Synopsis of New Memoir

Synopsis
Sailing My Father Home
Finding Myself
Ron Alexander

Nov. 1982 to Dec. 1983 was Ron’s last year as a professional sailing captain/teacher in the Bahamas, the Carolina coasts and New England. The year started with a tragic accident. His Father was brain-injured in a car accident/stroke. Ron faced the grief of his Father’s injury, losses of first mate/lovers, all the while sailing with students in his well-named vessel Kayoss. As a youth, Ron promised himself, he would not live the same stressful driven life of his Father, yet painfully he started seeing his Father’s shadow in himself.
After completing courses in Yoga and holistic health practice, Ron sailed home to South Carolina and took his 62 year old Father out of a rest home against his Mother’s will. A decision that caused repercussions in Ron’s life to this day. While practicing alternative healing modalities with his Father, he learned much about himself.
The author writes from his own ship log/journals written day by day all year, along with reflections from his memory.

The Freedom Fuel

The Freedom Fuel
The Freedom FuelThe Biofuel That Can Make the U.S. Energy Independent
Why Switching to a Diesel and Using Biodiesel is a Patriotic Act Ron Alexander

You have heard of “freedom fries” (instead of French fries)? Well, real freedom can come from the oil in which you fry the potatoes.

The boat was attracting attention at the fuel dock. It was demonstrating fueling with wasted vegetable (veggie) oil, the crew had obtained from nearby seafood restaurant. There was a built-in filter at the pipe leading to the fuel tank. It was a simple operation pumping the oil from the 50 gallon container. The boat’s diesel started instantly and the motor ran very quietly. The onlookers smiled upon smelling the slight potato/fish/chicken fry smell coming as an invisible vapor from the exhaust.

As a retired yacht captain, I know of many advantages of diesel engines and biodiesel fuel. Any commercial fisherman or captain of a passenger-carrying vessel can relate to these advantages, and hardly any of them would think of using a gasoline-powered boat instead. Matt Ruby, who owns three fishing boats run out of Little River, S. C. and also operates the fish plant there, maintains that diesel engines are “much more efficient, durable and safer than gasoline powered ones.”

Many are confused about biofuels. We are told that they can take away from valuable food crops, and lead to more world hunger. If that is true, it does not apply to biodiesel, as it uses only the oil and leaves the nutritious part of plant or animal. Yes, biodiesel can come from either veggie oil or animal fats. And it can be the only recyclable fuel, as this biofuel can be filtered from used cooking veggie oil. It can be blended with petroleum diesel to make a more effective and less polluting fuel. Confusion comes from the facts about a different biofuel - ethanol that uses a plant feedstock, such as corn, beetroot, sugar beet or sugar cane and then fermenting it. It can be blended with gasoline to make “gasohol.” Personally, I think this gives independent farmers a much needed chance for some income, but when the big corporate farms grow plants for fuel instead of food could make a difference in the world’s nutrition?Another important advantage is that diesel is much less explosive than gasoline. Also, there is virtually no carbon monoxide associated with diesel. Being a compression-driven engine, there is no need for electronics that corrode easily such as spark plugs, points, distributors and wires that connect them. Also, this is one of the reasons that diesel engines are simpler and much easier to repair.

Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the diesel engine in 1895 in Germany and developed it to run on veggie oils. In 1912, he stated prophetically that “the use of vegetable oils for a fuel may seem insignificant today but may become in course of time as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time”. Not long afterwards, Standard Oil, the monolithic giant fossil fuel corporation of the time, researched veggie oil. Sadly, Dr.Diesel was found face down in a river the next year.

