2026 Maintenance

25 amazing years with the Peregrine.

Yanmar 3GM30F - 2427.7 engine hours - 01/01/2026

January

• Oil/filter replaced

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2018 (and earlier) maintenance »

Patos Island!

A rare and coveted anchorage on Labor Day

This year we made it a point to re-visit Patos Island. This jewel has only two mooring balls, tight anchoring, and a bottom of mostly small rocks that requires a decent set. There is a strong current that flows in the passage between Little Patos and the main island that (I believe) only flows NE, often dislodging poorly anchored boats. The Parks Department say not to anchor in wind over 12 knots. That's good advice as anchoring is definitely sketchy in anthing but settled weather.

We swing in to Patos every year hoping for a spot. Usually we give it a pass due to crowds, so this was only our third time anchoring athere. The weather was perfect. The bouys were taken but we tucked in tight and stern tied to Little Patos Island in two fathoms. This put us away from steady parade of day visitors, and out of the main current in the center. I imagine the steady current is the reason for naming this Active Cove.

Patos Island is small, just a little over 200 acres, and beside it to the south is Little Patos Island. Both of these islands are administered by the Bureau of Land Management as public land. Patos is leased to the Washington State Parks and is administered by the San Juan Marine Parks. Only Patos is open to the public. Little Patos os off limits. The entrance is Active Cove, a point of water between the two islands. At the head of the Cove is a rounded cobble beach that serves as a pull-up and take-out place. The original wharf at Patos was destroyed in a storm many years ago, and today there are two tie-up buoys in the cove. The island has a couple of miles of trail, 8 campgrounds, and 3 composting toilets. There is no fresh water, no electricity, no food service and no cell phone tower. The nearest towers are in British Columbia and on Orcas Island, WA. If you have a phone there, be aware that you may incur roaming charges. Patos is a “Leave No Trace” area. There are no garbage cans.

Alden Point at the western end, named for an American cartographer, is the location of the Patos Island lighthouse. On June 24, 1974, the Patos Island Light was automated. The light in the tower is automated, and runs on a solar battery supplied and administered by the US Coast Guard. Their equipment is housed in the south western room of the lighthouse. In 2008 the Bureau of Land Management restored this National Register of Historic Places building. Today it stands as the northern-most island in the San Juan Islands National Monument. The Bureau of Land Management continues to care for this building, with members of the public who volunteer their services here and through-out the island. Exhibits on the history and use of the island are featured in the lighthouse.

San Juan Islands National Monument

In 2011, a group of leaders from San Juan County began advocating for the establishment of a protected area made up of the remaining federal public domain lands located in the San Juan Archipelago, including Patos Island. In response, US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar directed the manager of the BLM Wenatchee Field Office, Karen Kelleher, to coordinate development of a proposal to designate the lands as a National Conservation Area. On November 10, 2011, Salazar forwarded a report to Congress outlining a proposal for the protected area.

Senator Maria Cantwell introduced legislation in the US Senate to accomplish the task, and a hearing was held on the legislation on March 22, 2012. However, opposition to the proposal was voiced by Representative Doc Hastings, who stated that “the country can’t afford any more public land,” and refused to advance the proposal in the US House of Representatives. On March 25, 2013, President Barack Obama issued Presidential Proclamation 8947, designating the 1,021-acre San Juan Islands National Monument to protect the federal lands, including Patos and another BLM property leased by the WSPRC at Blind Island Marine State Park.

The history of Patos is facinating. Support for the lighthouse comes from a book on Patos Island. Copies are for sale in the lighthouse. You can even contribute by becoming a member of the Keepers of the Patos Lighthouse.

The older 75 million year old Nanaimo Group thrust fault that collided with the 50 million year old Chuckanut Formation is in full view on this beautiful island showcasing a truly amazing collection of rock formations. The Nanaimo Group is like a stack of pancakes slowly shoving the softer Chuckanut Formation upwards.

