Project BlueSphere

Man is it good to be back on Splendid! Sorry for the lack of updates lately but I just haven’t had the option.

Life is good! My beautiful boat is right where I left her and I think she’s happy to have me back. I have a slew of projects to do and I’m going to take a few months to knock them out since hurricane season is in full swing and I don’t want to sail south now. The good news is I have a few bucks for autopilot, solar panels, and a windlass. I’m also going to purchase some awl grip, resin, glass mat and other supplies for all the work at hand.

I’m getting another check disk of the new DVD on Monday; if all is well I’ll give the order to burn 1000 copies and ship. After this huge nightmare I’ll be selling my Sony HDV camera and looking for a good standard-def camera, maybe a Canon XL-1. I’m done with Sony, never again!

Since I’ve left Panama I have sailed over 11000 miles, “unbelievable”. The world is getting so small when I look at charts. I’m so excited to go cruising on Splendid.

If I haven’t replied to an email, please resend it, I’ve had some computer issues lately.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and Splendid!!!

– Alex

Remember all the stories about the Bermuda triangle? Maybe they are true. Today I lost the ships hydraulic system which controls the baby and back stays, as well as the boom-vang.  No real big deal as I can tighten everything with the turn buckles as necessary. The throttle /shift control also seems to have issues and will be impressed if it lasts the trip. Worse case scenario is I rig something with fishing line directly on the motor and bypass the cables entirely.

Not having an auto pilot is really taxing Buddy and I. We are both really tired and looking forward to making port in Bermuda on Saturday. We both need sleep beer, and some good food. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have Buddy (Elton) here. Even with him as a first mate this trip is harder then single handing a properly outfitted boat as I still need to dedicate 12 hours a day to the helm. I was really looking forward to playing with Joss and the rig, but I just don’t have the energy to play with the sails much. Every spare moment I want to nap.

We have under 10kts of wind and the motor is working away. I’m really glad I took on 10 extra cans of petrol.

Cheers from the Bermuda triangle.

I can’t wait to sit in a restaurant and not drive the boat!

Peace everyone.

– Alex

Well it’s been a mix of weather since leaving the BVI’s. The first day it was awesome, but the first night was littered with squally weather. We had 25 – 40 kt headwinds for about 8 hours, then a peaceful 8-10 from the south west. I was hoping that the autopilot would magically wake up but no luck. Wind has been scarce but I can usually pull 5 – 6.5 knots in 10 – 12 of wind.

I got the SSB working the other day with a jerry rigged ground but it died on me again today. I also have a slight knock from the shaft and checked the tranny to the prop and can’t figure it out. I jumped in the sea today to check the bottom but all looks well, there doesn’t seem to be any play in the cutlass bearing.

Being at the helm 12 hours a day is grueling. Buddy and I are trying to maintain 4 hour shifts, the night are the hardest. We may pull into Bermuda for a rest.

Spot is cool eah? We are sending a spot every 12 hours (7am and 7pm).

It’s good to be at sea. I’ll break 10,000 miles in 14 months : )

Sail far and live slowly.

– Alex

Buddy and I sailed from Tortola to Jost Van Dyke yesterday. Joss (42’ Swan) is truly a lovely boat to sail. She is nimble, fast, and responsive. I used to be on a Swan race team many years ago and forgot how much I love these boats. Check my spot page by clicking the link above. Once it opens click on satellite to get an idea of what the anchorage here looks like.

The Soggy Dollar and Foxy’s are probably the 2 most famous beach bars in the BVI’s. Well Buddy and I didn’t make it to Foxy’s but we did manage to consume a bunch of Pain Killers at the Soggy Dollar last night.

I was going to leave tomorrow but I may push the trip one day. I need to check out the autopilot, it’s not working. I’m going to pull it all apart and check all the connections for corrosion. I also have to hook up the SSB antenna today and check in with Herb tonight (2000 UTC on 12359.0). I’ll be checking in with him every day for the duration of the trip for weather and routing. I’m thinking my passage should take 10 or 11 days.

Peace, Love and Coconuts.

Sail far and live slowly.

– Alex

One of my 2 major projects (Autopilot & Windvane) is nearly finished. The windvane was beeyatch to install!

Last year I sailed half way around the world. One of the things I learned is I want an Aries windvane steering my boat, here it is!

I had to remove Splendid’s name and hailing port as they were mounted on teak board on her stern. I also had to remove the swim ladder and SSB tuner as they all interfered with my install. I still need to buy blocks and line to run Gina’s (my windvane) lines back to the wheel. By the way Gina was my first dogs name : ) I really need to paint Splendid’s stern but I’m going to hold off till I have the time to paint the hull  and do it right. I’m just going to look a bit derelict for the moment.

I got an interesting call today. My friend has a boat in the BVI’s and wants it in Connecticut. I may fly down and do a quick delivery for some extra cash. I really would like to get a life raft before I bug out this time. When you’re on a sailboat thousands of miles away from shore you think about the luxury of a life raft!

Life is good.

Cheers everyone.

Live free, sail far!

– Alex

I HATE OUTBOARD MOTORS!!!!

I have 3 outboards and can’t get one working.

I have a Johnson 8 that came with the boat. The lower unit is seized, I’m saving it for boring day project. I have the Mercury 10 HP Sea Pro that I paid $350.00 for. I ordered a new carburetor from a shop and it showed up today and is the wrong part, ARRRGGGGG. I waited 2 weeks for it. I also have a small Nissan 2.5 that I need to go work on. What I really want to do is sell all this crap and buy a good rowing & sailing dinghy and be done with it!

The graph is a funny thing. It wasn’t the Planing/displacement line that really threw me off. It’s the fact that it doesn’t take the displacement of the boat into consideration. Anyway I’ve decided to mount it 14” from the rudder post.

I’m starting to pull my hair out with all these little projects. I’m hoping to get in front of the eight ball soon. Oh my God. I just thought of something. Maybe I have the “black spot”?

Dreaming of the island life!

Peace, Love & Coconuts.

Alex

Well the Autopilot saga continues.

My big project is fitting a tiller arm to my rudder post for the drive unit. I was planning to buy one from Edson but was shocked to find that it was nearly $500.00. I can’t justify paying that much for a piece of machined bronze. I did a little more digging and found that Buck Algonquin also makes one for less then half the price. I’m going to order one today. If you’re not familiar with Buck Algonquin they make marine hardware. You can download their catalogue here:

/portals/0/videos/buckalgonquin.pdf

I called Raymarine and couldn’t get a straight answer about the length of the drive attachment to the tiller arm. They were not too inspired to help my out with tech support on such an old drive. If anyone is good with graphs or sees what I’m missing, please enlighten me. The graph is on page 24 of the owner’s manual, fig. 23.

/portals/0/videos/AH6000.pdf

Splendid is 10 tons net, and I’m assuming about 30,000 pounds wet. I don’t understand the “Planing & Displacement lines”?

All I really need to go sailing is a GPS & Autopilot. I’d really like solar panels and a windvane but they are not in the cards for the moment.

I’m spending my evenings pouring over charts trying to see my path. I really want to visit Brazil and the Amazon. By looking at the pilot charts (wind/currents) sailing through the Caribbean isn’t too appealing. The way to do it is via Bermuda, Azores and the West African coast. This entails crossing the Atlantic twice, but its all down wind. Going back to Panama really puts me in a “Pacific” mode again which is a possibility, but I’ve already seen much of it. The fun of my life is watching it unfold so it’s all exciting to me.

