Pearson Commander headed to Hawaii !

[Rico]

Commander headed to Hawaii !?

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I have sailed quite a few boats (all under 30') within large harbors or along the coast, in Australia, Turkey, Mexico, The Netherlands, etc. but being fairly new to boat ownership; I'd appreciate some insight on heading to Hawaii...

I have never done a major passage. I do not have a GPS, and I am not all that good at celestial navigation, but I am fairly confident we'll make it.   

-I plan on SHIPPING the boat to Hawaii, you see...


Sorry for the lead-on!   ;D



A bit of background:
The day after taking delivery of a lovely Pearson Commander (Hull #155), I was made aware that our San Francisco Bay Area office is 'going away', and I was asked to relocate.

There were several alternatives, but the least offensive option was Honolulu, Hawaii. (can't beat the SF Bay area!)

So I am either Hawaii-bound for a couple of years, or I'll need a new job... Hmmm...

I really like #155 and would like to hold on to her. I'm told that I am only the 3rd owner, and that it has been in the Bay area all of its life. If I sold her, I would likely have to pay much more than I did to replace her with a similar boat later...

I've just heard that my relocation package has been approved. This includes shipping of the boat to Hawaii and back; so the shipping cost to Hawaii is not an issue in the decision. (Although it does hurt that the cost of shipping will be about the replacement cost of the boat.)

There is a bit of risk... The return trip is paid for by my company only if I remain there for at least 1.5 to 2 years.

Now I find myself looking for a bit of advice regarding the following issues;


1. Impact on the boat due to shipment to Hawaii.

- Any issues with shipping damage? Do these boats travel well? Do they suffer greatly from the out-of-water stresses related to shipping? - to the dock on a truck, then at sea in a container, then trucked out of the port, etc.?


2. The Advantages / Disadvantages of taking this boat to Hawaii.

- I have been to Hawaii (mostly for work) many times, but have not sailed anywhere there. I have not even looked into the Hawaiian sailing scene. I would like some insight as to the appeal of sailing in Oahu & around the other islands vs. keeping the boat in the SF bay and coming back to sail here periodically?

- How suitable is the commander for the sort of waters around Hawaii? Is it worth taking to begin with?



3. Moorage

- Any insight on where to keep the boat; the availability (and pricing) of slips. I hear roumors that slips are in very short supply, and could be too expensive – Like everything else in Hawaii... (I now have a few Marinas'contact info and will start making phone calls; but I wonder if there is some local insight/experience on this topic lurking on the board)


4. Finaces

- Any insight about Boat prices on the West coast vs Hawaii? Say I wanted to avoid the expense of shipping the boat selling #155 and buying something else there? Are boats significantly cheaper, or more expensive to buy in Hawaii?

- Should I take her over and risk having to sell her there if I should decide to come back prior to the agreed term?

- Should I consider selling the Commander here in San Francisco and either getting another boat in Hawaii, or should I look to just crew on other boats while in Hawaii like I used to prior to purchasing the Commander?

- Should I sail her to San Diego and store it in the dry (free of charge) at my parent's home and keep her for my return in a couple of years?



5. Logistics

- If she is going; Should I take the opportunity install a hinged mast-step (I believe a Tabernacle is the proper term?) as the mast will need to be de-stepped for shipping. I would like to replace the mast-step (block of wood) itself somewhat soon...

- Anything else I should take care of/look into if I'll be going through this de-step process?


Thank you for any insight provided...

Antonio

[Captain Smollett]

Antonio,

I'd just about bet money you could find someone on this board willing to do a delivery for you for cheaper than the shipping cost. ;D ;D ;D

[Zen]

I was thinking the same thing Captn.  ;D

Wonder if you could have them do it, then use the left over  $$ for your marina fees...or...after giving us a cut for saving you some money  :D :D

I know there are some here who have been to Hawaii in their boats. Starcrest for one, could answer many of those questions. Maybe even interested in doing the trip.