If you want to see a fantastic example of this collision, check out the Fox Cove Fault (my unofficiaL name). This is where you can view literally hundreds of fossils from the SW side of Fossil Bay west to Little Sucia Island.

The San Juan Islands are located in a complex tectonic zone where the Juan de Fuca Plate is slowly diving (subducting) under the North American Plate at the Cascadia Subduction Zone, causing uplift, faulting, and the creation of island arcs, with smaller plates like the Explorer plate also involved, leading to earthquakes and shaping the unique geology of the archipelago through the collision and accretion of crustal fragments.

A Starlink Mini ... at last!

Starlink takes communications to a new level.

I've been using my Garmin InReach2 to let the family know I'm safe, wherever I am. I took advantage of the two week $299 special and purchased the Mini at Home Depot in May. Unfortunately, they are back to offering the Mini for $499.

ROAM MODE
Now, Starlink with it's Roam plan, extends that capability, and allows for greater mobility, and multi use between van and vessel. Roam has a standard plan for $50 (which I've subscribed to) and an unlimited plan for $165 per month. In town you have no priority and the bandwidth is throttled down as more users get online. However, in the wild in remote locations when you need the bandwidth, Starlink works very well and provides plenty of speed, at least so far. The PNW is a popular place and more boaters are getting Starlink, so time will tell how this holds up.

STANDBY MODE
The new Standby plan is $5 per month. It offers unlimited low-speed data up to 500 Kbps for download and upload. It also works in motion. This is good enough for basic browsing, email, chat, wifi calling, and simple web browsing. It's not intended for high-bandwidth activities like steaming video, though standard quality 720p on an iPhone does work. Sorry, no Netflix.

As of May 2025, Starlink has 7,500 satelites in orbit and is planning to manufacture 10,000 next-generation V3 Starlink satellites per year. SpaceX is also deploying V2 Mini Optimized satellites and plans to launch Starship to deploy even larger V3 satellites. Additionally, SpaceX is launching Direct to Cell satellites to enable mobile phone service directly from space.

In town.	In the wild.

POWER REQUIREMENTS
The Starlink Mini requires a power source within a 12-48VDC range, with the minimum 12V input needing 60W (5A) to operate, though average consumption is 20-40W. So far my use running it a full day draws 2Ah.

ON THE BOAT
I purchased the Starlink Mini Car Adapter. This is designed to power the Mini via USB-C via a 12vdc receptacle. It came with a 16.4ft Mini USB-C Cable. To power it, I had to run a 20ft 14AWG line to the stern lazzorette and install a 12V receptacle to plugin the Starlink car adapter. I also added another 12vdc receptacle in the starboard cubby to charge the iPad (Navionics) and iPhone (AIS, tides, currents) at the wheel on those longer trips. I wanted to protect this new wiring and added a 15amp fuse and new fuse box. This runs off the house bank system and also protects the navigation table lights (white and red), voltage meter, and holding tank, all with 3amp fuses. The fuse box is accessed in the drop down compartment above the chart table.

With the help of West Marine, I found a bombproof, 100% stainless marine grade mount in the form of a fishing rod holder. It just happened to have the 2" diameter required for the pipe adapter mount that came with the Mini.

IN THE VAN
I run a Goal Zero Yeti 4000/8000 which has a 100w USB-C port (5-20v, up to 5A). I bought a 16.4ft 16AWG power cable from Stargear with USB-C and the Starlink Mini DC input plug to poweer the Mini. It pairs nicely with the Mini's 100W (20V/5A) power requirements.

MORE INFO

• Starlink Mini 12v car adapter
• Stargear Mini Cable 16.4ft
• Stainless Steel Clamp-on Single Rod Holder
• Satellite/Ground Station Tracking
• Starlink Roam Service

Killer Whales in the Salish Sea

Spotting whales is one of those things that grounds you in how beautiful life is and gives you a profound sense of gratitude.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, vessels in Washington waters must stay 1,000 yards away from Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW) at all times.