Diesel powered vehicles are now about 50 % of all the autos manufactured in Europe today, and biodiesel distilleries are being built in increasing numbers, especially in Germany and Russia. Diesels have not caught on well in the U.S. because of smelly diesels associated with trucks, buses and a poorly built diesels (adapted from gasoline engines) by GM in the 1980’s and the older noisy Mercedes diesel powered vehicles. Volkswagon Corporation knows about this problem and does not even use the term diesel but “TDI” instead. There is new optimism however as newer turbo-charged diesel are quieter, more efficient as well as very powerful. A colleague of mine, Terry Smith, will not sell me his diesel powered “85 Toyota Truck” , because of its durability and great mpg. The increasing price of diesel fuel in this country is an enigma, as sulfur-based petroleum diesel is cheaper to produce than gasoline. Besides its biased research, is this another ploy by large oil and automotive corporations to keep diesel unpopular in this country? Despite all of this, new turbo-charged diesels are coming out not only from Volkswagon but from Mercedes, Jeep Liberty & Grand Cherokee, Honda, and Chrysler. A friend of mine who has driven the new Jetta TDI raves about it.

Unfortunately, the new economy Smart Car which is diesel -powered everywhere else is being imported as a gasoline- powered here, because of this unpopularity.I observed a Smart Car from Canada at an I-95 rest stop near Florida, and the owner stated he was really sold on this 8 foot car and it’s very economical diesel engine at 70 mpg. When I mentioned I would not feel safe in it. He replied that it had plenty of power and was built like a race car with a steel rebar-protected driver and passenger area.

South Carolina was one of many states that mandated a 20% biodiesel for School Buses and all of its maintenance vehicles. The state’s congress put out $25 million in grants for biodiesel fuel producers in 2006. Two established biodiesel plants in Charleston and Gray Court took advantage of these grants. Carolina Biodiesel in Charleston, started by Dean Schmelter has a handsome large plant on the Cooper River at the old North Charleston Navy Base that started out processing wasted vegetable oil. When I had the pleasure of touring the impressive plant, Mr. Schmelter said that for economical reasons, they had to switch over to discarded chicken fat that is plentiful and cheap from the chicken food distributors like Tyson. Carolina Biodiesel has the capability of producing 5200 gallons per day for now. Carolina has kept the original wasted veggie oil plant and use it in their older Mercedes autos. They started the engine of one of them for me, and I have never heard a diesel run more smoothly and quietly. Mr. Schmeltzer told me it was because of the much increased lubricity of veggie oil compared to the fossil diesel fuel. There was also a pleasant slight smell of fried chicken coming from the exhaust.

Matt Ruby, the owner of the three fishing boats mentioned earlier told me he wants to switch to biodiesel mainly to reduce his awful $20,000 dollar fuel bill monthly, but also to help save the fishery because of much reduced pollution in the sea. Imagine how much better for the ocean’s life is with veggie oil rather than sulfur and CO2 from petroleum. Unfortunately, Carolina Biodiesel only distributes to land-based service stations and truck stops within a one hundred mile basis. However, they do have room for fuel dock on the Cooper River and plan to expand to marine industry in near future. Algae is now object of intense research in universities all over country as best possible biodiesel source because of its high oxygen producing qualities. Soybean sells for such a high price by our farmers to China that it is not feasible for biodiesel production. Other good plant oil sources are sunflowers and canola. My aunt leases her adjacent farm land, where they are growing canola – an attractive deep green leafy plant.

I have been promoting biodiesel use for a couple of years first inspired by Willie Nelson’s biodiesel outfit that starts out from Texas deserts where they can grow “oil seed”, (flax seed, I think) and has spread as far as South Carolina (Greer) where a truck stop became the first biodiesel source for truckers a few years ago. Much information can be had for the whole large operation at wnbiodiesel.com. Recently, I have been re-inspired by Matt Ruby from Little River and his strong need for a cheaper cleaner fuel to help save the fishing industry off the Carolinas.

Then listening to “Science Friday” just last week, I heard about a very successful new documentary about biodiesel initiating and debuting at the Sundance Film Festival this week. It is called Fields of Fuel (Make Fuel Not War). Josh Tickell, who directed the film, is famous for driving around The Veggie Van all over U.S. and Europe promoting the use of wasted veggie oil since 1997. He has also written a book called Biodiesel America: How to Achieve Energy Security, Free America from Middle-east Oil Dependence And Making Money Growing Fuel (Yorkshire Press). I ordered this book from Amazon recently, and hope to be able to order the film in near future. I was further encouraged by John Edwards statement in the debate last night “to use large investment in green energy to help jumpstart the economy”.Of course, biodiesel can be used for generators, home heating and cooking.
Posted by captron at 3:19 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Sailing My Father Home
see http://captsbooks.blogspot.com/
Posted by captron at 7:20 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 3, 2007