Peace, Love, and Coconuts everyone.

Sail far and live slowly.

Alex

Well, I’ve started the process of putting in the autopilot. The first week of the process was mostly conceptual, “how do I mount the drive”? I found the manual to my old Autohelm 6000 ($800 on Ebay) on the Raymarine site. It is pre-GPS interface era. I never did hook up my last autopilot to the GPS so I won’t miss it. I’m still trying to figure out the graph for the drive installation. There is a graph that is supposed to tell one how far from the rudder post to attach the drive. I’m still scratching my head, and I’ll have to call Raymarine. I tested it the other day and it seems to be working fine. I have found an entire sub-culture of people who are crazy about the old Autohelm autopilots. Autohelm was made in England and is supposedly “bullet proof”, we’ll see.

Well I’m down to about $1,500! I suppose I should be more freaked out but I’m not. The DVD duplications are paid for; I have an autopilot, and a really cool 40’ sailboat. I think I did okay by selling Namaste. I did loose being in the South Pacific but I’ll be back cruising shortly.

I still need to find a Garmin GPS that reads my bluecharts. Garmin hooked me up with my last GPS but it went with Namaste. My contact left a few years ago and nobody knows about Project Bluesphere anymore. I still have my BlueChart chips which is the important part. My situation at Raymarine is the same.

I’m also looking for a compressor & paint sprayer, some tools, dive gear, and supplies for various projects. If I have enough epoxy, sand paper, paint and supplies I’ll go to a beautiful island somewhere (south of 10 degrees) and just work on Splendid. Of course I’ll set aside 3-4 hours a day to spear fish, comb the beach, read, and nap!

I’m thinking of renting out a stateroom on Splendid when I go. I’m looking for a younger guy who wants to learn about cruising and may want to join me for a spell.

Well it’s Friday and I need to get to my autopilot installation.

I hope everyone had a splendid weekend.

Sail far and live slowly.

Alex

I few people have emailed in and said they miss reading my logs. You know what? I miss writing them. I guess I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and detached from my words. What I really miss is waking up and not feeling the “pull” of the environment (society) around me. I don’t enjoy living in a synthetic milieu yet I find myself stuck in one. I think I could easily become the weird guy that gets lost in the sea and ends up totally happy traveling the world and dancing on his decks to the sound of the wind.  When I’m alone my mind wonders and I find my words, and the rhythm of my life that accompanies them. I need to sail as soon as possible!

For those of you who get my next DVD, you’ll see that it opens in the San Blas islands (Panama). In my travels I’ve found this to be the closest thing I know to Paradise. Form my research I think I’ll find the Maldives and Cocos (Keeling) islands in the Indian on the same level of peace. But for now I’d like to spend a bit of time back in the San Blas with the Kuna to detox from my time “under the thumb”. If anyone is interested in seeing the San Blas please let me know. It’s relatively easy to get to and I believe the experience of a lifetime.

I sweat over charts last night “Where to go, where to go”!!!! The circumnavigation thing isn’t so important to me anymore however I’m sure I’ll get there. I don’t feel the need to prove anything to myself which is really empowering. I thought of crossing the Atlantic next season but that puts me in Europe and that doesn’t interest me so much. That being said I think I’d really enjoy the eastern Mediterranean, then dipping into the Indian via the Suez Canal.  The cool thing about that plan is that as soon as I hit Australia I’d finish my circumnavigation and end up in the western Pacific/Indian which is where I’d like to end up.

My days are still focused of my magnificent Splendid, and my dreams are filled with sailing her over the big blue.

Only time will unravel my plans.

Sail far and live slowly.

– Alex

After a bunch of work, Splendid is getting close to sailing. I have internet for a few days and thought it was a good time to post an update video. Here it is:

/portals/0/videos/vidupdate.wmv

Don’t forget to see the Preview for the next DVD. I have to check today, but I believe they made 1000 copies over the weekend, we’ll be shipping soon!!!

/portals/0/videos/DVD2previewbig.wmv

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

– Alex

Well the one big hitch in my “gitalong” is my autopilot. I’m waiting to hear if I’m getting one sponsored “Please, Please, please!!!”, but if not I’ve bought a bunch of parts and I’m going to start the process of building one next week.

I’m also building a unique bilge switch. I really hate float switches and I’m building a failsafe dual pressure switch. I’m using 2 pressure switches with ice cube relays which are connected to hoses that will dip into the depth of Splendid’s bilge.  As the hose fills up with water it creates back pressure which will flip an electronic switch the will power the bilge pump. I have a few float switches go out on me and it’s not a good feeling. My new system will have no moving parts or wires in the bilge. All I need to do is keep one of the 2 hoses clean (easy to check) for an operational switch.

I’m also going with a new company for my charging system. I’ve had problems with my alternator charging system in the past and I’m going to try Electromaax (http://www.electromaax.com) this time. I have heard really good things about their alternators & regulators from other “hard core” cruisers.

I had a great dream last night. I was sailing Splendid on a beautiful day, not much else was going on, “perfect”!!!

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

Alex

And I’ve been working over time.

Today was grimy in the engine room day. I sorted out the bilge pump, rebuilt it, re-pluming it, re-wired it and re-fastened it. I put in a good 10m hours today and I’m almost done. Tomorrow I need to put on a couple hose clamps and tidy up the lazerette.

I want to sand and paint in there but I’m going to do it in a spot I can spearfish during the day.

All is well. I’ve been eating really healthy, not drinking, and just keeping focused on Splendid. I dream of being at sea, I really can’t wait.

Sorry for the lack of logs lately. I don’t have any internet on the boat and I’ve really been busting my ass.

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

Alex

We’ll I’ve been running around like crazy. I had a friend visit for a few days and I picked up Josh from the airport yesterday.

When I was in Tampa I went to look at a 10hp Mercury for $500.00 (paid $350.00). The guy didn’t know much about it. It didn’t have a fuel tank so I couldn’t start it, I bought it anyway. I bought a tank and turned it over. It fired right up but was misfiring. A buddy of mine and I pulled it apart and went hunting for the problem. I felt under the flywheel and found chunks of broken magnet. I pulled the flywheel off and one of the magnets that control the spark had come unglued and was on the wrong side of the flywheel. I re-epoxy’d it and I’m letting it sit up now. I ordered a carburetor re-build kit and some other parts ($135.00), I’m hoping I’ll have a good motor at the end of the day. It’s really clean and a really well built motor, it’s the “sea pro” edition.

I don’t have internet on the boat anymore and need to bring a laptop to shore to send and receive mail.

I took a “Splendid update” video and will be posting it to youtube in a few days.

Peace, Love and Coconuts everyone.

Alex

MY DVD (Finding Freedom) is done and in the mail to Burbank for duplication! Making this film is a milestone for me and a great reward of accomplishment. We will truly be shipping it in a few weeks! All I have to do is tweak the cover art and design the disk surface.

I’ll never buy another Sony camera again! I worked really hard last year (15 months ago) chartering and saving money so I could afford a really nice HDV camera (HDR-HC1). Well you may remember it crapped out on me when I was in the Tuamotos due to a moisture issue. I was so careful with my camera it was ridiculous. It lived in its waterproof pelican case and I was always very gentile with it. Sony doesn’t fix cameras with moisture issues even if it falls within the warrantee, and I never got it wet! I managed to get it working again by baking it in the sun for a day. Two weeks later the swivel touch screen died along with all the controls for the deck. I got a quote of $600 to fix it, and I just can’t afford it ARG!!! It’s time for me to start thinking of producing my next video and I’m thinking of shooting it using a simple flip (www.theflip.com) video camera. They are only $180.00 and an underwater case is only $50.00. Does anyone have one that could comment on it? I’ll have to sacrifice image quality, but I think my films are more about content anyway.

