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Yellow Fin @ Kaena Point, 2019.01.10

8GCBC

Registered User
Oahu
Nice surprise and food during the Winter months.

2019.01.10
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Always, spend the night at Pokai Bay.
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Waves are 20-35 feet today at Kaena Point (NWS estimations).
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OAHU-333 AM HST SAT JAN 12 2019
HIGH SURF WARNING FOR NORTH AND WEST FACING SHORES
Surf along north facing shores will build to 20 to 30 feet today. Surf will peak at 28 to 35 feet tonight, and continue through Sunday.
Surf along west facing shores will build to 15 to 20 feet today. Surf will continue to build to 18 to 25 feet tonight, and continue through Sunday.
Surf along east facing shores will be 3 to 4 feet through Sunday.
Surf along south facing shores will be 1 to 3 feet through Sunday.

Aloha!
 

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8GCBC. Was that you that got your helichopper license recently?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
8GCBC. Was that you that got your helichopper license recently?

Yes Steve...PPL, 80 hours Total Time. Amazing I can fly a chopper. I needed a lot of help to get this far!


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Awesome, I saw that on Backcountry site and thought that was you.

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The end of November I got my commercial add on. Now I’m looking for a Schweizer. It’s a hoot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

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Awesome, I saw that on Backcountry site and thought that was you.

View attachment 40864The end of November I got my commercial add on. Now I’m looking for a Schweizer. It’s a hoot.

Very good. Congratulations! Looking forward to getting a commercial too. In the mean time, attending RHC Pilot Safety Course on 04-FEB. Passed the RHC Mechanics Course (which is very thorough) 07-November. Agreed, it’s really a hoot flying a chopper for sure!

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Is this Hawaii's version of Timothy Treadwell?

Web

God bless Timothy. What a story!

The simple thought of being that close to a 20’ Great White terrifies me. My instinct is to stay away, as far as possible. But, I known a guy who swims with sharks off the Big Island. He flies Cubs and Maules etc., and lives in Idaho.


When not flying taildraggers in Idaho, my good buddy, hunts in deep water around the Kona FADs. These are amature photos. Just for fun. Never see me doing this.
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Getting ready to fish West Oahu FADs (Fish Aggregation Devices) this weekend with Mary. I usually fish solo so I need to make accommodations for two. It’s nice to have a commercial icehouse next to us, 80LBS for $12.00. Surf forecast is important because the channel at Pokai Bay (West facing) is only about 12’ deep. Large waves could close it off. 8-10’ surf should be OK to get in and out over the entrance reef. The boat is pretty fast too.

“NWS Hawaii” said:
OAHU-350 AM HST FRI JAN 18 2019
Surf along north facing shores will be 10 to 14 feet today, lowering to 6 to 8 feet Saturday.

Surf along west facing shores will be 8 to 10 feet today, lowering to 4 to 6 feet Saturday.
Surf along east facing shores will be 2 to 4 feet today, increasing to 3 to 5 feet Saturday.
Surf along south facing shores will be 1 to 3 feet through Saturday.

Pokai Bay, a lovely anchorage to relax, surf, swim, and canoe....
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The notorious “V” FAD:
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Diamond Head and Honolulu fading into the sunset.
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This weekend fishing the same waters as this Great White. Last seen off Oahu this week. I’m keeping my toes out of the water offshore (Credit BBC, Reuters).
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Aluminum is the material for a small fishing boat in my opinion. Sharks never liked the taste.
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Leaving Ala Wai Channel last trip:
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NWS Forcast is great for being on the water this weekend!!
Oahu Leeward Waters-
JAN 17 2019 17:11:00 HST
JAN 18 2019 13:11:00 UTC
TODAY
Northeast winds 15 knots. Wind waves 4 feet. Northwest swell 7 feet. Scattered heavy showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then isolated showers in the afternoon.
TONIGHT
Northeast winds 15 knots. Wind waves 4 feet. Northwest swell 7 feet.
SATURDAY
East winds 15 knots. Wind waves 4 feet. Northwest swell 6 feet.
SATURDAY NIGHT
East winds 10 knots. Wind waves 3 feet. Northwest swell 5 feet.
SUNDAY
Southeast winds 10 knots veering southwest in the afternoon. Wind waves 4 feet. Northwest swell 4 feet.

