Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

The crew of the Catalpa, a cruising sailboat, navigates a 200-mile passage from Acapulco, Mexico, during the onset of storm season. Shortly after departure, the boom vang support fails, forcing the crew to drop the mainsail and rely on the mizzen and headsail.7:42 During the transit, the vessel encounters intense lightning storms, requiring the crew to deviate 90 degrees from their course to dodge active cells.9:55 The wind instrument fails, leaving the crew to use a small flag to determine wind direction.11:58 To address visibility issues caused by storm-damaged cockpit clears, the crew uses an Easy Stitcher tool to manually sew replacement panels while underway.15:29 Upon reaching the coast, the crew attempts to anchor in several coves, including Chikawa, Escondido, and Port Angel, but finds them untenable due to heavy two-meter swells.14:17 In a subsequent anchorage, 30-knot winds and heavy swell cause the staysail to unfurl, forcing the crew to start the engine to mitigate potential dragging.19:24 Manual stitching tools provide a viable temporary repair for cockpit canvas when professional sewing services are unavailable.16:31

More from Sailing Catalpa

What's broken? Sailing across the Pacific Part 2Aug 2026Sailing 4000nm across the Pacific Ocean PART ONE Episode 500Jul 2026Safety Upgrades we made to SAIL across the PACIFIC OCEAN Episode 499Jul 2026Sailing away from Panama City Episode 498Jul 2026

From Sailing Catalpa — 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.