I’ll be working on my boat all day and not stressing about finishing the film : )

Peace, Love, and Completion!

Alex

Man…, it’s always something! Maybe I just got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

I got up to a beautiful sunny day and set my computer to work for a few hours. I figured I go out to West Marine and get a few things accomplished while my computer was crunching video.

I lowered the dinghy and headed for the dinghy dock. As I was about to cross the channel I slowed down for a fast boat that was going under the bridge and crossing my path. I thought the guy was going crazy fast and wanted to stay clear. Before I knew it he had his lights on and I was being pulled over. “For what I asked” I have PFD’s and a sound making device. I don’t need a light during the day “What could it be I thought to myself”. Well it turns out I was speeding with my inflatable and 8HP motor. I was also informed that I need to carry paperwork (registration) in the inflatable to prove it’s mine “How do I know you didn’t steal it” the police officer asked? “I don’t know”! Does everyone carry paperwork in their dinks? I guess I need to figure out how to keep the paper work dry? I told the cop I like to get the dinghy on plane because it saves gas. He chuckled, “That won’t hold up in court”! I wanted to scream and say “COURT…, REALLY, FOR GOING TO THE F’N DINGHY DOCK, ARE YOU SERIOUS”!!!!! I DIDN’T DO ANYTHING WRONG! It turns out they want you to go slow for the manatees. My thinking is if you want to break out the environmental card, I live on less than 10 gallons of fossil fuel a month. I’d like to see anyone touch that. The cop could have gone a third as fast as he was and still caught me in the channel. What if he hit a manatee while in “Hot Pursuit” of me? You know I’m really trying my hardest to “fit in”. I pee in a gallon jug to bring to shore to dump, and since it’s everyone business, poop on shore whenever I get the chance because my holding tank is so small. The city of Fort Myers runs sewage (raw when they can’t process it all) into the river and the sugar farmers up here dump more runoff manure into the river then I care to imagine. And I’m the F’n bad guy, really? What the hell is the matter with this place?

All in all the cop was pretty cool and let me off with a warning because I was an out of state resident (California License). Anyway, I didn’t let it get me down and continued about my day. I actually have a cop friend here in Fort Myers, so it’s not like I’m anti cops. Unless the beat up my sister of course.

You know I think I’m the most responsible person I know with money. I was a stock broker and financial advisor at one point and people paid me for my opinion about their finances. I don’t believe in credit, nor do I have any or want any. I believe we should live within our means and take responsibility for our own actions. I have a MasterCard logo on my bank account and only pay for what I can afford. I haven’t made over eight grand a year in the past 6 years, and by anyone measure, I’m financially impoverished. I don’t ask for food stamps or government assistance, and I’m completely happy being broke without credit. In fact I’m technically disabled from an accident (back fusion) when I was crushed in between 2 boats on a movie I was working on many years ago. Anyway, to make a long story short, I went to West Marine with a smile on my face. I decided to call port supply from the store because I wanted to update my account. They informed me that my account was closed. “Why I asked”? “Because your account went to collections in late 2006”. Scratching my head I asked the woman “how could you send my “cash only” account to collections, it’s cash only, I never applied for port supply credit on purpose” Well after some digging I guess someone made a internet purchase, and canceled the payment after the items were shipped to St Thomas. I told them it sounded like a “you thing, not a me thing, I’ve never bought anything on the internet, sounds like fraudulent activity”. After a long conversation I still don’t have access to my port supply account. I wasn’t even in eastern Caribbean in 2006!

How do people live like this, I just don’t understand?

I’m still not letting it get me down. I’m installing an autopilot and leaving the moment my things arrive from Australia!

I really wish everyone could see America from my perspective after being gone for so long. Where is the freedom? Everything is designed to enslave us and strip us of our civil liberties. The elections are a joke and it’s insulting to me to sit around and watch a bunch of grown men (woman) sling crap around like a 2 year old trying to make the other kids look bad. “But you did this, your minister said that”! This is really someone who is running for the presidency of the United States? Is this really the kind of person we want as the most powerful person in the world, it’s not even funny, it makes me want to cry?

Anyway. I’m sorry for venting; I’ll try and be in a better mood tomorrow.

Peace, Love, and Freedom!

– Alex

Well…, my stuff (Personal effects from Namaste) leaves Australia in a few days. It will arrive in Tampa Bay in about 6 weeks (fingers crossed). It will be arriving via Singapore, why don’t I get to go to Singapore! Oh yeah, I wanted a bigger boat.

The last of my money is running out ultra-fast! It’s about a grand to ship my stuff, and another to master my next DVD. The good news is I’m shipping it to the duplicator by the end of the week and we’ll be shipping the DVD’s in 2-3 weeks. If I just have the autopilot installed with my stuff from Australia by mid May I’ll be happy. I’ll be dirt broke again but I’ve come to the realization that’s what I do best. Frankly I’m happier when I’m forced to fish and live out in the islands.

I’ve secretly been watching my TV in the mornings, and I’m done! I’ve pulled the TV off the shelf and it’s scheduled for the dumpster. I’d give it away to someone who needs it, or sell it, but I just think its evil. I gave away my microwave and bread maker, but not the TV. If I had someone here I really didn’t like I might give them my TV, but the people around here aren’t so bad that I want to pollute their brains anymore. It’s kind of ironic that I make movies isn’t it?

Speaking of which I’ll be uploading videos to my youtube account soon. If you look just above the log here you’ll see a link to it. I’m going to start documenting as much of this refit as possible. Once the DVD is out of my hair (it’s awesome), I’ll have the time.

I cant wait to take Splendid to sea!

Hope everyone is having a gr8 week.

Peace, Love and Coconuts.

– Alex

The Autopilot will set me free. I don’t want to screw around with my pilot this time. If you guys remember I went through a few pilots over the previous years, I’m kind of hard on them.

The most disturbing time of my Pacific crossing was when my pilot failed after leaving the Palmerton atoll (Cook Islands). I really felt alone in the middle of nowhere with no way to get anywhere. I will put a wind vane on Splendid with a small tiller pilot before I cross any oceans. This will mean removing my davits which I’m cool with. I don’t think a dink should be hanging off the stern on a proper cruising boat, however it is convenient.

I got out bid on the autopilot that I really wanted. It was an old Robertson AP2000 with an HLD2000 linear drive, it went for $510.00, and I’m really kicking myself in the ass for not putting in a higher bid. The “Balls” of an autopilot are in the drive, and after a lot of research I’m finding that drives are somewhat generic. One can use a Raymarine computer with lets say a Simrad drive. Raymarine sponsored me the equipment on Namaste but not this time. My contact left and I just don’t have good communication with them any more. I have to piece together an autopilot with parts I scrounge on eBay. The one component I know I want is a Simrad HLD2000 hydraulic linear drive. I did buy an old Autohelm 6000 autopilot on eBay for $800.00 but it has a type 1 (short) linear drive and I just don’t think it is “beefy” enough for what I want my autopilot to do. I like the long Type 2 Raymarine linear drive but I just can’t find one. A new one from West Marine goes for $1749.99, ouch! I’ll use the components from the Autohelm 6000 and probably try to sell the drive on eBay. The T1, and T2 Raymarine drives are mechanical using a threaded stainless rod with an electric motor. I really want to go with a hydraulic linear drive which puts me into a Simrad drive. After doing a bunch of research I really like the Comnav autopilots. I’ve heard really good things about them over the years but I’ve never come across a used one. I think people stick with them. I hear good things about WH auto pilots as well, but once again there are no used ones about.

