Kayking, fishing sailing your way out of trouble.

Posting this here since it has a little of kayaking, fishing, & sailing.

Here's a typical Hawaiian day fishing off Mahukona on the North end of the Big Island. Close to the Alenuihaha Channel [ http://www.explorebiodiversity.com/main ... ihaha.html ]

Not every day is flat so if you want to fish (see Mahi thread under fish images) you have to be prepared for other than flat water.

Sorry for orienataion. Image shack doesn't seem to recognize vertical shots, but click on everything if you want to see larger images.



Here's another trip where I am 2.5-3 miles off trying for striped Marlin. Not nice when you blow this image up.



That's Upulou Point in the background, the higher lee is to your right. As conditions got worse despite earlier weatherman predictions of a drop off in wind, I had to take the sail down.

I had the UTMOST faith in the Mirage drive to get me into the lee. Only problem was Apalach's whales (see his thread)

I got there and was able to put sail back up, but furled to run 4 miles home.




Here's a shot from another day, I think, that shows how much you can furl the 20 ft sq sail and still get safe production in high winds. Don't rely on this to tackup wind, however.



Before you think I'm crazy recognize the first time I went up to Mahukona I stayed inclose under the lee. putting up the sail to just pop the yak out a bit to see how she handled high wind.. I'm old enough to want to die older, or in other words I am not a bold pilot. Recognize also that South Point (the opposite end) is more dangerous. The drive can fight wind, but current is/can be the killer. I'm still learning down there.

Speaking of the drive my faith has been shaken. More on that in another topic. Related to the angle of the set screw against the drive mast.

In the meantime my buddy Mr. Sidekick is screaming. "Is that all you can push me! Get Hobie to bump that sail to 30 s feet so old Adventure buyers arn't cheated out of AI performance." Well you heard that before. It's too bad Hobie won't do anything. I have yet been able to talk an independent sail maker into working up a 30 ft sq sail, and the company carries a hell of a lot more weight than an individual.

Here's Sidekick on a really good trolling wind, this time off Keauhou where the Sidey is at least above water as much as he really want's to get pushed further.



Hey please post some of your local condition shots. I think many of us are pushing the envelope more than Hobie thinks.

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Wow, Dan, you're a braver soul than I! It would be hard to top your pics, but here are a couple of sailing shots on a typically breezy afternoon at Lake Hodges. Nowhere near where you'd need a sidekick or reefing, but plenty of excitement for me.


BTW, if I had a 30 sf sail, I'd definitely be breaking something!