July 30, 2024
A great, restful night’s sleep felt so good, sunrising at 6:30am felt strange however since it was 4:15am in Alaska the past three weeks. No complaints, the scenery and temperatures are perfect. Carl put me to grinding the coffee beans and soon enough it was a “To the day!” cheer. After some breakfast, Roxy and I piled into the dinghy…
July 29, 2024
Getting nearly halfway around the world is not without some effort. My trip from Anchorage to Nadi, Fiji started with a flight to Honolulu where I had a two hour layover. What a cool airport, open air walkways with individual buildings for each gate and a very nice garden in the middle. Exploring the Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian gardens kept…
July 2, 2024
With not much time before leaving for Alaska and Fiji, I really wanted to get in a backpacking trip. I wish there had been more time but alas only a single night could be squeezed into my schedule. A massive bonus was that I was the first one on the trail for the year. Well maybe not a massive bonus…
June 26, 2024
The back right cylinders on Lycoming engines are always the hottest on Van’s RV planes. I’ve not had any major issues (with CHT temperatures) on cylinder 5 until recently. Departing Las Vegas at 6:45am in 90+ degree temperatures it took a lot of playing with my climb rate and oil cooler dampener to keep the CHTs in line, and even…
May 29, 2024
After a number of questions on VansAirforce.net about my rudder trim system, I decided it was to for a post to help others who may be interested in a similar system. I wanted a system that would move the entire rudder and could be adjusted via a switch on the panel. Originally I purchased the Aerosport Products Rudder trim but…
May 29, 2024
Each Condition inspection I have battled the reinstallation of the Matco brakes. The issue is that there is almost no room to get the inside brake pad lined up and start the bolt. I’ve spent upwards of 40 minutes getting one bolt started, frustrating and a total waste of time. I’m embarrassed it took me this long but I finally…
May 21, 2024
While looking around for a breakdown of what KTM legend Chris Birch carries for tools, I found a video he published back in 2020. This is a list generated from that video with links to the manufacturer specific items.
May 10, 2024
With a requirement to be off the dock by 7:00am there was movement on the boat a bit after six. Scott and I bought four more bags of ice and packed the cooler. I did some final prep work to see Gato Loco off. Some coffee worked to wake everyone up and soon we were joined by Eddie and Marcia…
May 9, 2024
With winds overnight I had turned on the anchor alarm around midnight and kept an eye on it until morning. My 4:45am alarm got us up and moving and with just a tinge of light, the anchor was pulled and we motored north. The forecast was winds for the first 12nm from wind pouring in from the Pacific. The possibility…
May 8, 2024
A tradition created by Ralph and Helen on SV MoonDrifter has been continued with the new owners (jaja since 2020) Bill, Ally, and Corey, which is to host French Toast the last day of the rally. And wow did they hit it out of the park this year. Tons of bacon, every possible topping for your French toast, and a…
May 7, 2024
Typically on Isla Monserrate I enjoy a morning hike up into the hills of the island but we woke to an absolute swarm of bobos. Unbelievably worse that Refugio even. It was quickly decided that we were leaving now. Lowell called on the radio to inform the fleet and the reply was that plans had been updated to head for…
May 6, 2024
A quick run for a few items and some ice from the store and we were ready for the catamaran line sail out of Puerto Escondido. A delay getting the charter boats off the dock but by 10:30 we were parading out of the channel with Eddie from West Coast Multihulls capturing it all with his drone. No much wind…