The photo is of my steering quadrant. Mounting the drive is another whole issue. I need to fabricate a tiller arm or buy one from Edson. A tiller arm fits on the rudder post and the linear drive attaches to it. You know the funny thing,  most people have wheel pilots and want wheels on their small to medium size sailboats. I prefer a tiller, and a tiller pilot. Now that I have a big boat with mechanical steering, and putting in a “real” autopilot in, I’m realizing that all it is, is a tiller pilot below decks with a small tiller attached to the rudder post. I had a wheel pilot on my old H34 and it was fine for light duty.

As soon as I have a working autopilot, I’ll be heading to the keys. I’m really looking forward to my first sail! What a day it will be!!!

Peace from Fort Myers Florida

Alex

I’ve been recovering from a bug since I’ve returned from Atlanta. I’m starting to feel like I’m beating it.

I had to put in a new deck fill for the holding tank. I couldn’t get it open and needed to go to the dock for a pump out and water.

I tried selling my marine air conditioner at a flee market on Sunday but nobody showed up. I’m trying to swap it for an outboard or anchor. I ended up giving away my microwave and bread maker. I have an oven for bread making and I just don’t like microwaves, they take a lot of power. I did buy a juicer. I love carrot, beet, ginger juice and it’s really nice to have. I can’t wait for mango season down in the tropics I’ll be juice crazy.

The big news is my buddy Josh. He went to change some belts the other day and found “Second Star” was taking on water. The flange where the shaft housing connects to the bulk head was rotted out and needs to be replaced. He had to turn around and head back up to the Glades ship yard for a haul out, bummer!

I did buy a used Garmin 182C from my buddy Ned. It will take my chart chips (Blue Charts) and will be a nice addition to my non-existent electronics package. I almost bought a 4 man AVON life raft on Craigslist (it’s a really good deal at $250 if anyone wants it), but I called for a repack quote and I’d be looking at about $850 additional. It’s still a good deal but too much for me at the moment. I will buy a good EPIRB before I take off.

Here are some pictures. The one in the cockpit is of Josh and I. The other two guys are my buddies Sam and Jim. Then there is one of Splendid as she sits here in Fort Myers.

I’m hoping to win an autopilot on ebay today. If not I’ll have to figure something else out. If I do win it, I’ll have to pull the steering quadrant out of the boat and bring it to a welders place. I need a piece welded on for the linear drive to attach. I’d do the welding myself but it’s aluminum and it is a hard metal to work with.

Anyway, life is grand and it’s a splendid day.

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

Alex

The guy (Jason) who found splendid for me drove down from Minneapolis to give me a hand fixing things for a few days. He’s an electronic repair tech and has been knocking out some electrical issues for me.

My generator has not been working well as the choke needs to be all the way on. Yesterday the 3 of us pulled the carburetor apart, cleaned it, and put it all back together. It didn’t fix the problem and still seems like its getting too much air. It could be a head gasket but I need to dig into it further. It runs well, it just needs a fair amount of choke. We just cant figure out where the leek is from.

I’m bidding on a few autopilots and I’m buying an off shore Avon 4 man life raft. It needs to be repacked but I’ll do it when I can afford it. I’m still searching for an outboard, anchor, and a few other things.

I’m really hoping to get the autopilot thing dealt with soon. The autopilot is what’s really holding me in one spot, I’d like to at least be down in the keys where I cold do some swimming.

The final details on the DVD are making me crazy. I’m dealing with some tech issues with the place in California, and I’m hoping to find a fix this week.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and boat projects.

– Alex

Man it’s good to be home.

I never want to leave Splendid again. Josh stayed on splendid through gale/near gale conditions. I hear it was gusting to near 50 knots.

Well I’ve managed to get myself sick. I couldn’t sleep last night and got up with a soar throat. I’ve been slow today and haven’t got much accomplished. I did manage to jury-rig my propane system and made my first cup of tea and dinner with my stove. I’ve been using one of those little butane cookers but the fuel is really expensive. Tomorrow I need to get some new propane valves, lines, and a solenoid. My next project is the refrigeration. I’m hoping it just needs a charge. Has anyone ever used a Zeer pot (refrigeration without electricity)? You can do a Google search for them. I still need to find a CQR and autopilot, not to mention 100 other things but that’s where I’m starting. I also need a GPS that accepts Gamin Blue Charts. So many things so little time! Well I’m not stressing it. Fort Myers is cool and I should be able to get a bunch of things done here. I also want a wind generator & solar panels. My buddy Ned sent me a used radar (SL 72), thanks bro. I need to call Ray Marine and get a cable for it.  Money is going to run out soon and I really need to focus on the important things. My friend Steve is sending me a tig welder and I’m going to make my own mast steps and radar mount for the mizzen. Tools are the key this time. I need to be self sufficient. My buddy Scott is closing his shop and gave me a bunch of tools yesterday, I’m psyched! It’s so cool to have great friends. I believe in always helping the people below you. When I get new things or up grade things I always give my stuff to someone who needs it. I love second, third, and forth hand boat stuff, it’s got good karma.

I’ve been looking at charts for the past hour and trying to come up with a game plan for heading south. The problem with going south is making easting, as that is where the wind comes from. I’d like to try to make it as far east as Trinidad (Venezuela). It’s important for me to be below ten degrees by July (Hurricane season). I’m still holding on to Plan B which would be to go up the east coast for the summer and fall. Crossing the Atlantic is also an option, hell what isn’t, “Let come what may”. Life is grand!

I need to turn off my phone for a few days and work. I easily get distracted and really need to focus on a few projects. The rebuild kit came in for my diaphragm bilge pump, and I bought another one from a guy up at the city dock for 20 bucks. It needs a rebuild kit as well but they are good pumps. Having multiple ways of getting water off the boat is a good thing. I also need to put a valve in my pluming before the sea strainer (Raw water intake). I did it in Namaste as well. In a pinch I could use the motor to pump water out of the bilge. One needs to be careful with this sort of thing as you can damage your motor (over heating), but I like the extra option of getting water off of the boat.

I love my boat, It’s really nice having such a large crib!

“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”

– Kahil Gibran

Peace, Love, and Life!

– Alex

Just a quick update to my last log.

I just spoke the dock master here who was ultra cool. He said I didn’t need to sigh anything and that they just want contact info in case they need to get in touch with me. He was really helpful and put all my worries at ease.

I’ll be able to stay in Fort Myers for 4-6 weeks while I get my ship together.

Cheers everyone.

– Alex

I’m really starting to feel uncomfortable back home, I don’t know if I can survive here. My sister thing (police brutality) has me really freaked out, and I guess it is a common occurrence. A friend sent me this link  http://www.hrw.org/reports98/police/uspo41.htm , I found it disturbing.

