Sailing Vegvisir · video

What this video covers

After sustaining hull and keel damage during a passage through the Gulf of Papagayo, the 1989-built sailboat Vegvisir underwent an extensive structural refit in Mexico.0:20 Upon hauling the boat, the crew discovered cracked fiberglass and rotted internal floor timbers near the keel bolts, likely caused by a submerged impact.0:20 A marine surveyor suggested the damage resulted from a whale strike.1:03 To facilitate repairs without a travel lift, the team constructed a custom iron support structure to suspend the vessel.3:07 The project involved removing the keel, replacing rotted floor timbers with new 1.5-inch pine, and reinforcing the hull with additional longitudinal stringers.5:21 Technicians bonded the new structure using epoxy resin mixed with cabosil and industrial talc, followed by multiple layers of fiberglass cloth.6:12 Before reattaching the keel, the crew adjusted the standing rigging to relieve tension on the hull, preventing mast compression from distorting the keel area.4:57 The team resealed the keel with 3M 5200 sealant and successfully reinstalled it after eight days of work.8:35

More from Sailing Vegvisir

SAILBOAT Vocabulary FAIL! | Parts of the boat in English and SpanishMay 2025Ep. 2 Transom RepairMay 2025Cleaning a sailboat - Discovering wounds in the gelcoatApr 2025

From Sailing Vegvisir — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.