These regulations are intended to reduce vessel noise and disturbance around this endangered population of orcas, giving them the space they need to hunt, rest, and communicate. Underwater vessel noise — along with toxic contamination and a lack of prey — is one of the key threats to SRKW.

If a Southern Resident killer whale approaches or surfaces between 400-1,000 yards of your vessel, safely move away and out of the path of the whale at a speed of 7 knots or less. If within 400 yards of a killer whale, disengage your transmission if it is safe to do so, and wait until the whale(s) move out of the area.

Vessel regulations for distance from Southern Resident killer whales
WDFW recommends reeling in all fishing gear to also reduce the risk of entanglement and/or damage to gear or vessels. WDFW also recommends that boaters in paddlecraft such as kayaks stop paddling, and that sailboats luff their sails if an orca approaches within 400 yards, if it is safe to do so.

In addition to the endangered SRKW population, Washington is also home to the Bigg’s, or transient, killer whales, which are subject to a 200-yard, do-not-approach buffer zone under federal law.

Because of the difficulty telling the difference between these killer whales at long distances, WDFW encourages all boaters to treat unidentified killer whales as though they’re SRKW and maintain the 1,000-yard minimum distance whenever possible.

The new law applies to all recreational vessels in Washington’s marine waters. There are some exceptions for certain types of commercial, law enforcement, or research vessels. See theFrequently Asked Questions for more information.

Contemplations

A quarter century of same boat ownership has me thinking...

2025 Maintenance

24 amazing years with the Peregrine.

Yanmar 3GM30F - 2357.7 engine hours - 01/01/2025

January

• Oil/filter replaced
• Bilge pump replaced (have 1 new spare pump)

March

• Fresh water tanks cleaned, water filters replaced

June

• Added Starlink mounting post
• Added 5 slot fuse box to solar powered distribution system
• Wired in Starlink and cockpit USB
• Replaced stern running light (calibrated to 135 deg)
• Replaced both engine and gear oil in Honda 5hp. Dipstick check: do NOT screw it in!

August

• Diver (Eli 508.627.1964) replaced zincs, scrubbed hull. Prop Coat working extremely well. Some hard growth.
• Replaced Yanmar transmission dipstick
• Canvas connector panel restitched
• Bristol Marine (360.297.7626) inspected Honda 5hp outboard for minor oil leak. Estimate $500 to fix, but not worth repairing. Check oil regularly. Dipstick inserted but not screwed in.
• Replaced first stage water filter

September

• Condition and Valuation Survey

October

• New shore power receptacle and 10awg 3 wire to breaker box
• Replace chimney section to remove damper
• Steering quadrant stopper installed
• Replaced hose clamps on the rudder packing gland
• Replaced bilge pump hose
• Separarated propane and electrical runs. Electrical conductors were placed inside protective wire wrap. Both electrical and propane lines were hung from individual wire support clamps.

2024 maintenance »

2023 maintenance »

2022 maintenance »

2021 maintenance »

2020 maintenance »

2019 maintenance »

2018 (and earlier) maintenance »

A Land Yacht for the Off-Season

AWD Sprinter for inland cruising

The sailing season is just not long enough here in the PNW. Since the boat is demanding less and less maintenence these days, I decided I needed a new project.

I picked up a new 2023 Sprinter Cargo 144 from the Seattle Mercedes dealership in May 2023. I was not interested in the 4x4 model as I'm sold on AWD for mountain adventures. There are other advantages over the discontinued 4x4 system (below). After 3 years of waiting for the NTSB to approve this new model, I was lucky enough to find one at to Seattle Mercedes dealer thru my Car Gurus feed. Mercedes had already worked the bugs out of this new model in Europe, New Zealand and Australia so I was confident there wouldn't be too many recalls. Covid caused supply chain challenges which also added to the delays.

