Sailing Sweet Rucavideo
Huge Sailing Adventure: Cape Horn to Real-Time - Refitting Our Dream Sailboat in Patagonia [Ep. 144]
7 April 2024 · 22 min · 28K views · Middle of the Pacific Ocean
What this video covers
The crew of the J-46 *Sweet Ruca* performed extensive refit and maintenance projects in Puerto Montt, Chile, after completing a 1,200-mile journey through the Patagonian fjords.0:33 Key technical repairs included replacing broken mainsail battens with custom units from RBS, upgrading to a 2:1 mainsail halyard, and machining a new boom vang component at CNC Sur.1:55 The crew also re-bedded chain plates after discovering bolt corrosion, relocated refrigeration compressors to a dedicated mechanical space to reduce cabin heat, and reconfigured reefing lines to lead all three reefs and the vang to the cockpit.9:58 Engine maintenance was outsourced to a local Yanmar mechanic, while sail repairs for the stack pack and number three jib were completed in-house using a newly purchased sewing machine.2:43 The crew faced significant challenges with failing Renogy LifePo4 battery management systems and harsh winter conditions that limited outdoor work windows.11:41 After testing the new mainsail and completing the refit, the crew chose to delay their departure for French Polynesia to explore northern Patagonia during the summer.19:23
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