Aloha!!
 

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Congratulations on the Heli rating, looks like a blast!

Thanks too for hosting the pacific population of great whites - for awhile anyway.
We used to do an annual free dive trip to Guadalupe Is off the coast of Baja for Bluefin. One trip (last trip) the water was particularly clear, 150’+ vis, we were astonished at the White shark sightings we were experiencing while in the water. No aggressive behavior but pucker factor was high. Previous trips we would occasionally loose fish when they ran after being speared, chalked it up to Oceanic White tips which were ever present, bold and pesky but small. We could now only assume Whites were always there on previous trips but were shadowing us just outside viz range waiting for an easy meal.
In the 80’s a guy was chomped out there, blead out on the deck of the boat and rode the 18 hr trip home to San Diego in the fish hold.
Pretty isolated incident considering all the hours we’d logged in the water out there since.

Past two springs have been banner years for both Bluefin and YF off San Diego coast in US waters. A buddy took the state BFT record, around 235#. Several fish in the 200lb were speared, YFT’s over 200 as well.
Eager to see what this spring has in store.

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Fantastic catch Oliver! Thank you for the report:

...Past two springs have been banner years for both Bluefin and YF off San Diego coast in US waters. A buddy took the state BFT record, around 235#. Several fish in the 200lb were speared, YFT’s over 200 as well.
Eager to see what this spring has in store.

Back from the weekend fishing the West side. Nothing was caught, very little activity no schools etc. the fish seemed to have vacated. The whale carcass is back floating off Pearl Harbor, Kona winds blew it back to the island. It’s getting more attention than the shutdown around here.

Good news: The Alaska whales are here enjoying Sun and playing around. It seems this year the Humpbacks are getting bigger? I saw several Humpbacks breaching and it looked like a nuclear sub flying in the air. Unreal size. I’m pretty blasé around whales but, the breaches this weekend really caught my eye.

Random photos from MLK holiday weekend:

I took my first ride on this Boeing 929 Jetfoil in the 70s. It changed owners many times and has been decommissioned. Looks like it’s impounded at Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor.
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The Hokulea, back from a circumnavigation. The sister ship is back from San Francisco.

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USCG was patroling.
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I was rushing a bit and decide to bring a bunch of junk food. Not too smart. But, it kept us alive.

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Always keep the boat “organized”:

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Makaha was not too crowded (surf was small, North was “Mo beta”)

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Pokai Bay seen from “R” FAD:
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“Kona” winds (South, or Leeward) made anchoring a pleasure. Very calm. Hot with high humidity however.
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Aloha and Mahalo for reading!

Note: only one more weekend before we remove the boat to dry land and head to the Robinson Factory for the Pilot Safety Course. The Certificate is good for a CFI refreasher too!

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You’re wise to respect the power and size of breaching Humpbacks,
quite a spectacle for sure, but a few years back a breaching humpback crushed a small powerboat within sight of the harbor off Santa Barbara, Ca.
Not sure if it was an intentional move on the part of the whale. Sure the boat was pestering it as is often the case with tourists trying to get selfies with wildlife these days.

Sorry to hear the fish weren’t on board with your plans, maybe theyre headed for the mainland :)
 
You’re wise to respect the power and size of breaching Humpbacks,
quite a spectacle for sure, but a few years back a breaching humpback crushed a small powerboat within sight of the harbor off Santa Barbara, Ca.
Not sure if it was an intentional move on the part of the whale. Sure the boat was pestering it as is often the case with tourists trying to get selfies with wildlife these days.

Sorry to hear the fish weren’t on board with your plans, maybe theyre headed for the mainland :)

I found a few videos of whale vs boat encounters. Hard to imagine a creature that size airborne!


Luckily, I have never felt directly threatened by a whale (only my perception). However, I am extremely cautious of their presence. There were a few that liked my Catalina 30 and would follow me around at times. Also, kayaking, I had a pod literally surround me and we were “eye to eye”. But, never had any bad vibes so far.