SAILING ON THE SEA OF LOVE
Exciting new book being written by Capt. Ron - his greatest year of change and last year of full-time professional sailing! Seeking, Giving, Suspense, Romance all are part of this one, as Capt. Ron appears to be growing up finally!Watch for Capt. Ron's new book based on his great year of change - 1983. His Log of his sailing vessel Kayoss chronicles his departure from International Field Studies, his cruise to New England with a soulmate, who he met studying to become a yoga teacher on Paradise I. Docked in New Havenhe joins another fellow yoga teacher to travel North of Montreal to another Ashram. Wanting to help hisFather, placed in a rest home at age of 62, he takes Holistic Health Practitioner Course In Pennsylvania.Already a romantic figure, being a sailor, he unwittingly appeared to become more attractive by struggling to be celibate. Kayoss becomes part of the Ocean of Love. Possibly titled Sailing on the Ocean of Love, Capt. Ron's Log of 1983
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Friday, June 22, 2007

Three glorious weeks in Eleuthera
Just returned from enchanting EleutheraA glorious 3 week trip to beautiful Eleuthera, where I researched new material for my book ELEUTHERA ADVENTURE! I have added 2 new chapters about building a Jetsam Flotsam Beach Cabana for my host, and the other is about the history of the U.S. Navy base closed there in 1980. With a lot more illustrations, this fascinating colorful book can be seen @ captronsadventures.com (on Yahoo search engine).Also, that book and 2 other of my interesting books are now on eBay. Search for that title on nonfiction books on captronreturns. The other 2 books are CAPTAIN RON RETURNS & NAZI UBOATS OFF CAROLINA & BAHAMAS Enjoy life right now! best wishes, captron
Posted by captron at 10:20 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Eleutheramaniac - SAILING TO FREEDOM
ELEUTHERA IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLAND IN THE BAHAMAS AND IN TWELVE YEARS OF CRUISING UNDER SAIL, I HAVE VISITED ALMOST EVERY ONE OF THEM.THE NAME "ELEUTHERA" IS A GREEK NAME FOR FREEDOM. IN 1627, CAPT. WILLIAM SAYLES SAILED HIS "ELEUTHERAN ADVENTURERS" THERE TO SET UP THE FIRST TRUE DEMOCRACY. (CHECK OUT eleutheradventures.com)I HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK CALLED ELEUTHERA ADVENTURES, SPANISH WELLS, THE DEVILS BACKBONE AND SAILING TO FREEDOM WITH DIFFERENT STORIES BUT FEATURING MY OWN PERSONAL SEARCH FOR FREEDOM AFTER MY DEAR BROTHER IS KILLED IN VIET NAM. ALSO, THERE IS STORY ABOUT THE TRUE REASONS WHY THE DEVIL'S TRIANGLE IS CALLED THAT, AND HOW THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE IS CONNECTED TO THIS DANGEROUS AREA, WITH DIRECTIONS OF HOW TO NAVIGATE THROUGH SHALLOW CORAL REEF STREWN SEAS.
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Labels: ELEUTHERAMANIA
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Sailing My Father Home (& Healing with Mom)

I was writing book with title above (without the parenthesis, when I realized that I still held grievances against my Mom after all these years. Several people have hinted that I need to heal rift with Mom, but best advice was from friend when she replied to my telling her about Mom placeing Dad in rest home....."You could handle him, your Mom couldn't."

