Kimler Adventure Pages (http://randsco.com)

100-AMP Burnout

Hutton House - Faithful Randsco readers knew there was an electrical fire at the Hutton House on Christmas day.

What they don't know, was that it took 2 days to sort out.

Burnt Electrics: The 100-AMP fuse lead melted and burned up (likely from a poor contact). The whole box needed to be replaced. Joy._{Randsco Newswire}

One of the two 100-AMP fuses on the main house panel burned up. The acrid smell of "burnt electrics" was obvious, but the visible damage wasn't.

After some investigations, the head electrician at the Hutton House, managed to isolate the problem. Of course, calling in professional help on Christmas Day was nigh impossible, as was procuring requisite replacement components.

Randsco staff went gallivanting off to Vancouver for more Christmas cheer, while the dedicated and over-worked head electrician remained behind. This was a two-pronged tactic: [a] Procure parts and fix the bloody electrics and [b] Stick around in case anything else burned up!

Turns out that the switch was antiquated and the fuses both expensive and difficult to find. (Nearby neighbors said the original fuses were likely nicked from a saw mill, where the previous owner - and builder - worked. They were 100-AMP, slow-blow fuses ... the kind used to start heavy, industrial equipment).

Faced with few options, the head electrician upgraded the entire switch box, replacing the lot with (2) 100-AMP breakers.

100-AMP Breakers: A photo only an electrician can appreciate. The new breaker box, in place and working! _{Randsco Newswire}

The electrical operation (removal of old box, moving another box to make room for the new box, inserting the new box, connecting the heavy power leads, common and ground wires & then - with fingers crossed - testing the lot) took the better part of the day.

The good news is that we don't have to buy hard-to-get, expensive fuses - we'll just flick the breaker. The bad news is that smoldering holiday electrics added $250 to our merry bill (not including the head electrician fee ... which amounted to only a six-pack of beer and the cost of a couple of band-aids. He works for cheap, eh?)

Down the Drain

Shawnigan Lake, BC - Watch out, here come the landlubbers!

After purchasing the floating cabin and experimenting with the beneficently under-powered "Pugwis", the Randsco Corporation need to find a new, sea-worthy flagship vessel. Something with a dry, warm cockpit, more power, a decent trailer, fishing gear and electronics.

Double Eagle: Renown for their stalwart sea-worthiness, this 17.5-foot, double-hulled fiberglass boat, with electronics, fishing gear, 2 motors & trailer, is the one Randsco staff have their eye on. _{Randsco Newswire}

Sources close to the Randsco campus say that Randsco has found a potential candidate. Those same sources were able to obtain photos of the boat, as well as some specifications.

"If it's the boat we think, it's a 17.5-foot 'Double Eagle'. It's a 1978 boat, looks a bit rough, but is apparently solid. It's powered by a 2003 Suzuki 70HP 4-stroke motor (300 hours) and has a 15HP Johnson 2-stroke "kicker". The boat comes with a depth sounder, fish finder and GPS. It's got a galvanized trailer with electric winch," said our source.

We think the asking price is $7800.

The boat is currently own by a Federal employee living in the Cobble Hill area of Vancouver Island.

Power Plant: This Double Eagle boat is powered by a 2003 70HP, 4-stroke Suzuki motor (300 hours) and also has a 15HP, 2-stroke Johnson "kicker". _{Randsco Newswire}

Apparently, several Randsco staff will be heading down today, to have a closer inspection. They've hired a nautical engineer to accompany them and provide a professional inspection of the boat, motor and other equipment.

"Buying a boat can be tricky," said our source, "get the wrong one and you'll be pouring money into the water for some time to come."

(Seems to this author, that there's already been a tad poured down the drain, but shhhh ... don't tell anyone.)