WEsail · video

What this video covers

The crew of a cruising sailboat arrives at the atoll of Rauria in French Polynesia, anchoring in 20 feet of water to begin local exploration and boat maintenance.2:45 The primary technical task involves repairing a binding rudder shaft and a loose aluminum rudder arm, which requires dropping the rudder while the boat remains in the water.5:15 The repair involves cleaning the non-cylindrical hole in the rudder arm to improve the fit on the stainless steel shaft.16:52 Local activities include snorkeling in the atoll’s main pass, where strong tidal currents allow for high-speed drift diving over the reef.26:40 The crew also visits the site where the Kon-Tiki raft crashed in the 1940s, a location significant to Thor Heyerdahl’s expedition.21:22 Local residents in Rauria support themselves through fishing, copra production, and pearl farming.8:57 The crew shares surplus tuna with neighbors and plans further excursions to tiger shark snorkeling sites with local guides.7:06

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