Humpbacks can weigh up to 66,000 LBS, comparable to the basic empty weight of a DC-9 aircraft. My little boat weighs 8,500 LBS and made of soft aluminum 5056. Always watching out!

Give us an updated from the West Coast on the fishing if you like!
 
Good news from the Ala Wai:

Flossy has recommissioned her boat. Tomorrow her and I will be sailing the trade winds, fishing for Yellow Fin (or if you like “Shibi”). Not sure if we go Molokai or Kaena? Making a last minute check of channel weather tomorrow.

Just want to pass on a local tip: One of the best ice houses in the Pacific https://www.hawnice.com/ and very convenient location.

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Previously good areas...
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Aloha.

(Then flying to Kona for recurring training @ Mauna Loa Helicopters.)
 

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Bluefin are back off so cal coast.
last weekend:
250-270lbs
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Bluefin are back off so cal coast.
last weekend:
250-270lbs
View attachment 43494View attachment 43495View attachment 43496

Excellent! One of the best tasting fish! Water looks really calm, were you inside the “Pt. Conception Shadow”?

I followed a school with lures over on the West side of Oahu but, the fish definitely were not interested. Came up empty handed. Over here in Oregon there are huge bunches of boats near shore, I’m guessing Halibut? Getting the little R44 ready for a camping trip to Nehalem Bay, Oregon.

If you have anymore fishing news and/or pictures I would love to see?

<break>


Nehalem Bay camping 2019.MAR

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Aloha!
 

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I’m guessing the boat activity off Oregon is sport salmon?

So cal waters are in the lee of pt conception and typically calmer.
that said, forecast is for 25kts and building seas for awhile.
We are dependent on calm water when locating schools of fish, spotting “breezers” breaking water. Try to anticipate general direction of school and get out in front of them and drop a diver in the water. Generally the fish don’t show up as planned, occasionally they’ll spook and sound out of range. But when all the stars align it’s absolute adrenaline fueled mayhem, empty blue water suddenly filled with tons (literally) of tuna in all directions, screaming past. With elevated heart rate and adrenaline, breath hold is limited to about 15 seconds, things happen fast and suddenly the entire school is gone, empty blue water.
If you’re lucky and had the discipline to pick out ONE fish, track it, lead it and get a spear in it the real fun begins. You are now an anxious spectator of an epic battle between fish and a series of floats and shock absorbing lengths of rubber cord.
Bluefin are hell on equipment and can pull a series of bouys down for minutes at a time, seemingly an eternity. At this point you are reliving that moment in your mind, over and over, of the shot and placement, will it hold?
Occasionally bouys will all burst to the surface indicating a torn off fish, or failed tackle. Otherwise, one will pop up, reluctantly bob just breaking the surface, followed by another, then another, indicating the fish is wearing out. There’s been occasions where a diving fish will take floats so deep that they compress and loose buoyancy never to be seen again. The weight of a dead 200 lb Bluefin will take down a 20 liter float. Stouter floats filled with compressed air seems to have helped.
Fight lasts typically around a half hr to 45 min. One would be wise to stay well clear of gear till fish is done running. To qualify for any records, the diver is not allowed to accept any assistance from boat or otherwise until the fish is dispatched and secured, makes for a long swim!
Thats my Sunday morning caffeine fueled 2c on spear fishing tuna ;-)

The reward:
(photo: 180 lb yellowfin)
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I’m guessing the boat activity off Oregon is sport salmon?

