Sailing Alone from Oregon to Hawai’i
July 2, 2025 · 1h 12m · 257K views
What this video covers
A solo sailor departs Warrington Marina, Oregon, to cross the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii aboard his sailboat, With Phoenix | Oliver, accompanied by his cat, Phoenix. The passage begins with a transit of the Columbia River Bar during a small craft advisory, requiring motor-sailing through 6-to-8-foot waves. During the voyage, the vessel experiences a complete rudder failure when steering wires pop off the quadrant, forcing the operator to lash the wires to stabilize the helm. Additional mechanical issues include a loose, leaking stanchion and a malfunctioning gimbal on the stove. The sailor maintains contact with the U.S. Coast Guard to report the rudder status until the situation stabilizes. Throughout the 22-day journey, the crew manages sail trim, including reefing the main and furling the jib in 19-knot winds, while dealing with seasickness, food spoilage, and rapid corrosion of deck hardware. The passage concludes with an approach to Waikiki Harbor. Proper maintenance and redundant lashing of critical steering and rigging components are essential for solo offshore passages.
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