ConeSpot
Latitude:47.86299
Longitude:-119.12259
GPS location Date/Time:06/17/2013 01:17:56 EDT
Message:Attention, this is Conepatus calling: All is well in Paradise:)
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http://fms.ws/CVb0I/47.86299N/119.12259W
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ConeSpot
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ConeSpot
Latitude:47.08527
Longitude:-122.17720
GPS location Date/Time:06/16/2013 10:29:57 EDT
Message:Attention, this is Conepatus calling: All is well in Paradise:)
Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/CU-5-/47.08527N/122.17720W
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ConeSpot
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ConeSpot
Latitude:47.08533
Longitude:-122.17720
GPS location Date/Time:06/10/2013 22:50:33 EDT
Message:Attention, this is Conepatus calling: All is well in Paradise:)
Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/CPzSU/47.08533N/122.17720W
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ConeSpot
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ConeSpot
Latitude:47.18879
Longitude:-120.93796
GPS location Date/Time:06/09/2013 23:30:11 EDT
Message:Attention, this is Conepatus calling: All is well in Paradise:)
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http://fms.ws/CP6hh/47.18879N/120.93796W
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ConeSpot
Latitude:46.69797
Longitude:-113.42386
GPS location Date/Time:06/09/2013 00:08:09 EDT
Message:Attention, this is Conepatus calling: All is well in Paradise:)
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http://fms.ws/COELc/46.69797N/113.42386W
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Made good time in Montana after again being stopped by the boat inspectors. Many of the western states do not have many of the AIS, Aquatic Invasive Species and want to keep it that way.
So I presented my papers from Wyoming, and the guys in Montana filled out their forms and did their inspection. Low and behold the found some more zebra mussels tucked away in really hard to get to places, again around the hydraulic tilt for the motors.
No one paniced since the mussels were really dead and dried up from the 8 months out of the water and the hot water pressure bath in Wyoming, but it required calling the "boss".
Seems no one in modern government has learned the 4 things you need to develop in employees, that is:
1. Give a clear mission statement, or work assignment
2. Give the tools or assets to accomplish the work
3. Assign the authority to the worker to accomplish the work
4. Hold the worker accountable for their work
Of course employees make mistakes and miss judgements, but that is part of the learning curve and development for a good employee. So, bosses, correct mistakes, educate and lead by example, not micro manage.
It also seems that all the states pass information via an AIS network, letting each know what they found and corrective measures. However the fact that the Wyoming team did a good inspection (in my estimation), even they could not find all the little "critters" hiding.
Since Idaho has been informed, and I suspect Washington State too, I am sure we will be inspected again in each state. It is a bit of a hassle and lost time, but I agree with the folks that it is best to stop invasive species BEFORE they get established and screw up the enviorment. Good on them.
Will be interesting to see if coming inspections find more in the tilt motor area. None have been fou nd anywhere else. Of more importance, the motor manufacturers should design the outboards and their accessories in such a manner that there are no hidey holes for mussels to attach to or other AIS to hide in. Would really help the effort to stop the spread of AIS.
The F250 Ford with a 6.2L engine and automatic has been performing very well. I have been averaging 7mpg over hill and dale. With the stuff in the truck and the loaded boat/trailer, I am running just below the GCVW rating (gross combined vehicle weight), so the truck is working to capacity.
The 3 axle trailer trails well and does not sway when a semi passes. I added airbags to the truck to level the truck, but did not add load leveler bars. I get very little hobby horsing on bumps and no sway.
As for the Venture trailer itself, I am loosing faith in the unit. Not to say that Venture has not been supportive, to the contrary they have been great. But having a set of hydraulic brake lines fail, and then an axle shift because of the design (IMHO) is a bit much. Now even with the axles setting in alignment, I am getting excessive tire wear on several of the tires. For some reason the tires are wearing on the outside edge only, on both sides. Since pressure is correct and the alignment appears good, I can only assume the no name tires are junk, or the axles have a bad toe in or camber in their manufacture.
I am changing out the tires to radial MAXXIS ST225 75 15E tires with a good flat road tread and see if that takes care of the problem. If not I suspect the next step is to replace the undercarriage assembly including spring and axle mounts. Just cannot be changing tires every 3000 miles.
The Titan II electric over hydraulic brakes work well and with discs on all wheels, the trailer will stop almost too quickly.
Best I can say tonight sitting in the Bearmouth RV Park in Clinton, MT.,
Craig
After dealing with the hydraulic line problem in the trailer, and a shifted axle in the trailer, yesterday looked like a trouble free day of traveling. Boy was I wrong.
As we entered Wyoming there is a sign directing all boats to turn off at the Wyoming Port of Entry …. really a highway POE for boats. Seems that they are inspecting all boats for invasive species. I told them "no worries" this boat has been out of the water for 8 months, had been dry and several periods of freezing weather …… all the requirements for decontaminating a boat, by killing any hitch hikers.
Where was the boat last in the water? In the Erie Canal. OK we want to do an inspection. Fine, go ahead. Well they found 6 zebra mussel shells under the engine mount; of course long dead and dried up.
The young fellow was so excited as this was the first time he found zebras on a boat. So he called his boss and told him what he found. He explained that the zebras were dead and dried up and that the boat had been out of the water for months to no avail.
The "boss" decided that a full decontamination was in order. Of course no one in Wyoming understands ablative zinc base bottom paints, so the hotwater 140degF pressure washing took off most of the bottom paint.
Then they wanted to inspect the "live wells" and had a hard time understanding we didn’t have one. Then the questions of the thru hulls came up. Fine, stick your finger in to see if there area any dead, dried mussels there. Next was they wanted to run hot water through all of the plumbing ….. of course not having a clue that the water intake for the head goes thru filter, pumps and solenoid valves, so you cannot force water through them. The the discussion of the water maker raw water intake occured.
The kids doing the inspection are great conservationists, great biologists, but are not mariners or have a clue about boats in excess of an open runabout. I suspect the same for the bosses.
Finally 2.5 hours later we were decontaminated and the bottom paint that requires EPA containment was properly disposed of in the grass by the decon station:) A seal was placed on the tow ring of the bow to make sure we did not unload the boat … cannot understand why, considering we were decontaminated. Of course the workings of all governments are mysterious and not for meer mortals to understand.
The decon kids, Jeff & Sarah, were really great, but it is obvious that the "bosses" do not allow them to use common sense or initative. Oh well, for all of us current or former government employees, we can understand the feeling.
Onward with the adventures of Conepatus,
Craig