The other thing that is bugging me is I was approached by the city marina here and asked to sign a “Docking contract” for being at anchor. I asked if I could have some time to fax it to my attorney friend as I wasn’t good with reading contracts. Some of the people in the office took offense to this. I was informed that everybody signs it and its okay. I wanted to read it and explained that I wasn’t docking. I was also informed that I could only anchor for 72 hours without “special permission” from the dock master. One guy in the office said “Your in America now, we all have to sigh contracts, contracts for cell phones and contracts for credit cards”. I tried to explain that I don’t have a cell phone contract and I don’t have credit cards, they just kind of looked at me funny. I also don’t have a car, bills, or other liabilities and I believe in taking responsibility for my own actions. Is this really so strange?

The reality is I’m impoverished, broke, and happy. I don’t want to apply for unemployment, welfare, or anything else. I don’t want any kind of “government” support. The only support I want is from the people who believe in me and what I’m doing. Cant people see that “THESE KIND OF CONTRACTS STRIP US OF OUR FREEDOM”! I’m not trying to be difficult, nor am I looking for a fight. I just want to be left alone to fix up my boat over the next few weeks so I can sail out of here. I looked at charts last night and have decided to do the bare minimum to Splendid and set sail for South America, I just don’t think I can survive here, and “NO” I’m not going to buy a fishing license, “it’s my right as a human being to feed myself”, never mind my rights as an American!  When I was in the Marquesas and asked the police if I could shoot chickens with my sling shot he said “Of course, feel free to take chickens, pigs, fruit or fish, it’s your right”.

I’m kind of caught up in the “I need this, and I need that” thing. I didn’t have much on Namaste when I left and even if I do leave without an EPIRB, I’ll still be safer then if I was driving a car on the freeway.

I wonder if it is me that has changed so much, I don’t think America could have changed this much in the last 5 years?

Peace love, and sorry for venting today!

– Alex

As most of you know my writing is sporadic. Some days I just have more to say then others; today is one of those days..

I haven’t been not talking about something since I’ve been back in the states and I can’t hold it in any more. I’ve been having reverse culture shock. I inherited a television with splendid and started watching the news in the mornings and I just can’t do it any more. The “fear machine” is running full swing. Maybe I’m just not used to it but it really upsets me, perhaps most are just numb to it. I was really offended when I saw Hillary Clinton’s “sleeping” commercial. I felt like “how dare she” pray on my fears and pull the “dangerous world” card to try and get elected. It’s not a dangerous world, it’s beautiful and more people just need to see it. There are bad people and good people everywhere. I’ve only had 3 gun incidences in my life. They all happened within 14 months of each other and took place in Los Angeles.

Speaking of bad people something happened to my sister. She was having a lunar eclipse party at her house in Atlanta. A few of her friends were howling at the moon (before 10pm) and a neighbor called the police. The police knocked on the door and a guest told them they could enter. I spoke to an attorney friend of mine and he said “never invite a police officer into your home without a warrant”. Anyway, a guest let them in and they started harassing her friends. She came in to the room and asked them to leave, they would not! She asked a bit more sternly and one of the officers said “you need to clean up around here bitch”. Well one thing led to another and they ended up tazing her 3 times and breaking her arm above the elbow. It doesn’t take three tazers and a broken arm to restrain my sister on any day, maybe me, but not her. They arrested her, never read her her Miranda rights and ended up just letting her go at the station in the middle of the night with a broken arm. As I said there are bad people everywhere! I’m really sick over this thing. I’m not going to get into politics as I don’t like to preach politics or religion. I believe everyone needs to find their own way and is entitled to their own opinion; it’s what makes us Americans, and that is a beautiful thing. Let’s just not vote out of fear!

Anyway I need to go to see my sister in Atlanta. She is scheduled for surgery mid week and I’d like to spend a few days with her. And yes she is sewing the police department. Her attorney took the case on spec and said it was the worst case of police brutality he had seen.

Splendid and I are bonding. I’ll be getting rid of the television and the microwave. I’m turning the hallway between the main salon and aft cabin into a real shop. I got a real metal tool chest with drawers and I’ll be installing a vise and grinding wheel on my bench. I’ll be working on this boat for many years and organizing my shop is the first step in restoring my beautiful ship. I’m looking for a “Snap on” calendar to make my shop legit ;)

I’m having some compression issues with my computer and the new DVD. I wanted to have the video professionally compressed but I’m having a problem makeing uncompressed quick time files. I think they are just too big. The only downside to me doing my own compression is that the image is compromised but either way it will be sharper then the first DVD. It’s really frustrating when you spend 7 hours of computer time making a file and the system crashes, ARRRRGGGGG!!!!!

I love my boat!

Peace, Love, and Splendid.

– Alex

Well, I’ve made it to Fort Myers. I’m out on the hook and loving life.

I met two new friends (Sam and Jim) that I’ve been speaking to through the website for a few years now. They showed up with some provisions and a Yamaha generator for me to start my repairs with, “Whaoo” I have power, thanks guys. I told them I’d like to offer charter time in the keys in return for the favor, everyone is happy. For me the generator means power tools, and Splendid needs a lot of repairs!! Some might say she looks like a derelict boat but just wait till I’m done; she just needs love, and love she will get.

Josh and I have become good friends and I think he is really enjoying the boat life. It’s his first month with a sail boat and he’s taking to it like a fish to water.

I’m using the dinghy dock and free internet access at the city of Fort Myers Yacht Basin (http://www.cityftmyers.com/attractions/yachtbasin.aspx) and they are really nice people here, it’s nice to be in a sailing town.

I’m going to be hunting Craigs list and ebay for a 60lb CQR, windlass, big inverter, and an outboard (8 – 9.9hp) If anyone knows of something please let me know.

I bought a stereo today at best buy and will be installing it tonight, I can’t wait to have music.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and Fort Myers!!!

– Alex

I spent my first night on the hook last night and slept like a baby!

I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the work I need to do. I’m throwing away and giving away so much stuff. I’m going to go look for a little inverter today. I’ll get a 750 – 1000 watt inverter until I come across a real inverter (2500+) with remote switch that I can install and wire into the ships 110 system.

I also need to go get a battery monitor. I can’t really tell the condition of my new battery bank as there is no volt meter hooked into the system. There is an amp meter at the helm but I don’t trust it and it only measures the alternators output.

The first thing on my agenda today is making my bilge pump automatic. The bilge area is quite small. I need to get a very small float switch and attach it to a stick that I can lower into the bilge. I won’t feel comfortable leaving the boat until this is done.

Even though my rig is new I’m not going to go sailing until I’ve gone aloft and really inspected it. I’m not sailing a little 28 footer anymore and the rig will be under a much greater load than I’m used to.

My video camera is down at the moment but I shot this clip with my still camera. I wanted to show everyone my beautiful new boat : )

/portals/0/videos/splendid.wmv

I’m a bit freaked by how fast the money is flowing but I’m almost over the initial hump. I also need to go buy some speakers. I found a clarion stereo but it is not installed. I also need to figure out how to get my IPOD plugged into it.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

Alex

Splendid is floating for the first time in 5 years, The motor is running well but the generator is seized, ARG!!

Chuck really helped get me into the water, thanks bro. I’ve also made some good new friends. Scott has a fuel polishing business and had really helped out. I’ve also made friends with my neighbor Josh who has just bought his first sailboat. He is looking for someone to sail to St. Thomas with him. He will buy a return ticket for someone who can teach him to sail along the way. If anyone is interested his email address is madmonkjpc@hotmail.com.

