Sailing Sisu from Hawaii to California ... Cruising Corner Forums

Sometime around midnight in July 1979, Allan Andrews (skipper), Bill Daum (crew) and Martin Samuel (cook) delivered Sisu, for the owner, from Lahaina, Maui, HI via Oahu, HI to Newport Beach, CA.  Sisu, a DE38 identical to, with the exception of the dorade above the head, and sister-ship to Eclipse, is the 1st DE Martin sailed and served as the inspiration that convinced him to sell his Sabre 28.
Between Maui and Lanai, several whales with calves surfaced close alongside and later, crossing the Molokai Channel and thereafter to Kaneohe, Allan and Bill were ‘feeding the fish’.  Sisu had a Saye's Rig… the stronger the wind, the better it worked.  Sisu was prepped for the sail to California at Kanehoe Yacht Club, Kanehohe Bay, Ohau, HI.

It was on this trip Martin earned the title, ’The World’s Worst Fisherman'... 28 days at sea, 2 lines, trolling 24/7, 3 fish – 1 mahi-mahi, 1 tuna and 1 mackerel.  Flying fish discovered on deck at dawn don’t count.  En route, we spotted and collected several Japanese glass fishing floats of all shapes and sizes.  The Saye's Rig also collected the large part of a stray fishing net which Martin went overboard with a knife, while under sail, to cut away.
Due to the prevailing wind, the course plotted took Sisu as far north as Point Conception, CA ... then, motoring down the coast to Santa Barbara where, upon stepping ashore, the first person Martin saw was a friend of his – talk about small world!

Sisu on the bulkhead at Kaneohe Yacht Club, Oahu, HI.

Sisu at K.Y.C., HI ... [L-R] Martin – Bill – Allan ~ leied before leaving.

Sisu motor-sailing out of Kaneohe Bay with Saye's Rig already in place.

Sisu leaving Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, HI ... in the background (to the left) is the 38' ketch, Sea Wind, pirated on Palmyra and burned to the waterline years later by vandals.

Sisu sailing out of Kaneohe Bay with Bill at the helm.

Sisu mid-Pacific ... Martin with guitar at the wheel.

 Sisu mid-Pacific ... Martin and Bill + tuna.

Sisu mid-Pacific ... Bill at the helm while Martin updates the log.

Sisu mid-Pacific ... Allan and Bill, pre-GPS, taking the noon sight with sextants.

Sisu mid-Pacific ... Allan at the nav. table updating the position on the chart.

Sisu mid-Pacific ... wind at last with Martin on the foredeck.

Sisu in Newport Beach, CA ... [L-R] Allan – Martin – Bill.

 Other than fog off the coast of California, excellent weather was experienced – calm seas, fair winds (when they blew) and a good sail was had by all.