Good Winds Starting This Weekend - East Side, FADS or Molokai Anybody?

SpearoPaul · 09-17-2009, 07:09 PM

Winds are supposed to weaken and become sea breezes starting this weekend and into the week. This would be a good time to explore/dive the east side, or the FADs off of the north and east sides. I'm also possibly considering a dive trip out to the north shore of Molokai if anybody here is interested. Anybody?

-Paul

jhip · 09-17-2009, 10:05 PM

Paul, what would you consider "weak" trade winds that are favorable to boating, jetskiing, diving, etc.? I've always wondered how to gauge these kind of conditions.

Pat and I were planning to to take the skis out on Sunday and launch off Kahana Bay.

SpearoPaul · 09-18-2009, 01:31 AM

Light offshore winds (0-10 mph winds) in the morning off of the east side is ideal. If the water seems glassy, that's also outstanding. That way ideal cruising speed/gas mileage can be achieved. About 24-30 mph. Perfect pwc water looks like this 10 or so miles offshore:

Fast moving mahi that I chased around out there:

-Paul

NIZ · 09-18-2009, 04:30 AM

North shore Molokai....approx. How long is that ride? Do you need to fill gas for the ride back?

SpearoPaul · 09-18-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZ

North shore Molokai....approx. How long is that ride? Do you need to fill gas for the ride back?

Kaluakoi (northwest corner almost) to Hawaii Kai is 32 miles. My FXHO has a theoretical range of 80-ish miles on a full tank during real-world driving conditions (stop/go, diving, bumpy water, etc). I also plan to bring a 5-gallon tank of gas on the back as a precaution.

I also will have am emergency kit with me, as well as my EPIRB. Hopefully if conditions come together for Sunday, one of you guys already have a VHF radio...

Right now I'm pegging the odds of Sunday coming together (Monday looks better but gotta work) ideally at only 40%.

-Paul

jhip · 09-18-2009, 05:33 PM

Paul, we have no VHF radio(s) as of yet...

Where are you launching and what time?

- Joe

SpearoPaul · 09-19-2009, 02:43 AM

I would be launching from Hawaii Kai ramp (best location and it happens to be a block from home to boot so if anything is forgotten, easy to get). Probably launch right at dawn. I will know more after tomorrow's outing. I will look around and see what the water and weather is doing, then check various reports again tomorrow night. Right now it's no longer looking 40% but more like 30% though based on the reports I'm seeing so far. I only want to go if it's going to be a pretty sure thing.

-Paul

NIZ · 09-19-2009, 09:09 PM

Let me know how it was today!

SpearoPaul · 09-19-2009, 10:09 PM

Conditions were surprisingly bad. Lots of wind and rough water. Hard to believe that it could possibly be flat and smooth tomorrow so I'm declaring tomorrow's offshore/Molokai possibility a "no-go". Just doesn't seem like ti would be safe or much fun tomorrow. I will probably PWC dive locally again in case either of you guys were interested in that. The shallowest dive will be in 60' of water, with the deepest at about 130' though. You guys could always try for an ono - these are always gotten at 0-30 feet below the surface. I saw no less than three of them today and if I had my crap together at those times, I would have been able to bag at least a couple of them.

-Paul