I’m so happy to be out of the yard and floating again. I’m sorry for the lack of updated but I’ve really been trapped in the middle of a cow pasture with sailboats and no internet.

I really need to find an autopilot, stereo system, and portable gas generator. If anyone has anything they want to sell cheap let me know.

Splendid is structurally sound now. She is in dyer need of cosmetics but the hull, rig, and motor are sound. Now it’s time to sand, paint, plum, and clean.

I’ll have pictures and video posted soon.

Peace everyone.

Cheers from the water.

Alex

What a work day!!!

I went to the yard with my buddy Chuck today after spending about a grand on supplies (epoxy, sandpaper, glass, etc) and 4, T-105 6v batteries and a starting battery, what a work day.

We didn’t get to the yard till around noon but knocked out a solid work day, I’m fried. We pulled off the prop & shaft along with the cutless bearing. I also ground out some blisters. The cutlass bearing was a real _itch to get out!!!

If we really bust ass through the week I’m hoping to launch mid next week, there is so much work to be done its overwhelming. All my cleaning over the past week seems worthless as the boat is full of tools and supplies. Tomorrow’s agenda consists of putting in a new cutlass bearing, taking the shaft to the shop, and glassing up the blisters. I’ll paint in the next few days and get the motor online.

I’m somewhere between terrified and excited, with a dash of determined.

I wish I could be a bit more cognitive but my eyes are heavy and my brain slow.

I don’t know if I could pull this off without Chuck’s help, thanks bud.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and good night.

Alex

Well the system (Dark Side) is pulling me in.

I bought a Blackberry on ebay and went to AT&T to buy a pre paid plan. As many of you know I don’t have any bills or people taking money out of my account until now. I didn’t sign a contract but AT&T will be taking $41.00 out of my account each month. I know most of you think it’s silly but for me it’s kind of an invasion. The good thing is I do have a cell now, and hopefully it will expedite getting my boat together. I still need to call AT&T today and figure out how to turn on email. I want to be able to do log updates from my Blackberry as I don’t have internet at the yard.

Life is so complicated here, I want to float again!

Peace, Love, and Coconuts.

Alex

As soon as I landed in Ft. Lauderdale I drove out to my boat! My first reaction was “Oh my god what did I do”! I knew the boat was a mess but I was so tired I just wanted to find a place to sleep. You know what they say “no rest for the weary”, translation…, no sleep for Alex Dorsey!!!

For the last few days I’ve been cleaning and organizing. The bimini and dodger was a “Rubik’s cube” but I figured it out after 4 hours. It rained “cats & dogs my second day and I found all the leaks, and there are a bunch! I’ve been scrub, scrub, scrubbing!!!

There is no internet connection at the Glades boat yard, hence the lack of updates, nor is there anything around for miles and miles, just cows.

I’m borrowing my buddy’s car but driving as little as possible due to gas prices. “Boy is it expensive to live here”! I can’t wait to get the boat wet and get back to wind power. I have a bunch of work to do before that happens. I have a few blisters to fix. I have to check all the threw-hulls, change the cutlass bearing, change the zinks, get the motor running and paint the bottom. I’m shooting for two weeks???

After that I need to motor through a canal and a few locks to Ft. Myers (a day), sail around the bottom of Florida and back up to Ft. Lauderdale. After that I need to chug  to my friends house & dock in Stuart. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention my friend Alex, the doctor I met in New Caledonia is coming to join me in a few weeks. In Stuart I’ll be looking at a few months of sanding, painting, installing, etc. I think the reason my website is so successful (hits not money) is that my life is always up-side-down & backwards?

I bought a blackberry but need to get a chip this weekend. Once I get it up and running I should be able to do log updates from my Blackberry.

I’ll write more soon.

I have an awesome new boat…, ship, she’s a palace, what will I do with all the room??

Peace, Love, and “Oh my GOD!!!”

Hanging on by a shoe string.

– Alex

Good, good, good, good vibrations!!!

Well I’m flying back to California today. The flight should be under 10 hours. I hear it’s pretty rainy and cold so I’m not expecting a warm reception (from the weather).

I’m planning on taking a few sleeping pills as soon as I get on the plane to try and get a jump on the jet lag thing. My current time zone is pretty much backwards to California; I’m hoping the transition is easy.

The good thing about sailing long distances is your going so slow you body has time to adapt. When I left the Galapagos I regularly spoke to a buddy on the SSB at 1800 but as I traveled further west it just got too late to talk to him, we had to reschedule. I never had a problem wanting to rest/sleep when the sun went down.

It’s funny; I’ll cross the Pacific today in less then 10 hours. I fought the sea for 8 months to do it in Namaste, that really puts things in perspective doesn’t it?

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and California.

– Alex

Wow, I really got slammed by the Flu!!!

I know I’ve been a bit quiet lately but I’ve been really stressed out, not to mention out of my element. My trip to Tokyo is turning out to be a bust and I’ll be returning with less money for a boat then I had to begin with. It’s time to let all that go and get back to the water!!!!

On the plus side I spent good time with my old friend who I’ve known since I was 16 and made another good friend (Tomo) I also got to see Tokyo, not to mention finishing my film!

Upon my return I’ll be looking at smaller boats then I had hoped (36ish) but either way I’ll be upgrading. If I buy on the west coast I’ll spend the summer sailing my old stomping grounds (Channel Islands) in California. Then I’ll head down to Mexico and South for the winter.

If I buy on the east coast I’ll head back to the Caribbean. Either way it’s a “win-win” situation. After I release the DVD I need to finish my work with my buddy Chuck and get Bluesphere Energy off the ground. We both have a passion for clean power. We are designing a new wind generator and hope to fight the environmental battle one boat at a time. One of the biggest rewards for me in the past years is I’ve lived on clean energy.

I’m excited to go back home. I still have a lot of friends in California, it’s been far too long.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and California Dream’n!!!

Alex

I caught the Flu. I had hoped to fly back to LA on Sunday but I have to push it a few days.

I’m going to look at a few boats in LA, then fly to my buddies place in Florida. It’s been about 6 years since I’ve been back home to LA, and I must admit I’m kind of excited. I’m really jazzed to see my old friends. I hear it has been cold ant rainy in LA. It must be warmer then her though. I cant wait to see my old beaches.

Peace, Love, and California!

Alex

Now this is getting strange…, bare with me.

I had a dream that Namaste was at a floating dock and sinking. I could see both of her bilge pumps were working overtime and she was listing to port. The water between us was really polluted and someone stopped me as I was about to jump in and to swim to her. “You won’t make it, you’ll be dead before you get there” the person assured me. I woke up really upset and emailed Wojtec. Analyze that!

He sent me pictures and assured me she was fine.

It really got me thinking about things, especially freedom. Do you know most of us have no idea what it is? From the time we are born we are trained to do things on a schedule. Basic things like eating breakfast, lunch, dinner, and sleeping at certain times. We are also taught “responsibility”, and the importance of paying our bills on time, having a good job, and sending our children to “proper” schools. Admirable I guess? I just don’t want to do it till I’m 65. My mother died at 42 (my age); perhaps that’s why I took off to begin with. I didn’t want to loose my window. Death hit close to home when I was young and I think it gave me a “realistic” perspective on life.

I say “eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired, and take the time to educate your own children”. But how do we get out of “The System”?

