The early years in the Alternative Fuels Industry
Leading up to Sailing:

Charles Anderson was born and raised in Homer, Alaska. Although he didn't realize it at the time, his childhood and early teen years were shaping and preparing him to become the leader in the SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) industry. Over the many years spent tinkering with his grandfather on Diesel Engines in the garage his curiosity and respect for this often misunderstood engine grew.

Years later, after reading more extensively about Rudolf Diesel, Charles realized we were not living up to Mr. Rudolf's original vision of using plant based fuels to power his newly invented engine. In fact, the original Diesel Engine was run on a variety of fuels, including pure Peanut Oil. Through further research Charles realized that the most well known Biofuel for the Diesel engine (Biodiesel) isn't the only way to use vegetable oil in a diesel engine. Knowing there must be a more efficient method for burning plant based oils in a diesel engine, the mental gears started to turn. In the end, Charles concluded that modifying the engine once to be able to burn SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) would be much more efficient in some cases, than modifying each gallon of vegetable oil into Biodiesel.

After much experimentation in the shop on his diesel Toyota pickup truck, Charles emerged with a functioning SVO fuel System. Charles realized that there were probably countless others who would love to get out of the petroleum cycle but have neither the time nor inclination to start from scratch. This realization was the birth of Golden Fuel Systems and the beginnings of his quest to acquire a sail boat with a diesel engine which he could not only run on vegetable oil, but wind as well.

How his passion for Alternative Fuels
led him to his passion for Sailing:

Because of his early years on Kachemak bay, Charles has always loved the ocean. Naturally, from his experience being as eco-friendly as possible when driving a vehicle, charles became interested in acquiring a sail boat. A sail boat would allow him to enjoy his love for the ocean using the ultimate alternative fuel, wind. He first started out with a catamaran which he sailed for several years. As his passion for sailing grew, he began to search for the perfect vessel and in 2009 Charles acquired a 1969 Westerly Centaur. He spent the winter restoring the boat and in the spring of 2010, Charles and his family Hauled the "Kiana" up the Alaska Canadian highway, all the way to Homer Alaska.

With his experience in converting diesel engines to run on waste vegetable oil, Charles converted the Kiana's volvo MD2 diesel engine to run on waste vegetable oil. He now has what is arguably the most eco-friendly vessel in All of Alaska. He now has the unique ability to share the wonders of Kachemak Bay with visitors from all over the world in a boat that wont leave a negative impact on the environment.

He looks forward to sharing his knowledge and love of Alaska with you and hopes you'll stop by and book your adventure today!