Sailing NVvideo

We Couldn’t Sail Until We Fixed All This! | Boat Life Fix-It Week! | S2 Ep 77

2 November 2025 · 32 min · 6K views · Northern coastline of Borneo

What this video covers

The crew of the Open 66 sailboat NV performs several maintenance projects while docked in Kudat, Borneo, to prepare for coastal cruising. Timo services the autopilot’s mechanical linear drive after detecting noise and erratic steering; he discovers a stripped plastic gear wheel, replaces it, and reinforces the drive unit’s mounting bolts with epoxy putty.6:04 To improve anchor handling, he cuts an access hatch into the foredeck, allowing him to operate the windlass and manage the chain from the bow rather than the interior.9:09 He reinforces the deck cutout with fiberglass layers and seals the new hatch cover with Sikaflex.10:40 Additionally, he relocates the galley’s manual saltwater foot pump to a more ergonomic position directly in front of the sink, which requires modifying the storage cabinet doors and laminating a new fiberglass support structure to prevent the pump from wobbling.17:51 Finally, the crew replaces the fuel tank deck fill, cap, and hose, and commissions a local canvas shop in Kudat to fabricate a PVC rain-collection system for the boat's bimini.22:40

Watch on YouTube

More from Sailing NV

BEFORE YOU SERVICE YOUR MARINE DIESEL, WATCH THIS! | Nanni N4.65 Full ServiceSept 2026How to Save Your Boat at Anchor: 2-Anchor Systems Explained | S3 Ep 20Aug 2026We Didn't See This Coming... | S3 Ep 19Aug 2026A Turning Point for Our Race Boat | S3 Ep 18Jul 2026

From Sailing NV — 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.

Report an issue