Navigating the Pacific: The Reality of Sailing from Hawaii to California
Traveling from Hawaii to California by boat, specifically from Hilo, Hawaii to San Diego, California, is a significant journey across the Pacific Ocean. The distance covers approximately 2400 miles or about 3862 kilometers. In this article, we will explore the feasibility of such a journey, focusing on the speeds and times required for different types of vessels.
Speed and Time Estimates
The journey from Hilo to San Diego presents challenges unique to boat travel on the vast Pacific Ocean. Let's break down the typical speeds and travel times for various types of vessels.
Typical Speeds
The speeds vary significantly depending on the type of vessel used.
Sailing Yachts
Average speeds are around 5 to 8 knots, or approximately 6 to 9 mph.
Motor Yachts
These can travel faster, typically around 15 to 25 knots, or about 17 to 29 mph.
Cargo Ships
They often cruise at around 20 knots, or about 23 mph.
Travel Time Calculation
Here are the estimated travel times based on various speeds.
At 5 knots
About 480 hours, or 20 days.
At 10 knots
About 240 hours, or 10 days.
At 15 knots
About 160 hours, or 6.67 days.
At 20 knots
About 120 hours, or 5 days.
At 25 knots
About 96 hours, or 4 days.
Conclusion
Given the distances and typical speeds of vessels, it is not possible to complete the journey from Hilo to San Diego in under 24 hours. Even the fastest boats would take several days to cover that distance. The fastest recorded times for such journeys are still in the range of a couple of days, depending on the vessel and weather conditions.
For instance, the Destriero, which holds the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing at an average speed of 53 knots, could make the crossing in about 41 hours. However, it has been sitting in a shipyard for more than 20 years, making it an impractical choice.
The world's fastest boat, a top fuel hydroplane named ‘Problem Child’, was clocked at 228 knots. If you somehow obtained the world's fastest boat and arranged for regular refueling, it would theoretically be possible. However, traveling about 100 mph in a boat is not feasible over the ocean. The ocean is far from flat, featuring large swells and unpredictable weather.
Typically, the trip between California and Hawaii takes about 5 full days in a large ship, even if one can find a vessel on an appropriate schedule. Most people choose to fly by jet to save time and avoid the challenges of such a long and arduous boat journey.