I used to get so stressed out when I couldn’t sleep at night because I knew I’d be tired at work the next day, which actually made me sleep less. It’s just not a natural way to live. The only people I’ve known that are really free are the Kuna Indians. I’m sure the American Indians were the same way before…, well…, you know!!!

I need to be on the sea again! I’m thinking of cutting my trip here short and getting a boat ASAP, even a smaller one (34+). I now know that I need to be off the boat to produce a DVD. I could produce one every 12-14 months or so. I just need to lock myself in a room for 2 months to edit, it’s impossible on the boat, I’d rather spear fish if you know what I mean.

Johnny Depp said it best. I don’t remember the exact verbiage but it’s something like “A sailboat isn’t decks, a hull, canvas & rope, a sailboat is freedom”, it’s true, at least for me!

I watched a few Star Wars movies last night and really realized how brilliant George Lucas was in creating the series and the Jeti philosophy. The Jeti philosophy is about freedom. Not owning material things and bettering ones self through a pursuing knowledge of “The Force”. I know it sound silly but I’m okay with you laughing at me. We need to do more of this and find the time to help our fellow man. I believe we can build a better system through action. That’s what my “Operation TRAKs” is all about; I’m hoping someone else will follow.

I don’t want any more star bucks or plastic packaged food. I want to go home, and home is on the sea!

I want time to think again.

Peace, Love, and clarity.

– Alex

All work and no play makes Alex a dull boy!

I’m really sorry my bloging has been minimal lately but I’ve been soooo busy trying to put my new life together.

I did get into the YouTube thing and I’m really impressed by it. I’ve uploaded some videos that you guys haven’t seen. The first two episodes from when I was trying to keep Project BlueSphere.com an online TV show.

I was a little before my time, but the time has come. Go to my You Tube page to check out the videos:

http://www.youtube.com/projectbluesphere Please rate and subscribe to my channel if you have time. It will help my You Tube rating.

Eventually I’m going to change all the videos on Project BlueSphere to the You Tube format.

Cheers guys.

– Alex

Well guys, I have an “unofficial” copy of the DVD preview. I still need to work out the sponsor stuff but thought you might want too see some of the result of all my work. This is only 3.5 minutes, the other 90 minutes is the tuff part.

You will need good bandwidth to watch it, or just wait for it to buffer. It’s in Windows media format.

/portals/0/videos/DVD2previewbig.wmv

Cheers from Tokyo. It is rainy and cold.

Alex

Someone caught a picture of Namaste on her trek across Australia and emailed it in, I wanted to post it. It’s always a strange spectacle seeing a sailboat on a truck, isn’t it?

By the way, I really think that Asthma tea works if anyone is interested.

I’m getting a few boats for sale coming in via email, keep’m coming.

I noticed that the email portal on the website was down a few days ago, I think it was down for a few weeks, anyway its working again.

Cheers.

Alex

Not much going on today besides work. My life used to be so interesting, ahhhhh, I guess I can hold on a few more weeks ;)

Hay if your interested in SSB & Ham communications, there is a reall good thread in the forms section, check it out at

http://forums.projectbluesphere.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=147  

Cheers.

Alex

I spoke to Wojtec. Namaste has been on her own adventure trucking across Australia, I must say I’m a bit jealous. Anyway, she is back with Wojtec in Adelaide getting ready to go in the water. I do miss her. My life on the sea seems so long ago.

My asthma has been acting up and I had to see the doctor today. I also went to an herb shop and got a mixture for “breathe easy” tea. I found the recipe at http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/15/81.cfm . I think it’s really been acting up because of all the cold & dry air I’m taking in. My knee also went out again today. What’s up with me? I feel like I’m falling apart. I think a lot of it is stress and wanting to find my next home, I’m chomping at the bit!

What will 2008 bring? This question has been going through my mind a lot. Funnily enough I haven’t regretted my decision to sell Namaste. My eyes are watchful of the horizon ahead and I still know I’m on the right path. The other question that goes through my mind is “WHERE THE HELL DOES IT GO”? Who knows, but that’s part of the fun of it all.

If you know of a smoke’n good deal on a boat, please let me know.

Peace, Love and Coconuts.

– Alex

Well the DVD is done for the most part. I’m just sweetening audio and picture at this point and laying in graphics.

When I’m not working on the DVD, I’m looking at boats online. I know every boat for sale in my price range all over the world. I’ve extensively been through Yachtworld, and the other major online listings. If anyone knows of a good deal (38+) and under 40k please let me know. I’m really looking for 2 state rooms, and a seaworthy boat. I don’t want a huge project either.

It’s really a buyers market in the states and I really hope to come across the right deal. As soon as I get to Florida I’m just going to start shopping and get my new home. I’ll also be starting www.bluesphereenergy.com with a buddy and start getting people into the “clean energy” game.

Tokyo is like a ghost town. After Christmas, until January 7 everyone goes home for the holidays. Most shops are closed and it’s really quiet.

I just realized I’m not getting all my email so if you have sent me an email in the past month or so, and I haven’t responded, please resend it in a few days.

Anyway, back to work.

Peace, Love, and Sailboats!!!!

– Alex

Remember when I said I was only going to have 2 drinks on New Years, well…., I’m a big fat liar!

Taro ended up buying 19 bottles of champagne for our table, plus I had my 2 drinks at the bar, and a few tequilas.

It was a bad 2 day hangover but I’m starting to come back to life.

Taro is taking off to visit family for 5 days so I’ll be here alone putting the finishing touches on the DVD.

I have also been working with a few brokers in the states and plan to buy my next boat within a few weeks of returning. I need my next home. I’m really excited about some of the prospects.

Peace, Love, and Aspirin.

– Alex

I am the voice of reason from the future; I am speaking to you from 2008!!! “GO SAILING”!!!

Neener, neener, neener I had a New Year before you (well, most of you).

Anyway, I’m off to eat a soba (traditional) Japanese New Years dinner, then to a restaurant/club to watch the count down, obviously not the one in Times Square. I’m going with my friend Taro and Tomo.

My plan is to only have 2 drinks because I really want to work tomorrow and not nurse a hang over.

Okay people it’s time to start thinking of New Years resolutions. Mine is to get a bigger boat, charter, and live more comfortably as I travel around the world. What’s yours?

Today I made Taro drive me an hour and a half to the marina so I could see the sea one last time this year. We met with Taro’s old friend June. I took Taro and June sailing to Catalina Island on my 27 foot Erickson 12 years ago when they visited me in California. June showed me his sail boat and it was refreshing to be aboard. The wind was howling at over 50 knots and it was cold, cold, cold!

Well anyway, cheers everyone, and Happy New Year from Tokyo.

– Alex

I went to the old section of Tokyo with Taro today.

I took, and uploaded a bunch of photos of Tokyo today, and a few from Australia. After lunch I twisted my knee and went through some major PAIN!!!! I hate getting older!!!!

I’m still working like a banshee but getting through the DVD. I’ve been searching the internet for boats and can’t wait to be back in the captain’s seat.

I miss Namaste, I think she is on a truck crossing Australia now. I feel far from the sea and my old life. However I know I’m on the right path.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and Happy New Year.

– Alex

I’m working like a dog, sorry for the lack in updates, I’m ultra focused on the next movie “Finding Freedom. Alone across the Pacific”

I’m finished cutting picture and editing the sound for the most part. I have all of my music tracks laid in, and I have the script written. All I have to do now is record the voice-over (narration), and lay it down. I still need to put in some sponsor logos and sweeten the picture and audio. It’s been a really big job, but will be well worth it. I’m proud of it.