So cal waters are in the lee of pt conception and typically calmer.
that said, forecast is for 25kts and building seas for awhile.
We are dependent on calm water when locating schools of fish, spotting “breezers” breaking water. Try to anticipate general direction of school and get out in front of them and drop a diver in the water. Generally the fish don’t show up as planned, occasionally they’ll spook and sound out of range. But when all the stars align it’s absolute adrenaline fueled mayhem, empty blue water suddenly filled with tons (literally) of tuna in all directions, screaming past. With elevated heart rate and adrenaline, breath hold is limited to about 15 seconds, things happen fast and suddenly the entire school is gone, empty blue water.
If you’re lucky and had the discipline to pick out ONE fish, track it, lead it and get a spear in it the real fun begins. You are now an anxious spectator of an epic battle between fish and a series of floats and shock absorbing lengths of rubber cord.
Bluefin are hell on equipment and can pull a series of bouys down for minutes at a time, seemingly an eternity. At this point you are reliving that moment in your mind, over and over, of the shot and placement, will it hold?
Occasionally bouys will all burst to the surface indicating a torn off fish, or failed tackle. Otherwise, one will pop up, reluctantly bob just breaking the surface, followed by another, then another, indicating the fish is wearing out. There’s been occasions where a diving fish will take floats so deep that they compress and loose buoyancy never to be seen again. The weight of a dead 200 lb Bluefin will take down a 20 liter float. Stouter floats filled with compressed air seems to have helped.
Fight lasts typically around a half hr to 45 min. One would be wise to stay well clear of gear till fish is done running. To qualify for any records, the diver is not allowed to accept any assistance from boat or otherwise until the fish is dispatched and secured, makes for a long swim!
Thats my Sunday morning caffeine fueled 2c on spear fishing tuna ;-)


Oliver,

Very stoked with your guidance! You are welcome aboard anytime in Honolulu to go fishing!

Mahalo and Aloha,
Teddy

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Honda BF150 outboard propeller blade sheared off!

Interesting: sheared a blade off my BF150 in the Molokai Channel today. It’s a stock 15.25x15” aluminum Honda propeller (500 hours TT). Possibly a Solas OEM from my observations.

Anybody seen this happen before? I must of hit something. A couple of Trans-Pac boats were severely damaged from floating junk this last race too. BTW Merlin is still racing, I saw her tied up last week at the club. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/S/V_Merlin

My little ship is going on the trailer next week for propeller replacement:
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Vibrating too much, shutdown and raised up for ride home:
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Aloha!
 

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It's fortunate that you had a spare engine to get you home. Without knowing where you were nor anything about the currents, you could have been in serious trouble,
 
It's fortunate that you had a spare engine to get you home. Without knowing where you were nor anything about the currents, you could have been in serious trouble,

Definitely felt blessed to get home. Here’s the InReach data. I immediately returned back to the harbor.

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A few years back a guy fell overboard at Lau Point, Molokai. Within 24 hours he drifted to Barbers Point, Oahu which is 30+ miles downwind. The current was about 1.5 knots. After a night in the hospital, he was ready to go fishing again. Something I could never fathom. I used to fly SAR and the fact he was found is a miracle.
 

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Boat launch delays

Moving slowly towards boat launch date:

I’m really a huge fan of UPS in both Oregon and Hawaii. And NOW we can track packages on sudo-RADAR via the World Wide Web! Super cool! 8)

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A set of CW/CCW Honda propellers are scheduled for UPS delivery today! Friday was “The State of Hawaii Admissions Day” (60 Years) so UPS was delayed.

Anyway, over the weekend had the trailer safety inspection done at Schofield Barracks, Shafter MWR Auto Skill Center mysterious shutdown :-(... Everytime I go to Schofield Barracks it reminds me of the movie “From Here to Eternity https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Here_to_Eternity , which was filmed there.

Removed old port/starboard propellers and lifted boat off the trailer for a quick and dirt bottom job using old fashion jack screws. It was 95F with 90% humidity in the yard. Lifting a 8.5K LBS manually in that kind of heat is really fatiguing. I drank at least a gallon of water before getting her lifted.
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Trying a new biocide anti fouling bottom paint: Pettit Vivid Red #1661. It’s a bit harder than a full ablative which is good for launch/re-launch. I like it. http://www.pettitpaint.com/products/antifouling-bottom-paint/ablative-antifouling/vivid/
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New anode zincs installed too.
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Stay at tuned for the splash off the trailer this week and more exciting deep sea fishing!

Aloha!
 

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Just curious, did you previously have a prop strike with that prop? I'm wondering why it chose to fail.
Also you have two different sized outboards. What process do you use to balance them for trimmed running? Do you have the lower powered one mounted further from the keel center line? I understand the counter rotating props.
 
