Sailing The Aleutians
March 1, 2010
Ulanah in SE Alaska
Back in January Matt the owner and captain of the Ulanah a 45 foot Ketch sailboat posted an ad on craigslist looking for a crew to sail from Unalaska (Dutch Harbor) to Russia and then down to Japan. I really didn’t have the time to offer myself for the entire trip but I was able to get a few weeks which would be long enough to sail down to Adak. We got together last week and came up with a plan that looks like it will work out well for everyone. I’ll sail for two weeks with him and his crew and when time permits we will get some diving in. It will give me a chance to learn more about sailing and to see if I’d like to pursue my plan to buy a live aboard boat myself. If all goes according to plan it looks like a departure date in the first week of June. It should not take two weeks to get to Adak but by taking it slow it will give him and the crew time get sorted out and comfortable with everything – and it will be one heck of an adventure!
If Opportunity Knocks…
February 24, 2010
then open the door! Over the past few weeks I’ve been given the opportunity to join a crew sailing from Unalaska / Dutch Harbor to Russia, down to Japan and beyond. While I’d love to join them for the entire cruise I’ve a few other things to do this summer and can’t commit to more the two weeks. In talking with the Captain he offered up a few
If Opportunity Knocks...
different scenarios – one being possible joining the crew for two weeks (or so) to Adak, then I could fly home while they continued on.
While the offer is tentative and technically unofficial I can’ t help but to share the news. Paul, one of our cooks at the hotel said it best. “Life is short, do it!” I called Matt (the Captain) and left him a message that said we should talk.
“If the opportunity is available, I’m in!”
I’ll keep you posted.
Frozen Harbor
February 21, 2010
Saturday the weather was still relatively good and I’d been wanting to get out on the water. With work and being sick I really didn’t get a chance until Saturday. I’m still sick and I probably shouldn’t have gone but – out here you should take it when you can get it.
I had made arrangements to pickup Levi at the small boat harbor at 4 when he got off of work. I knew the ice was in the bay but I didn’t know that it was solid in the harbor. As I made my way from the ‘Goose Ramp’ (PenAir sometimes takes off and lands the Grumman Goose there) out and around to the Unalaska Small Boat Harbor, I had to break through the ice in order to get to the float.
I was worried that the ice would crack and chip away the gel coating on the boat, so I went about as slow as I could. I left it in forward gear and idled through the ice until finally I made it and picked up Levi.
I took Levi on a two hour tour around the island then headed back. After I had pulled the boat out of the water I was happy to discover that no damage (that I could see) had occurred from the ice.
Time Bandit Outrigger Camera
January 18, 2010
Well over the last four years the Deadliest Catch show sure has evolved. Its a lot bigger now from a production stand point. More camera operators, more production assistants, more staffers, directors of photography. Don’t forget the technicians, story board writer, all the BTS (Behind The Scenes) staff and camera crew. Plus there a a few folks back in Burbank putting it all together. No room for us local folks that put in our time and effort. I no longer have a spot under the Special Thanks To line at the very end of the credits… but I still help out with photography, filming, logistics, last minute technical issues, diving, skiff operations.
I got a call from Zac McFarland to see if my boat and I were available to help install the outrigger camera back on the Time Bandit. Of course I said yes and headed out to the City Dock where I tied up to the Kodiak and waited for the Time Bandit to get in to position. 
Once they were tied up, I headed over and positioned the boat near bow on the starboard side. Scotty & JJ tied the boat up and lowered cameraman John Moody down and after a few hours of being soaking wet from smashing waves & winds, broken antennas (Yeah Sheila your paying for it) and barrage of verbal expletives, The outrigger arm and camera were bolted mounted and tested. Of course I took the opportunity to take some photos.
Missing Makushin
November 1, 2009
I spent some time on the water today. I had made some repairs to the engine on Kasper (My Boston Whaler Montauk)
Makushin Volcano ~ November 1, 2009
I left the Goose Ramp and made my way around Ulakta Head in to Broad and Wide Bay. I had a great view of Makushin Volcano. As I made my way further down the bay, dead on to Makushin I started to recall two summers ago when my friend Lisa and I spent a week climbing on and around it.
That was in August, I’m now thinking (with a little help of the fresh snow covering it) that a winter ski, camp and climb might be a good way to spend a week or so.
Kalekta Bay
August 18, 2009
Well sort of. An un-named cove inside Kalekta. Last weekend the weather was great and the water calm so I decided to take the boat out of a long distance run of sorts. I called Aura who is always up for an adventure to let her know I was planning on a run towards Kalekta Bay. She was in. We met up at the hotel, dragged the boat to the launch and headed out. We stopped first at Constantine Bay, then north to Princess Head and Priest Rock at Cape Kalekta then in the Kalekta Bay. Looking for a place to take a break we found this cool little cove on the east side of the bay.
Aura was able to get out and explore a little bit and reported to me how great the place was. I’ll admit now ~ it is pretty cool.
Yesterday we decided to return to the cove to explore some more. This time we brought another anchor and our diving drysuits so we could anchor in the calm of the bay, then slip in to the water and wade ashore. We spent two hours exploring the cove and the green valley behind it.
You can see more images from the adventure in the photo gallery.
Engine Power
August 3, 2009
'Kasper' - The Boston Whaler
Well after what seemed like forever, the new engine for my project boat has arrived. The Horizon Tacoma was late and our containers were some of the last to off load, so I had to wait until Saturday to pickup the beauty.
I ordered this motor for a variety of reasons. The company I ordered it from is based in Waterford Connecticut. Outboard Exchange, LLC has been rebuilding, refurbishing, servicing and selling outboards forever.
I had several options when it came to the engine I wanted. Evinrude, Mercury, Yamaha are the three they specialize in.
However, since I have an Evinrude and a Johnson v-4 88 SPL – I chose to have them send me an Evinrude that would bolt up to the OMC controls I already have installed on the boat.
It’s been six days since I installed the motor. I have had no problems at all with it. It fired right up, purred like a kitten and winked at me, like a taunt to take her out on the water to give her a test run. – Which is what I did.
It’s Friday
July 31, 2009
I’ve waited and waited and waited and I’m still waiting. The container ship Horizon Tacoma pulled in a few hours ago and the containers are being off loaded now. In one of those containers is an engine. A engine that goes on the back of my boat.
The boat has been washed, both tanks filled with fuel, electronics installed, battery charged, fuel lines installed. I just need the engine now.
THe ship was late and the UniSea containers are in the back, or is it the bottom, or is it both? I’m not sure. Rumor on the street is that were not getting out containers until later tonight. -eeeeeergh. Oh well, whats a few hours or another day at this point. I’ve been restoring this boat since Septamber of last year. I think I can handle it.
Evinrude 90
July 9, 2009
Earlier this week my new boat motor shipped from Connecticut. After working on my project motor, I realized I didn’t have the tools or the knowledge to replace a piston. I chose Outboard Exchange, LLC. for two reasons. They have a great reputation and the have the motor that I’d grown partial to. I think in all I spent $5,400 for the motor and shipping. I’m hoping it will be here in time for August and September fishing.
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Random Photo