[AllAboutMe]

I don't see that shipping to Hawaii would be a problem.Containerized or shipped on a cradle in a transport ship.  I have heard though that the Islands are not terrribly sailboat friendly. Not alot of marinas with haul out facilties or dry dock space, and dockage is expensive. Also difficult to locate parts locally. While I'm sure you want to have your boat close by, it might be more dollar wise to leave her in San Francisco, and charter sailboats when you get the urge, or, even buy something once you get there,and sell it when you leave. Folks that have crossed to the Islands often don't have the time or willingness to fight the winds and currents back to California. It's an extremely hard, slow passage back,and some just leave their boats with brokers and hope for the best.
Larry Wilson

[CapnK]

(plink, plink)  <- The sound of my $0.02.. :)

Antonio -

IMO, your Commander would handle the shipping process w/no problems - these are tough boats. She'd also handle sailing in and around the islands, and would be a delight.

AFA reimbursement concerns: How long have you been with this company? If it's been several years and you've been OK-to-Happy with them, what's another 1.5? :D

All that said - If it were me, I'd go the "dry storage at the parents" route, and as Larry said, charter (or buy cheap) a boat for your time out there. That way you don't have to sweat staying at the job if it gets bad, and you have a boat hassle-free when you are home to visit or when you return.

Other alternatives for when you get out there, in order to get your "sailing fix": consider taking up windsurfing, or dinghy sailing.

You can find used windsurfing gear cheap either through the Classifieds, eBay, or even yardsales (example: a few years ago, I bought a board w/case, 2 masts, 2 booms, bunches of associated gear, and 3 sails - all like new, in *great* shape, for $700 - if I'd bought new, all this would have been $3500, easily). If you haven't done it before, I'd *highly* recommend lessons! And a book about it, of course. :) You don't need to be in great shape to do it, and it's not hard to learn if you get a little help with the basics. It is mostly technique, and since Hawaii is in the trades, the wind is perfect, with plenty of flat water inside the reefs for you to learn in.

AFA dinghy sailing, if you couldn't find a small boat for sale out there, you could build a simple one of plywood and fiberglass. The surfboard industry is prevalent enough there that prices for resin and glass are some of the best you'll find.

Keep us posted, and Welcome Aboard! :)

[Rico]

Thank you for all the suggestions.  This is a great board. There is lots of good info here.

I am in Hawaii this week. I am finding that most places have a year to a year-and-a-half waiting list for slips! - There are not that many facilities here...
I did find one available at a resort, but it was more than double what I am paying now... - I don't want to do that...

I am currently leaning towards leaving the boat in California. Instead of shipping, I may be looking for storage!

I think I could do with a dinghy for the time being. It would not be a bad thing for me to sharpen my skills on them. I may pick-up kite surfing, or Windsurfing as CpnK suggested... I can also look to crew on someone's boat I suppose.

Most people do see to think that boats are cheaper over here. Who knows - In time, I may get lucky!

Now, If I could only find a trailer that would make things a bit easier...

[Zen]

Good luck Rico.
I think leaving it here in Cal is the best bet also.

Sail it down to your Mum's

[Captain Smollett]

I am currently leaning towards leaving the boat in California. Instead of shipping, I may be looking for storage!

Boats don't like that  :'(  (storage)

Would you be open to putting it out for charter during that time?  I don't know about your area, but in some places, charter companies will take additional boats under contract.  Perhaps you can find a trustworthy charter captain who is looking for another boat for that time period.

Just a thought, and there might be other options, too.  I just hate to think of a fine, seaworthy vessel laid up in ordinary.

[Zen]

That maybe a good idea. THere are several places here on the bay that use that size boat for charter and training. Oakland Park & Rec is one , There is a Sailing club in Berkeley that has a couple of Commanders they train and charter out. They do all the upkeep.

