A Bavaria Owner Sails to Hawaii
Chris Hui, a WestJet pilot dreamed for years of piloting a different craft. Since he was a youngster he dreamed of sailing to Hawaii. In 2004 he purchased a new Bavaria 32. After getting to know his boat in and out over the new few years while gunkholing with his two sons, Chris decided that he was ready to make his dream of sailing to Hawaii solo come true. On June 4, 2007, Chris waved good bye to his friends and family while he set off. 23 days and over 2,700 nautical miles later, a tired and elated Chris sailed in to harbour.
Read Hui's daily log below.
Monday, June 04, 2007 – 08:05PDT
Position N47’15.6 W126’15.2
Wind South to South West at 15-25kts
Seas overnight 10ft swells
Passed over the continental shelf and the wind and seas are settling. Just about to have breakfast and enjoy the daylight. Ran the night with three reefs in the main and is still beating against that Southwest wind.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 – 08:02PDT
Position: N45’40.5 W125’59.5
Course: 175’M
Speed 5kts
Continues to beat with an overnight wind out of the South West 10-15 kts, generally clear night as the cold front passed over early evening yesterday. Thunderstorms to the North and South with much calmer sailing conditions at present allowing for a much more restful night. Will continue to parallel the coast to get South of a developing High pressure and steer clear of some wind and weather to the West, North West.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007 – 09:08 PDT
Position N43’41.7 W127’15.3
Course 200’M, Speed 9kts!
Good day of sailing yesterday under generally clear skies with a few thunder showers around. Wind out of the West 10-15kts with a full main sail and solant allowing for some food and rest time. Around midnight the wind picked up out of the West to North West 25 to 30kts and am now on a beam reach with 3 reefs in the main and the solant with the seas around 11 feet. Passing just to the North of a low pressure system that developed yesterday and anticipate reduced winds and seas in the next 24 hours. Continue to steer a course to 40N130W. Hi to All!
Thursday, June 07, 2007 – 08:08 PDT
Position: N42’25.2 W128’21.5 (Approx 750km South West of Victoria only 3500km to go!)
Course 220’M
Speed: 3.5kts (6.5km/hr)
Had a much welcomed calm evening, with the wind less than 10 kts allowing for a hot dinner and good rest! This morning the breeze continues at around 10 kts out of the North East, the seas are a light ripple with a gentle swell out of the North West 3 to 4 feet at a good 15 second interval. An Albatross has been visiting me once a day for the last several days. I’m doing well, not lonely yet and am looking forward to a period of relative calm! Hi to all!
Friday, June 08, 2007 – 09:00 PDT
Position: N41’17.3 W129’43.9
Course: 215’M
Speed: 2 to 5 kts
Presently motoring as the wind has died off and the batteries need charging. High pressure approaching from the North West will keep the winds light and the seas calm for the next couple of days – hard to find a happy medium! My Albatross friend was back for his early morning visit as I was taking pictures of the sunrise. The skies are generally clear and the seas are at a gentle swell from the North West.
Saturday, June 09, 2007 – 08:06PDT
Position: N39’33.7 W129’45.7 approx. 670kms West, North West of San Francisco, CA; only 3240kms to go!)
Course: 200’M
Speed 4kts
Low pressure moved down from the North West further than forecast bringing a strong South West wind of 20 to 25kts–beating again! Low swells with a 4 foot chop, driving rain and sea spray making for soggy conditions inside and out. The A.I.S. system earned its keep as it warned of an approaching freighter as was trying to get some shuteye. Made radio contact with the freighter and they made a course correction and updated him on the weather forecast. His 2 sea birds and the Albatross that were accompanying him are not around – but neither is the shark that approached the boat yesterday! Hopes to be out of these conditions in the next 12-18 hours and is looking forward to a hot meal and some pleasant conditions.