EXTERIOR
As we were researching and designing the layout I installed running boards, and additional Kilmat sound deadening, Weathertech floor mats. Because we love to ski, Blizzack 265/70R17 winter tires were fitted to Black Rhino wheels. In 2025, changes to Washington State Department of Transportation rules now require chains to be carried on all vehicles. For us, even AWD vehicles must install chains and installed when the signs read CHAINS REQUIRED ON ALL VEHICLES. This is often the last step before a pass is closed; having every vehicle chain up can help avoid a closure.

WINDOWS: A CR Lawrence T-Vent window and CRL awning bunk windows were installed on both sides of the bed.

INTERIOR In the Fall I contracted with Mammoth Vans to install an Adventure Wagon kit with grey Marathon tweed fabric walls, black L-track, black hexa-ply plastic coated plywood, bamboo ceiling and a Moab bed system. AdWag uses an A-Frame system which stiffens and strengthens the van, and gives the wall system unlimited flexibility from which to bolt to. I had planned to add Flarespace Flares but at 6'3" tall I was never able to stretch out comfortably in a East/West orientation in any of the Revel or Storyteller vans I looked at. The Moab bed allows me space to stretch out and not crawl over the wife when nature calls. It also keeps with the stealth-look approach.

FAN: The metallic Tenorite Gray (paint code 7755) exterior can get pretty warm so a 10 speed reversible MaxxAir Deluxe roof vent, bunk windows and a large window on the cargo door were installed to keep the air moving.

POWER: A Goal Zero Yeti 8000 with a Escape Ecosystem provides 625 amp hours of power. This gives us 5-10 days of power without additional charging. A 30amp shore power source tops the system off. Alternator charging also helps when the engine is running.

HEAT: An Espar S2/D2 is installed under the passenger seat. 3M Thinsulate insulation helps to regulate temperature, along with Reflectix low E insulation on the back of every panel. Hushmat and Killmat sound dampening also slows down heat transfer.

WATER: A Tech Vanlife 32 gallon water tank and a sink were installed with a 10 gallon gray water collection system. I installed a Facon water heater to keep the tank from freezing and a water tank level sensor/gauge combo, all fused separately.

COOKING: An Duxtop induction single burner is our primary cooking source.

REFRIGERATION: A 2.5 gallon Victorfrigo refrigerator keeps our goodies cold and puts ice in our drinks. It draws 3.38Ah when running at 10.4vdc. I bought this at Sure Marine, Seattle. Todd is a great technical resource.

CABINETS (UPPER): 2 48" Upper cabinets are from Flatline Van. The bamboo doors compliment the ceiling panels to tie the look together and add visual warmth.

CABINETS (LOWER):I built the lower cabinet structure out of 1" 80/20 aluminum extrusion from Grainger. Building all my own brackets and carraige bolts saved a ton of money, but took a lot of time. A good chop saw with a carbide blade and grinder was also critical with all the custom fabrication. Countertops and drawer faces are made from Starboard. A knockoff 'Lagun' swivel counter adds additional food prep workspace fitted with a bamboo Tech Vanlife tabletop.

144 AWD SPRINTER SPECIFICATIONS:

• New in-line four-cylinder high output diesel motor replacing the V6
• Dual stage turbo
• +2% torque versus the V6 (332 lb ft at 1600 to 2400 RPM)
• +10% power vs the V6 (208 hp at 3400 two 3800 RPM)
• 5 to 8 dB quieter than V6
• New dual port DEF system helps with emissions
• 8" clearance

TRANSMISSION:

• 9-speed transmission (9G-Tronic)
• Significant increase in traction in first and second gear
• 8th and 9th gear ratios help increase fuel economy on highway

ALL WHEEL DRIVE:

• New AWD system replaced the 4x4 system
• Electric multi-plate clutch vs transfer case on 4x4
• On-demand all the time
• 50-50 torque split vs 35/65 on 4x4

SUSPENSION

• Three leaf springs in rear versus 2 on 4x4
• Beefed up sway bar for rear axle

LINKS

• MaxxAir Fan
• Black Horse Spartan running boards
• 48" upper cabinets Flatline Van
• Tech Vanlife sink