Mom and I were close before, and this black and white photo really brought it home. So I wrote story about our healing this recent Christmas, (see Blessyourhearts.blogspot.com )when I spent hours creating Memory Scrapbook and Digital Frame for her. Never too late to heal gratefully, Ron

A Son Sails To Rescue His Father From a Rest Home

captronadventures.com (on Yahoo search engines)
SAILING ON THE SEA OF LOVE
SAILING TO BE FREE - THE LOG OF KAYOSS FOR 1983Exciting new book being written by Capt. Ron - his greatest year of change and last year of full-time professional sailing! Seeking, Giving, Suspense, Romance all are part of this one, as Capt. Ron appears to be growing up finally!Watch for Capt. Ron's new book based on his great year of change - 1983. His Log of his sailing vessel Kayoss chronicles his departure from International Field Studies, his cruise to New England with a soulmate, who he met studying to become a yoga teacher on Paradise I. Docked in New Havenhe joins another fellow yoga teacher to travel North of Montreal to another Ashram. Wanting to help hisFather, placed in a rest home at age of 62, he takes Holistic Health Practitioner Course In Pennsylvania.Already a romantic figure, being a sailor, he unwittingly appeared to become more attractive by struggling to be celibate. Kayoss becomes part of the Ocean of Love. Possibly titled Sailing on the Ocean of Love, Capt. Ron's Log of 1983
Posted by captron at 5:41 PM 0 comments
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Captain Ron Returns - Captain Ron Now! With bonus!

captronadventures.com (on Yahoo search engines

As a bonus, I am enclosing my essay on Sailing to Freedom from my book Eleuthera Adventures with this book. Recent events in my life has led me to believe even more in a God-Given Free Will. We can choose to be a blessing or to be a curse. And in this essay, I point out how I have managed to escape a deep destructive depression after my brother was killed in Viet Nam, a failed marriage, and learned how to accept life as a glorious experience and a spiritual adventure! Being an adventurer my whole life around the world, here I point our how changing our thinking is a life-long magnificent inner adventure. We can become a blessing to ourselves and to everyone around us! Our life can be a progressive day by day increase in peace and joy! We can learn to look forward to growing older as we grow wiser!

Help Save Coral Reefs - reefrelief.org

eleutheradventure.com


I wrote of concern of not seeing dolphins on this last Eleuthera trip and Perry answered me:

Interesting. I have photos of dolphins around Harbour Island from our last trip.
Perry, that is such great news! I am going to stay up in that area the next time or further South. I really like the humble sweet residents of Tarpum Bay! Preferably, I will be on a boat and I can cruise to all the areas. I recommend visiting old library at Cupids Cay, the fantastic bakery at Governors' Harbor, the general store at James Cistern had most reasonable prices, conch burgers at the Buccaneers Club, and conch salad at Tracy's outdoor waterfront booth @ Tarpum Bay, etc.


Personally, it's the death of the coral reefs that I think is the more important and problematic issue that everyone should be going bonkers over, but no too many people seem to care. I've talked to any number of people about this issue and many seem to be clueless. I've read in some places that folks believe over 80% of the coral reefs in the Bahamas are dead or dying, and once they die, they don't come back. Wow! I am really sorry to hear that........I will definitely look more into that, as diving was one on my greatest pleasures in the Bahamas. When I was teaching Marine Science Under Sail, I ran into reef near Andros, as I thought it was sandy bottom. It turned out to be bleached reef, which I found out was common "fishing" technique. I know that right after then, there was a big P.R. campaign to stop that moronic devastating practice.



Did you check out the reefrelief.org site?

Wooden Blue Water Sailing Ships

Wooden Ships

Capt. Ron Alexander

“Wooden ships on the water very free and easy
You know the way it is supposed to be."
Crosby and Stills & Nash

I have just concluded a successful hunt for a blue water sailing vessel for friends of mine who want to sail around the world. It has been a long frustrating search for a couple of years, and when the last good fiberglass vessel was just out of their budget, I remembered an article I wrote several years ago about the advantages and disadvantages of owning a wooden boat.

So I suggested looking up "Wooden Sailing Vessels" on line. Immediately, we found a gorgeous one for about one fourth the price of a comparable fiberglass one. They drove up to see it only a couple of hours away and are very enthused wooden boat owners now.........it was the best of all they had seen of any type of construction in the forty foot range plus it is ready to leave port now for blue water adventures around the world!

Buy my article at captronadventures.com (yahoo.com search engine) or email me at captreturns@yahoo.com Photo is of my beloved Kayoss my blue water cruiser that served me so well over 12 years of blue water and teaching marine science under sail!