The Continuing Biodiesel Adventures in
"Putting the 'Bean' in Caribbean"
"Putting the 'Bean' in Caribbean"
(SALISBURY, MARYLAND) - It's the dream vacation many of us wish we could take, and a Salisbury, Md., couple is going. Capt. Jim MacNeil and "first mate" Rebecca Payne will leave the waters of the Wicomico River Nov. 24, 1996 on a two-year sail from Maryland's Eastern Shore to the Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, the Carribean Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
While underway, the sailing yacht "Beyond" will burn clean-burning biodiesel, blended with petroleum diesel, in its 44 horsepower Yanmar engine. The biodiesel, marketed under the trade name "BioBooster" and donated through the Maryland Soybean Board and biodiesel manufacturer NOPEC Corp. of Lakeland, Fla., is a nontoxic and biodegradable diesel fuel made from soybean oil which helps diesel engines run cooler, reduces emissions, and makes exhaust smell better.
"They tell me that at higher blends it smells like french fries frying," says Capt. MacNeil, who gives his age at "20-10." "If that's true it's going to be a long way between McDonald's for us," he jokes.
The voyage will help promote use of the fuel, which was developed with soybean checkoff dollars. Each time a bushel of soybeans is sold, a portion of the price is set aside, or "checked off," into a fund for research, marketing and education.
The pair have been readying the ketch, on which they have lived on for four years together. Beyond is a 41-foot CT built for ocean cruising. The couple's cat, Brewser, will be cruising with them. It's the second long-distance voyage for this trio - a four-month "shakedown" cruise to the Florida Keys last year proved the feline seaworthy.
MacNeil, who is licensed as a U.S. Coast Guard captain, says he decided to purchase and live on Beyond because it's "cheap transportation to the islands." He purchased Beyond in 1988 on the West Coast of Panama and sailed her home through the Panama Canal. Everything he's done in his life, he says, has been to enable him to take such a cruise.
MacNeil grew up sailing with his father, Hugh MacNeil of Ocean City, Md. He acquired his captain's license to be able to offer private charters as a second income while saving for the big trip. Up until Nov. 1, he had been a technician with Martek Inc., an Ocean City company which installs and repairs sophisticated marine electronics.
"I think it's a flawed gene," MacNeil admits. "I've always wanted to take this cruise, and to do it right. Now, thanks to the Maryland Soybean Board and NOPEC, we've got a fuel that's going to make my diesel smell better and run cooler for the times when I'm not under sail."
MacNeil and Payne, a certified public
accountant, will file regular reports on their experience
with "B20," as the 20 percent biodiesel blend is known, over
the duration of the cruise.
More than a million road miles have been logged under biodiesel. In 1992, an Iowan began a one-year, 52,000-mile voyage around the world in an 24-foot Zodiac Hurricane powered by neat biodiesel. Brian Peterson and the Sunrider made headlines around the world.
"We'd like to make a few headlines of our own to continue to spread the word about biodiesel," MacNeil says. "It's nontoxic and biodegradable, which makes it excellent for the marine environment ... and it's good for your engine. To me, it just makes common sense to use it."
BioBooster is available at select BOAT/U.S. stores, now including Charleston, S.C. For more information about BioBooster, call NOPEC Corp. at (888) 296-6732.
EDITORS: To get on the mailing list for updates of future adventures aboard Beyond, call Susanne Hammond at (410) 860-0951 and leave mailing information.