Kona Here We Come

We have turned the corner. Now on a course of 345T direct to Hawaii Island

Our original intent was to make landfall on Oahu near Pearl Harbour at Ko Olina Marina. Well the winds

are supposed to be quite dosile over the next several days and our crew have never seen a Volcano

before so we thought we might give them a treat and show one of the bigger ones off. So landfall will

be at Honokohau Harbor. It is a state owned marina with a private fuel dock where we can clear customs

and immigration. We anticipate landfall on Sunday afternoon to early evening. As I write this blog my

chart plotter shows 2 days and 3 hours to my outer weigh point. Only time will tell if it is earler or

later than that. If the wind picks up to 15 knots it will most likely be earlier but if it drops below

10 it will be after dark. Wish for the best and take what is given to you. It will delay us meeting

up with Bob and Ann by a day or two but I am sure they understand and possibly Bob may need some time

on shore and Ann some vocal practice with the locals. Never fear we will be there shortly.

The cronic engine problem finally tipped its hat. This morning while I was at the helm before everyone

else woke the engine did something different. We had been running it at 2100 rpm all night with a

couple times during the night when it would flutter and try to die only to work its rpms back up to the

2100. So I am sitting there when the engine didn't flutter and slowly drop in rpms but it was almost

like I pulled the stop cable to shut off the fuel only it did take off again. The action indicated

that there was some obstruction in the fuel line. When we had a similar problem with the starboard

engine we pulled out the pick-up tube and there was a substantial amount of goop covering the screen.

We pulled Mosese' bed all apart to get to the fuel tank and removed the pick-up tube to find if

completely covered with crud. Not only was it covered with crud but it looked like there was a

sufficient amount on the screen just below the tube opening that it created a suction that indented the

screen. We got it all cleaned up and put back into the tank and then we attacked the first stage fuel

filter housing. We completely remove it and cleaned it before putting it back in. Then we used some of

my scuba air to blow out all the fuel lines before completely re-assembling it.

After priming the lines we fired it up. I reved it up to 3000 rpm and then back to neutral and engage

the transmission into forward gear. With then engine under load I ran it up to 2900 rpms and it never

hickupped... It has been running at 2300 rpms for the past hour so it is in the best operation since

leaving Western Samoa.

I am crossing my fingers that we have solved the problem. Now I just hope we can get several

replacement fuel filters to make the trip from Hawaii to the Pacific Northwest.

Also the most important thing is for me to formally wish my lovely wife a happy anniversary. Number 11.

All for now.

John