Sunday, June 10, 2007 – 09:49 PDT
Position: N37’ 27.9 W131’ 00.8 (approx 1440Kms South, South West of Victoria)
Course: 200’M
Speed 7 knots
Spent most of yesterday beating into a South West wind of 20-25+kts with 7-11 foot waves, and very short intervals making for a very wet and rough ride. Cold front passed over around 20:00 last night with the wind veering to the West/Northwest putting him on a beam reach for most of the night. Conditions improve this morning as the wind comes around to Northwest and reduced to 15-20 knots and is now on a broad reach making 7 knots! Conditions should continue to improve throughout the day; looking forward to making up some lost time. Feeling a little wet and soggy right now, has been resting at intervals…and his albatross mate has returned! Really looking forward to reading a good book in the sunshine!
Monday, June 11, 2007 – 08:03 PDT
Position: N35’43.1 W132’38.5 (approx 236kms since yesterday)
Course: 210’M
Speed 6-7kts
Slowly pushing around the South East side of a building stationary High and getting favorable winds out of the North West putting him on a beam reach for the last 20 hours. Seas are settling into a nice 9 foot swell with good 10 second intervals and the skies are a mixture of cloud and sunshine. The self steering named "Sail Matilda" has been working overtime and requires some maintenance and repairs which will be worked on today. Slowly getting things dried out, had an extended sleep last night and is really looking forward to that book and sunshine! The Albatross was back for his morning visit.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 – 09:04 PDT
Position: N34.11.6 W134.21.7
Course: 220’M
Speed 4.5kts
Fairly calm conditions yesterday with the wind around 5kts allowed for some house keeping and maintenance on the self steering gear. The wind picked up through the night and am now enjoying 12-15kt on a broad reach with the seas at a gentle swell and a balmy temperature that allows for t-shirt and shorts! Venus and Mars were bright enough to light the way last night making for a pretty spectacular evening of star gazing. Awoke to a heavy dew this morning and a friendly sunrise fly-over by Joey the Albatross. Chris is well rested and passes on a big hello to all!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 – 09:00 PDT
Position: N32’49.7 W136’02.4 (50 more miles to the halfway point!)
Course: 230’M
Speed 5kts
Winds out of the North East 15kts with 4 foot chop and overcast conditions. Ran most of yesterday wing in wing with the occasional jibe making for pretty steady time and speed. Drama on the high seas as....the head failed! Fortunately he had a head overhaul kit in his spares and part of yesterday was devoted to fixing the white throne. Looks like a full day under the clouds but is looking forward to the halfway party some time this evening!
Thursday, June 14, 2007 – 08:03 PDT
Position: N31’52.2 W138’11.0
Course: 230’M
Speed 5-8kts
Continuing to run wing on wing with a steady 20kt wind during the day but variable during the night from 15-25kts making for lots of sail tending during the night. Woke up at one point to find the boat doing 9kts in a rather precarious sail configuration! The halfway point of 1306nm was achieved at 16:30 PDT! Skies continue to be overcast and the sea in a mixed state with swells converging from the North East and the South West. All is well and still looking forward to some sunshine and a book.
Friday, June 15, Time 09:06PDT
Position: N30’52.4 W140’10.8
Course: 235’M
Speed 4.5kts
Continuing to run wing on wing with the occasional jibe in rolling 20 to 25kt seas making for more work than book reading time. Seas are in a 5-6 foot swell with a 2-3 foot break on top of that with intervals of 5 to 7 seconds. Have had several freighters pass by and Joey the Albatross has brought a friend along to observe this curious individual pitching and rolling about like a mad man! Skies continue to be mostly overcast and the sea conditions not very conducive to doing anything relaxing – but still looking forward to some sunshine and that book!
Saturday, June 16, Time 08:03PDT
Position: N29’54.8 W142’19’8
Course: 235’M
Speed 5-6kts
Passed the 1000 nautical miles (1863kms) to go mark at 03:30 this morning! Winds and seas have moderated a bit today but generally much the same conditions as the last couple of days. A continuous layer of alto stratus clouds stretching as far as the eye can see make for a gray day and a very dark night. Has not had the chance to observe much marine life with the present sea conditions although Joey the Albatross is never far away. All is well with Chris and Solar Coaster and he extends a hearty hello to all!
