"JJS" jschneider@remove socks cebridge.net wrote in message
...
... Although the motors were new, they began quitting us. they always
restarted but it became more frequent.
Back at the dock I siphoned some fuel from one of the 55 gallon drums
into a clear bottle and discovered water in
the bottom.

Water in drum-gas seems to be almost "normal". Gotta lift that pump off
the bottom :-)


What pump? Our natives weren't too well equipped. We used siphon hoses
or poured it.


Geez, You'd think an operation whose business is to pour fuel into outboard
cans every day all summer long would have some better system. Even back in
the 50's we had a hand-crank pump that fit and screwed into the bung hole of
the drum. The intake was adjustable to keep it off the bottom where the
water and rusty stuff was.

By the way, does it look like they take the empty drums back, or do they
just stack them up in the wilderness?

Also, what was your opinion of the care taken with weight and balance? We
had a Cessna 208 with 10 fatal on Lake Erie a year and a half ago (hunters),
with over-gross suspected as one of the main causes. Hopefully that
smartened up anyone that didn't get the message, but some of those Northern
operators can be under great pressure to make their trips in dubious
conditions.



I don't think you ever state specifically *why*? Or did you mean,
because of the extra time to add ingredients for
the hangover? ;-)

Oh yeah, that reminds me! We did sample some Canadian beer and whiskey.
In one of my previous posts I'd promised to
report on it. I liked the Northern brand ale the best of what we tried.
We wanted to bootleg some home, but we
messed around and the liquor store closed before we got there. That
caused a trip to the bar to drown our
disappointment, where upon we sampled a few more kinds. Northern was
still the best. : '

I don't recognize the brand, I looked it up. A regional company, just two
breweries in Northern Ontario. I'll have to look for it here in the city
stores.

.....

Every private pilot who flys into the USA gotta have *this*:
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...20flyers_1.doc

.....

Actually, the Customs part went very well, all things considered. I did
phone AOPA and asked their advice after
reading everything I could find on their web site. If anything, there is
almost too much info out there. Just make
sure those phone numbers are direct to the airport of entry customs office
instead of the main office. All the
customs people were very helpful and friendly.

For your next out-of-country trip anywhere, you will want to have that
"official" Customs guide, link above. It has all the USA POE airports and
their local Customs numbers.


Gonna do it again?

If that's an invitation, yes. : ' ) Seriously, probably not for a few
years. I'm glad I did it. It was quite an experience! I'd be tempted to
go again with some family or close friends. I have brothers and nephews
who'd love to go. On the other hand, it was expensive and a long, risky
trip. I'll try and find some new adventure, unless someone else talks me
into it. Or if that new airplane comes into the picture.

I guess one way to mitigate the risk somewhat, is to have the outfitters
pick you up from Kenora or from Thunder Bay. You could even get to Thunder
Bay commercial .... but what's the fun in that ;-)

Well, even if it turns out to be a one-in-a-lifetime, thanks for sharing the
story.