and there was a good size southerly swell nearly closing off the entrance at times, she waited for the veterans to lead the way in. The Millie D looked about half the height of the bigger breakers and Bill had her up at 2000 rpm surfing in. Swan Song waited until the next set had passed and also surfed in.

Once inside the water was quite murky from the surge action and the Millie D was already on the hook. Another sailboat, the Maggie B, which had entered before the Millie D, was anchored near the entrance. Bill chose a spot further up and we dropped our hook just abeam of the Millie D and

dropped back.  Bill got right on cleaning the mahi and before long it was sunset and the black hole of the sky just opened up. Billions and billions of stars, from horizon to horizon, certainly made us, and our planet, shrink in size and importance in the grand scheme of things. An early night was in order and tomorrow the rest of the cruisers would arrive.

First in on Saturday was Alchemy, with Capt. Leon and his crew Mitch & Dottie - one tack and 5 hours. Shortly after, Seamar Mhuire with Capt. Ted Murphy and Jim Murphy (not related) arrived. Both boats decided to get as close to the evening’s potluck as possible so they rafted up to the Millie D.

Glen Pang, on his Ranger 26, ventured out and tested the conditions up the coast to Koko Head when his engine started to misbehave. As the waves were washing them a bit Glen decided to turn back. While heading back they came upon a disabled vessel and towed them in. I think Glen made the right call to disengage with Neptune and live to sail another day.

Bill fired up the grill and food appeared from all corners of the four boats. I did notice some drinks being consumed but all in moderation of course. After gorging ourselves, with some spilling almost as much as they ate/drank, dinner was cleared and Dave took a quick trip to Swan Song’s freezer and returned with Butter Pecan Ice Cream and cookies for all. Wow, a great treat for everyone with no refusals!

Valentine’s day was spent limin’ and doing what we all like, the ladies were ferried ashore in Swan Song’s tender and spent a few hours sitting on the beach and watching the waves roll in. Leon’s green kayak, with Leon & Mitch aboard, paddled off to do some beaching to the East. I think everyone had some lunch but Nancy decided that dinner aboard Swan Song would allow her to get rid….I mean serve some more of the chicken she brought. These southern ladies always plan for a few more persons to be at the table than was expected! Anyone for the last piece?

A nice dinner with bits and pieces from the other boats was convened on Swan Song. The beverages flowed with the conversations. I think the major topics were religion, UFO’s/Aliens, Internet browsers and life in general. I might have missed some but you get the idea. Again more ice cream but this time 3 non- takers. Something about diets, I think.

Bill & Barb bolted first, soon followed by the rest of the crowd, ferried back to their boats which were no longer rafted to the Millie D. The breaking of the raft-up is a story unto itself but is better left to verbal story telling than being in print.

Another night with the stars and on to early AM departures. The Millie D was to leave at 0800 but due to the aforementioned raft breakup they had a game of "I think my anchor is over/under yours." By 0930 however all the anchors were aboard and the Millie D, Seamar Mhuire & Alchemy all left the harbor for the Ala Wai. Swan Song and its retarded, I mean retired, crew decided that we’d wait till tomorrow to return. We always like tomorrow as that is the real definition of cruising to us. “We’ll leave here tomorrow even if that turns out to be next week” We do hope we'll be back in time for the March cruise .

Nancy & Dave                            

Swan Song   

Pokai Bay Cruise
January 16-18th, 2010

The Cruising and Voyaging Society is usually pretty quiet through the Holidays, and the recent unsettled Kona weather conditions around the state, with southwest winds and choppy seas, have not always been inviting for getting out on the water.  But with the New Year comes renewed interest and that resolution to get out on the water more often.  And in that spirit, our first group cruise of the year was launched to Pokai Bay over the long weekend of Jan. 16^th thru 18^th.   In spite of dire predictions of a “huge” Northwest swell, the weather forecast was for light trades and clear skies, very good for the trip along the west side of Oahu.  Five boats signed on and we were happy we did.

We set off from Ala Wai in light winds and flat seas.  Our fleet included Alchemy with skipper Leon and crew Rick Tudeur,  Jarek, a long-time friend, and Maurice, a Canadian Leon met recently at the airport; Giant Turtle, skipper Tom Gebhardt (singlehanding); Mike and Patti Salomon on Seaquel and Glen Pang, also singlehanding Kipikai, his Ranger 26.  This was Glen’s first cruise with his new boat, and his first time sailing to Pokai Bay, and his first group cruise.  Way to go, Glen!  Lanakila with skipper Steve Dixon and mate Lila Moore stopped at the Ko’Olina Marina and decided to stay there thru the weekend.

Pokai Bay has been a safe destination in all but strong Westerly wind and surf conditions, and did not disappoint us this time.  On our arrival on Saturday Jan. 16^th we tucked in behind the jetty and rafted together.  As each yacht arrived they anchored fore and aft, and then pulled the boats  together, without problems and with good co-operation between the boat crews.  The first action after anchoring was to “fall” into the water!  After a swim in the clear water (chilly but sooo refreshing!), Alchemy invited the fleet on board to share pupus and adult beverages.  Around 6:30  Leon was hailed from the beach, and took Seaquel’s tender ashore to pick up a Canadian couple, new friends he also met at the airport.  “Happy Hour” was followed by an impromptu Pot Luck meal in the cockpit, visiting and talking story into the night. 

Next day was Sunday, and Alchemy and Giant Turtle needed to get back to the real world.  So, after morning coffee in Giant Turtle’s cockpit (floating Starbucks!) the crews picked up their anchors and sailed off toward Honolulu.  Seaquel and KiPiKai, not needing to dash back, settled in for a day of swimming, relaxing, reading and just enjoying the action on the beach.  Pokai Bay is always well used and it is entertaining to watch the variety of activities locals and visitors alike can enjoy in the protected waters behind the jetty.

Monday was a great sail home (with assistance), taking us back to home port.  Because Pokai Bay is a close and secure anchorage and we have all been there so many times, it is often taken for granted.  It really is a fun destination, especially this time of year when the hills are green, the water is clear and the sunsets are spectacular.