Sunday, June 17, Time 08:00PDT
Position: N29’18.6 W144’37.2
Course: 240’M
Speed 5-6kts
A little more westward bound this morning to avoid some stronger winds and rolling seas to the South. The winds have been very consistent allowing for good daily average distances of around 130 nautical miles and seas averaging between 7 and 11 feet. Has had some small squid accidentally landing on the boat during the day, not something you want hitting you in the face in the black of night! Finding the boat to be fairly light for these conditions requiring lots of tending and care. Lots of water and provisions left and is starting to count down the miles left to go!
Monday, June 18, Time 09:00PDT
Position: N27’55.5 W146’27.0
Course: 210’M
Speed 5 kts
Difficult day and into the evening yesterday as Chris transited a line of squalls making for frequent sail tending and boat handling however sunrise this morning brought glorious blue skies and some visitors. He’s had porpoises, flying fish and his long range buddy the Albatross all keeping him company this morning in much improved sea conditions. The temperature is warm, the waters getting bluer and Hawaii is less than 700nm (1300kms) away (only an hour and a half out in a Boeing 737)! Chris is thoroughly enjoying the entire package and wishes to thank all of you that are keeping track of his progress and supporting and promoting his cause with the Disabled Sailing Association!
Tuesday, June 19, Time 08:03PDT
Position: N26’58.0 W148’17.5
Course: 210’M
Speed 3-4 kts
Yesterday was a fantastic day of being on the Pacific – with beautiful azure blue waters, glorious sunshine, balmy 25C temperature, a light 10 knot breeze and a gentle rolling ocean – a great time to break out the fiddle and accentuate it all with Bach! A variable breeze out of the East last night of 10 to 15 knots made for a great sleep and has awoken this morning to generally sunny skies and 10 knot winds – I think a book may be in order…
Wednesday, June 20, Time 09:00PDT
Position: N26’00.2 W149’53.8
Course: 225’M
Speed 3 kts
A mixed day for sun and cloud with a few showers around causing the wind to be variable and a little unpredictable, but the temperature and sea state are great making for a fairly relaxed sail. Sunrise reveals an utterly be-calmed sea with dark clouds to the North and an almost imperceptible swell from the North East. A few fish jumping this morning, an oily looking bird circling the boat eyeing it up as place to perch and no sign of the Albatross... Morning stretches, breakfast, tend to the boat, look for some wind then kick back and take it all in!
Thursday, June 21, Time 09:00PDT
Position: N24’59.0 W151’00.5
Course: Course 190M
Speed 3kts
A line of black clouds shadowed Solar Coaster most of yesterday, sapping her of any consistent wind and direction. Tried motor sailing for a while but it appears the prop may be fouled reducing her speed to 2-3 knots and therefore has decided to save the motoring for emergency purposes only. Continued through the night with a very light breeze however, conditions improved slightly this morning to 8kts giving a boat speed 0f 3.5 kts. Just finishing up the book The Life of PI, contemplating today’s menu and trying hard not to think about everything that has to be done after he reaches Hawaii. Looks like a good day for observing the local marine life!
Friday, June 22, Time 09:00PDT
Position: N24’06.9 W152’13.2
Course: 205’M
Speed 5 kts
A hot muggy day with very little wind most of yesterday with the wind picking up to 10-15kts in the early evening. As the sun set the skies cleared slightly allowing the moon and the stars to break through – until midnight… The moon went into hiding, the wind puffed up to 35kts and the driving rain began! Chris scrambled about the boat gathering up sails as she exceeded the 8kt mark and fervently tried to get her prepared for the present conditions. After 45 minutes of wind and rain the calm conditions returned, so Chris not wanting to waste any time set to work to get Solar Coaster moving again just to have the whole process repeat itself 30 minutes later! So that is how Chris spent the night, the sun is now up, the black clouds and he have parted company and Chris is back into the much coveted 15kt breeze. He promises to not curse the becalmed conditions again should they arrive…
Saturday, June 23, Time 09:00PDT
Position: N23’13.0 W154’15.4
Course: 240’M
Speed 4.5 kts
Well into the trade winds at 15 to 20 kts (occasional 25 to 30) with a few thunder showers in the vicinity and hot muggy conditions. A better day yesterday and through the night for Chris and Solar Coaster as they managed to avoid most of the squalls and make a steady 4 to 5 knots placing him about 220nm from destination. Spirits are good, canned food diet is so – so and the sleep patterns are intermittent due to heat and squalls. A bit of marine life around – one being a small flying fish that found its way through the companionway and into the sink! He is definitely looking forward to a cool beverage and a hammock in the near future!
