July 13, 2024
Strikhedonia
Exploring the world and taking on new challenges
Author Archives : Chris French
July 13, 2024
July 2, 2024
Squeezing in a backpacking trip up Soda mountain
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
Adding an air bypass baffle modification to cylinder 5 on a Lycoming IO-540
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
Electric Rudder Trim on an RV-10 with an Actuator
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
Removal, cleaning, and tips to install Matco brakes on an RV-10
The Matco manual suggests unbolting the brake disc to assemble the brakes, my preference is to not touch the disc which can be accomplished with the procedure below. The trick is to use two 5/16-24 x 4 inch long bolts and two 5/16-24 x 3.5 inch long bolts. With the added length it is easy to position the inside brake…
May 21, 2024
Adventure Bike Tool Recommendations from Chris Birch
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
So long Gato Loco, thank you for the amazing memories!
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
It’s a wrap!
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
Eating and playing the day away
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
On to Agua Verde for a “moderate” hike
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
Let the good times begin!
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…
May 5, 2024
Final prep and opening night of the rally
Holy wetness, the boat was covered in dew. Yesterday we had some scout bees so my day started swabbing the deck of water. It was really nice to get a free boat wash knocking off the salt and dirt we had accumulated over the past number of days. A pod of dolphins had been out chasing the baitball we saw…