For Christmas day, Taro took me to a spa (http://www.olivespa.co.jp/top.html), we laid on hot stones from Fujiyama and sweat like mad, it was really relaxing and the first time I’ve been really warm since I’ve been in Japan.

Today was a traditional cleaning day. It is Japanese tradition to clean ones home and office the week before the January first so not to bring any dust into the New Year. I guess it’s like our spring cleaning.

Taro’s main business is natural rose oil and rose water. You can check out his site at www.la-vitae.com I’ve been using his rose water spray on my old, sun damaged skin and it is a really awesome product. If anyone has a store in the states and wants a sample sent let me know.

Happy new year everyone.

– Alex

I had a really nice evening at Taro’s house.

Taro had photo albums of us back in high school (26 years ago) I looked so young, what happened? I used to be not half-bad looking a realllllly long time ago.

We had a big traditional Japanese hot pot for dinner, and a few large bottles of saki, yeeehaaaaa! I don’t think he wanted me to put his dog (arti-arti) in the hot pot, but it made for a funny picture.

Taro got me a warm jacket since I don’t have one. I’ve been getting along with layering a few layers of micro fleece (burrrrr), now I’m ready for the arctic!!!

Today I’m working on the DVD and taking a slow day.

Happy Holidays everyone

Peace, Love, and Christmas Saki

– Alex

Life is strange!

I get up, take a shower, eat breakfast, drink coffee, and go to work. I work for about 12 hours a day while dreaming of being on the sea again (strange-o-reverse-o)!!! I even drink the evil brew of Starbucks ($4 for coffee… right)!

Tokyo is a cool city, actually its pretty cold. I don’t get out all that much, but when I do, I feel pretty foreign. In order for me to go to a noodle house or something I need to make sure the menu has pictures, how silly is that?

All I can say about the DVD (“Finding Freedom, alone across the Pacific”) is I’m really, REALLY pleased with the way it’s turning out, I hope you guys will feel the same.

I’m sorry I’m not writing much at the moment, but it will be well worth it.

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and Work, Work, Work!!!

– Alex

I’ve been working triple time!

I get up early in the morning, around 6:00, work till about noon and go for a stroll to find lunch. After lunch I’m editing until I’m ready for bed. This is what I really needed, a quiet place to finish my DVD with a solid internet connection.

I think this next DVD is the best thing I’ve ever done and is a perfect sequel to the first DVD, I’m quite happy with it. I’ll be done in a few weeks.

There are not many of “my kind” of boats in Japan but I did find one. Sun Seeker is a 35’ Baba. It’s a bit smaller then what I’m looking for, but what a beauty! I kind of like the idea of continuing my trip from here. I would sail back down to Bali and continue my circumnavigation into the Indian Ocean. I took a break yesterday to look at local charts. How cool would it be to cruise the Philippians, South Korea, China, and Indonesia? It’s nice to dream!

Cheers everyone.

Peace, Love, and Dreams!

– Alex

I’ve really been busting my ass on the DVD, I can see the end in sight, and I’m thinking I’ll have it done in 3 weeks.

I went out yesterday and bought another hard drive so I could backup my project, I’d really freak out if I lost it at this point! Anyway I did a backup last night and fell much better. I hated spending the money but it had to be done. I got a Western Digital 500 GB drive and a case for around 20,000 yen, about $200.00.

Today I’m working, and planning on staying in my little room and knocking it out till I’m done. I’m thinking about buying a dual layer DVD burner with laser writer and making the DVDs myself this time, actually I’ll send it to my buddy Ken who takes care of all that.

Cheers from Tokyo.

– Alex

I’m all set up and working on the next DVD which is coming out quite good.

I’m really missing being warm! I always cold and wrapped up more then everyone else. I could really use a good dose of heat & sunshine.

I’m also working with Taro and Tomo on my funding proposal which is really starting to take shape. I can’t read it however, it’s all in Japanese.

Life is cold but good.

Peace, Love, and sunshine

– Alex

I don’t want to get soft!!!

My apartment in Tokyo is very nice. I can take as many hot showers as I wish, the refrigerator runs all the time and I can set the ambient temp to anything I’d like. I have full time fast internet, a phone, and a really comfortable bed. Taro runs me around in either the BMW, or Benz, and I feel very far from the sea and a life that is familiar. The biggest luxury is the commode, check this thing out! When you flush it the sink runs to wash your hands, when you sit it heats your bum, and does a warm water “washi-washi” thing when you’re done. Do we have this in the states, it’s quite civilized!

Tokyo feels very much like NYC, but with a really large Japanese population.

I wanted to post a picture of my view.

I also put up some photos of New Caledonia in the gallery; I’ll get the Australia ones up soon.  

Let me know of all possible boats for sale over 38 feet with 2 cabins.

Peace, Love, and Washi-Washi!!

It’s WINTER!!!

I knew it would be winter, but my salty bones are take’n a good shock from the cold!

I will miss my friends in Australia. I was only there a week but Ross, Kevin, Maria, Roseanne and Maddy, really made my stay unforgettable, thanks guys.

My flight was good; I think Japanese Air is the best airline I’ve ever flown. Everyone gets a personal entertainment center (Movies & games), the food was good, and the hostesses were really attentive. It was a 9 hour flight.

I stared out the window for hours looking at the sea. It really hit me how far I’ve sailed, “the pacific is vast, and I crossed it in a very small boat”. I feel really positive about myself as a sailor and my confidence level. The world is small to me now. I feel as if it sits in the palm of my hand.

Ross told me that “Project BlueSphere” really made an impact in his life, and he will be going cruising soon. I always told myself “If I only inspire one person to live their dream I’ve done my job”. I know I’ve inspired many and I feel really good about Project BlueSphere and its evolvement into a more positive energy.

It’s time to get some work done!

I have the fastest internet connection I’ve had since I left the states 5 years ago, it’s really nice. I’ll be working on some pictures to upload.

Over the next few days I need to put a sponsorship proposal together for “Operation TRAKS” (Totally Random Acts of Kindness) and take a few meetings.

I’ve been hunting around on Yacht world and I really want to get into a comfortable boat that I can live and work on. Alex will be joining me soon and is into the project as well. She is a bit shy and wants to see the pictures of her that I upload; I can’t blame her because I edit all my own photos. Actually when I look bad in a photo (9 times out of 10), I just delete it. She gave me the thumbs up on one picture but I look really bad in it so it’s not going up.

It’s really good to see my old friend Taro. I met him in 1982 in High School. Last night we went out for a really nice dinner and I had a bit too much Sake, lots of laughs.

He is going to Osaka on Monday and I’m going to set up my computer, all my drives, and DVD burner and start work on the DVD. I’m hoping to get through it while I’m in Tokyo. When I get back to the states I’ll be working with my buddy chuck on the Solar Panel and wind generator thing. It’s really important for us to get into alternative power sources and if anyone is interested in green power let me know.

Cheers everyone,

Peace, Love, and Tokyo Baby!!!

– Alex

Hi everybody,

I’m crazy running around packing, and moving my stuff to my buddies house. I wanted to post a picture of Brisbane; it’s really a nice city. I’ve been a bit bummed, it’s not so easy leaving my home. Change is always a bit scary however necessary in life, right??

I’ve got a ticket to Tokyo and I’m leaving on the 6^th.

Cheers.

Alex