Sunday, June 24, Time 09:00PDT
Position: N22’40.3 W155’25.1
Course: 215’M
Speed 6.5 kts
Steady winds of 20+ knots, seas 7 feet with scattered thundershowers through yesterday and last night with Chris running wing and wing at 6 to 7 knots. Various seabirds showing up, along with the usual flying fish, a few passing freighters and a night sky with Venus bright on the horizon. Solar Coaster is starting to show the effects of the journey as the rudder has some play along with the occasional creak and groan, rust on the turnbuckles and a good layer of crystallized salt covering various surfaces that the rain can’t access. As for Chris, he’s 100 nautical miles from Hawaii, and he’s looking forward to an all-day breakfast (amongst other things!) when he gets there! His hair was fairly long when he left, and he didn’t take a razor, so let’s hope that U.S. Immigration doesn’t send him back to sea!
Monday, June 25, Time 09:11PDT
Position: N21’14.2 W157’05.2
Course: 240’M
Speed 6-7 kts
A steady day of sailing yesterday in 20+ knots of wind with 7-8 foot seas along with a few squalls bringing Molokai into sight at 7:15pm PDT! The final night at sea was not about to give Chris and Solar Coaster the impression that their journey was over as it unleashed 30+ knots of wind, seas well over 10 feet and an abundance of commercial shipping traffic. With the rail buried in the sea, water squirting through the life ring on the pushpit and a rudder complaining heavily of the abuse, Chris and Solar Coaster arrived at Diamond Head this morning tired and exhausted. They expect to be tied up at the dock in Ko'olina within the next four hours to clear Customs and I expect a short nap may be in order.
Monday, June 25, Time 13:15PDT
With a fouled prop, loose rudder and a failed sheet block, Chris and Solar Coaster have arrived safe and sound! Many mixed emotions for Chris but with a little rest and some time to regain his land legs we will get the rest of the details out to you.
Tuesday, June 26, Ko'Olina, 20:05
Hawaii time Aloha to All! A big warm Hawaiian Aloha to everyone who has been following the meanderings of SolarCoaster for the last 3 weeks. I haven't slept for more than 30 hours and am a little overwhelmed by my re-entry onto land! Well, a day's rest has done wonders, although I still can't believe I'm here! SolarCoaster is bobbing happily at Ko'Olina, especially now that her fouled prop is clean, the 8 holes in her mainsail have been patched, SailoMatilda is getting re-rigged, and she's had a bath! I'm enjoying a gentle breeze and a 23 degree evening as I write to you. I have Little River Band's song "Cool Change" in my head - one of my favourites! There's a line in there that is so appropriate right now..."Lots of those friendly people, showing me ways to go, and I never want to lose their inspiration..." This may have officially been a solo journey, but it really was more about all the wonderful friends who have inspired me, and freely shared the ideas and knowledge that have allowed me to realize this long-time dream. Your spirit has carried SolarCoaster and me for 2728.3 nautical miles over 23.5 days, and for that I am deeply grateful! I hope in return, this voyage has brought people closer together, fostered new relationships, and perhaps hatched a dream or two in someone else's mind. As I write to you, I know I will continue to realize new things that I will have learned from this journey, probably for quite some time to come. It has had a profound effect on me, and I have been forever changed by the experience... To all my dear friends and family, much love from Chris and SolarCoaster.