Maybe even my cousin in Alameda might be into adopting a boat for a yr or so to she how she would do owning one. You could visit when you come home to vacation. ( sounds weird vacationing from Hawaii ) option #2

[starcrest]

from what I can remember it was/is hard to find slip space in hawaii.there is/was a wailting list.there is/was lotsa mooring and or anchorage space---but then you are vulnerable to all sortsa' weather concerns.especially from the south in the winter---then there's the hurricane season----and the island fever that kicks in after not so long.also the socio-economic concerns---everything there is/was so expensive----nothing is "made in hawaii" except pineapples and the like----if its there it had to be shipped in from somewhere---from the time I spent on the big island I can remeber the term :"howley"--- spelling is probably off---but the meaning remains the same-----historically  the hawaiian islands were "discovered" by captain cook in the 1800's and the local natives were considered heathen.there were at one time millions of hawaiins ---then the europeans introduced diseases that the local natives had no natural defenses to----and eventually there poulation was greatly reduced----"we"(the europeans---that is) took their land---their people----now we want their jobs too? this is/was the social sentiment of the locals---aka: "kama aina".on the third trip over on the triton I was going to get re-certified for scuba diving there----I was told that since I came over by boat they would give me the "kama aina" rate. (a reduced rate)I declined anyway---the sentiment of the local people there at that time was/is they prefer to be cosidered some type of asian or oriental people----even the loran signals were/are  beamed out towards japan----imagine my suprise ---to find out only too late-----that loran signals are not recieved on the "base line extension"

[Rico]

Don't even remind me...
It seems to me that everything is excessively 'hard' (VERY political, ineficcient, slow, counter-sensical,  etc.) in Hawaii. I am tired of this aloha c**p!
And I am not even there yet!

Anyway, I am  leaning towards leaving my boat behind...

I did, however, spend a few quality hours at the beach (on the North shore away from the tourists) looking at the windsurfers, and the powerkites, and the sailboats, and I felt much better... I can probabbly do the nice beach for a while...

So how does this charter deal work?
BTW - Is storage 'bad' for the boats, or does it just make them 'sad' boats?

I assume they (charter outfit) take care of maintenance?
- What about equipment? Use & abuse? etc.

I would hate to return to find my new sails holed & chafed  >:(, the new cushions stained, (this all came new with the boat!), my hull dinged  :'(  and all the nicely varnished brightwork (some by me, some by the PO) all beaten up by ??...    :-\

Decisions...

I'm thinking the boat will remain a california boat and await my return... just don't know where...

Anyone know of any leads for an available trailer? Having a trailer would make the logistics much easier for keeping it...

or I may sell...   :o

[Rico]

Well. In California it stays...  :(
I've spent 2 of the last 3 weeks in Hawaii and I can't find a way to make this work reasonably...

I hoping to negotiate reimbursed for the cost of a trailer in liu of shipping costs to Hawaii... At least that way I can store it AND have it be somewhat mobile for when I am back in town.

I am off sailing these next couple of days. Off to Berkeley to catch the fireworks! This should be fun.

Had a great day sailing yesterday. I went out with a friend whose only other experience sailing had been as a passenger on my boat. She did really well. We had a great time.

No sailing in my own boat in Hawaii then... but I plan to be crewing in Hawaii and beyond as much as I can. I hear the passage to Tahiti is a good one...

I will also get started on power kites and will look into rowing with the traditional outrigger canoe groups...

Other than that, I guess I'll use Hawaii as a jumping off point for travel eastward - the bit of ocean between Hawaii and the coast of china is the only gap missing from my travels...

Thnks for the help!

[Rico]

Well... I am headed back to California. Wooohooo!

I have run into a bit of an opportunity so off I go! It is just as well as I Hawaii - how should I say it... well, it just did not exactly fit the bill. (I will spare you my disparaging remarks!)

Now I am looking to sail #155 down to L.A. from San Francisco. Does anyone out there have experience and /or insight about sailing this stretch in November?

Any insight would be appreciated!

Thank you,

Antonio

[CapnK]

Antonio -

Having lived in Hawaii myself, I think I understand some of what you went through. I was lucky, and was living with/worked with folks who were locals/kama aina/hui, so that smoothed a lot of paths for me. Even so, it's easy to catch flack for being a haole, and the population pressure - especially on Oahu - gives much of the island a big-city mentality, instead of the more relaxed island-time mellowness you'd expect. Good and bad, there's plenty of both out there! :)

Good luck with your trip down the coast! I think there are some mebers here who can help you with that, if you have the time to wait 'til they see your query.

Welcome back to the mainland, I'm sure that your boat will be glad to see you, too. :D