Just curious, did you previously have a prop strike with that prop? I'm wondering why it chose to fail.
Also you have two different sized outboards. What process do you use to balance them for trimmed running? Do you have the lower powered one mounted further from the keel center line? I understand the counter rotating props.

Hello Skywagon8a,

Nice to have onboard this thread. I really enjoy your posts and knowledge!

Yes (!!!) the starboard CCW propeller was previously bent! My wife, who is much (much) more smart than I mentioned what you just said yesterday (coincidence). “Hey honey, wasn’t that the blade you used the vise grips on to straighten”? Yes, it was the damaged blade, because I remember now it had a small tear near the tip. That blade was damaged, classic metal fatigue scenario! It took about 100 hours before failure.

I learned my lesson the hard way, I’m not straightening aluminum propellers. Yield point on aluminum is much more critical than steel! Steel can take a beating beyond belief, not aluminum from my empirical observations.

You asked, regarding the engines. They are symmetric in HP, Model and installation. The only difference is the right lower end gear box shifter is reversed, so it rotates CCW. We could actually use a CW propeller on the right engine and shift into reverse to get home in an emergency.

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Conclusion and Final Report:

The aluminum had been bent passed the yield point which weaken it enough to part later. I should of changed the bent propeller. But, the only way to catch fish is being on the ocean so I simply used a vise grips to straighten in a rush and paid the price of being out of commission several weeks!

Aloha!
 

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Just curious, did you previously have a prop strike with that prop? I'm wondering why it chose to fail.
Also you have two different sized outboards. What process do you use to balance them for trimmed running? Do you have the lower powered one mounted further from the keel center line? I understand the counter rotating props.

Think theyre both 150’s, the photo is misleading because the damaged o/b is tilted up and appears different(?)
 
The reason I asked about the different power is this picture. One looks considerably larger than the other. You certainly have provided a good reason to have two engines, particularly where you are out in the middle of the Pacific. Just the thought of your experience has convinced me not to go offshore with only one, unless I'm on a sailboat. At least you have learned a valuable lesson about fixing props without any harm to yourself.
 
The reason I asked about the different power is this picture. One looks considerably larger than the other. You certainly have provided a good reason to have two engines, particularly where you are out in the middle of the Pacific. Just the thought of your experience has convinced me not to go offshore with only one, unless I'm on a sailboat. At least you have learned a valuable lesson about fixing props without any harm to yourself.

Yes, certainly an optical illusion! I never really noticed that in the above picture. Interesting.

Honda BF150s are based after the Honda Accord automobile engine. For example: the alternator is belted external etc., just like a conventional car engine. In contrast Suzuki designed their outboard motors (to be just outboards) with the alternator inside the flywheel. Honda outboards are considered gigantic per horsepower. But, 90% of the engine parts are available through any Honda dealer worldwide. The basic Honda Accord engine is the most popular and reliable engine in the world, opinion. But, the Accord engine wasn’t designed compact, which makes it easier to work on. I truly love all my Honda products, not perfect but good engineering and support.

Example sizing:

Alternator and belt removed:
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Get her in the ocean

It’s been 8 days in the boatyard. Hawaii is breaking temperature records and its the hottest summer I can remember. While waiting for the propellers, I painted the bottom, which isn’t easy on a trailer. Been covered in sunscreen and sweating buckets of water with the hope of her in the ocean Friday. Would love to surf this weekend too, it’s reported 8-12’ in front of the harbor and should hold somewhat a few days.

I’m having a coffee trying to get motivated to drive over and bring her down off the jacks screws, clean up and get the outriggers back on. So I have been watching YouTube videos of surfing in Tahiti etc. trying to get out of bed! I ran across a video of an overnight to Waianae with Mary, it definitely got me ready to jump into the shower and get back to work!

Warning this video is really long and not meant for public distribution. But, reminds me to GET back and finish her up!


Also, want to share how wonderful my Yamaha Generator is! Super easy to start, powerful! Runs a ShopVac or a small pressure washer just fine 8)

 
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