Maui: 5 days between Nov ~19 - Nov 27

[babymama]

Hey guys
I am bored at work, changing jobs and vancouver is sunny with no wind. WHY?. So now I am dreaming about a 5 day trip to Maui.
Where to go?
Where to rent?
Is it worth the trip for 5 days?
Where to stay?
Who is coming?
m

[Michael]

Funny you should bring that up. I was talking that over with my wife today and the idea of me taking a solo trip to Maui didn't go down so well. We're going there in March anyways so I'll have to wait until then.

[Tony360]

I have been in Maui since the 8th and there has been no wind at all. The surf has been pumping the entire week though so no complaints.

Trades are forecast to start blowing on Sunday the 17th and continue for the rest of the forecast period.

We stay at Maui Kamaole in Kihei which is a 20 minute drive from Kanaha. CG and his crew stay up near the airport at Camp One and are able to kite outside their door. Googling VRBO should give you a lot of options on the north shore.

With the current forecast I would definitely say it's worth it!

[C36]

Maryam:

If you are travelling solo and going for a short stay you might want to consider other options where they provide an all inclusive experience as a package deal - so you can avoid all the booking admin and driving around.

MAUI

We did a family trip to Maui in 2012 so some of the information is getting a little dated, but here is a what we did.

ACCOMMODATION

We split our stay between a suite on a private up-country compound in Makawao and a private north shore beach front condo in Spreckelsville. The second place we stayed can be booked through Vela with equipment on site. For advice and availability call Andrea at http://www.vacationmaui.com/

VANS/CARS

I rented an 'old van' and used it as my gear locker. We also also rented an 'old' wagon as the people mover for the family (for day trips and to free the family to do what they want while I sail).

Aloha seems to have bought out Al West's Van, but they still offer 'old' windsurfing vans with inside racks, beach chairs and coolers for $200/wk.*

The also offer 'old' Ford Escort wagons for about $185/wk.*

* Note you have to do a search by date before these come up as options.

GEAR

I wanted to maximize my time on the water when I have 'windows of opportunity' and avoid wasting time travelling back and forth to the shop to 'trade' gear. I rented two boards and demoed a third - 2 RRD board/5 Ezzy sail/5 mast quiver/2 booms from Second Wind (they did this for the discounted price of 2 x 2 sail complete package if prebooked/prepaid).

Kanaha Kia (Starboard/Hot) seems to be the cheapest - if you take advantage of their 20% prebook/prepay discount (more than 2 weeks out).

Maui Windsurf Company (Goya/Goya) / Second Wind (RRD/Ezzy) are almost the same and slightly more expensive even if you take advantage of their prebook/prepaid discount.

Neil Pryde Maui (NP/JP) was the most expensive and does not appear to offer a prebook/prepaid discount (on their website, but I have not spoken to them directly). I am not even sure they are still operating.

Maui Windsurf Company also has an interesting demo program - click here for details.

Goya (at the Cannary in Hiku) also has an interesting demo program (free).

INSURANCE

Trip Cancellation Insurance: I picked it up because we prepaid for a number of things and there were four of us travelling ($$$)

Travel Health Insurance: a good idea IMHO (high cost if you have an accident).

Car Insurance: Our car insurance covered one rental car.

1) If you have taken the optional coverage through the private carrier (can't remember their name right now), they also offer similar coverage - check your policy for details.

2) Make sure to check to limitations on gross vehicle weight, spouse/family members as drivers, number of cars you are renting (only one rental car maybe covered) and number of days (max 30 often applies) - check your policy for details.

3) If you don't have either (or are renting a second car), coverage can be pre-purchased through ICBC for about $10 a day (collision, liability, comprehensive). I am not a big fan of ICBC, but in this case you get good coverage for a reasonable price IMHO.

4) If you have 'rental car' coverage through your credit card, read the fine print as some cover collision (but might not cover 'loss of use' to rental car company) and some do NOT cover liability, and/or comprehensive - check your policy for details.

Bottom line = you can save a lot of money, but make sure you have adequate coverage.

Hope some of this was of use.

[Mike]

M - I hear you about the solo Maui trip idea.

The above posts sounds like a good description of planning. The main thing I can add is that of your coming to sail for a short time, keep a close eye on the forecast as you could miss the wind. Having said that, according to wind guru the wind should reappear this coming Monday with hopefully moderate surf.

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc ... sty=m_spot

http://omaui.com

We're often tied up with my wifes physical issues but if there's wind I'll be out at the beach.

One thing I notice is there is definitely some variation from forecast to reality but it does look good wind wise next week. Surf wise could go either way. The omaui text updates about once per week and the folks at the shop seem to look use it. Wind guru surf at 2+ usually means big. Less can still peak over head high at Kanaha but sometimes can be nothing.

[babymama]

You guys are the best windsurfing brothers I can ever ask for. Always supportive. Always responses. Big hug

I will look at the forecast, and will see. Just day dreaming so far.. Hopefully by then the forecast here changes a bit too.

[Bryanl]

Hi
For 5 days - maybe contact Hawaiian Sail & Surf - they can hook you up with everything - Car, Gear, Accommodation.
Stay away from the Hostels - bad part of town.
If you can - go for it - lots to do besides Windsurfing