Sail Life · video

What this video covers

The owners of a 44-foot hurricane-damaged PDQ catamaran prepare for structural repairs by building custom stairs for the sugar scoop and draining water from both keels. To replace a temporary ladder, they construct wooden stairs with a 9-inch run and 8.5-inch rise, finishing the treads with high-visibility yellow non-slip paint and adding a handrail for safety.5:22 The crew organizes a mobile tool trailer, installing shelving and a dedicated charging station for power tools.10:52 To address water intrusion in the keels, they drill drainage holes into the fiberglass, identifying significant standing water in both the port and starboard sides.14:25 A 1600 CFM fan from Harbor Freight is positioned to circulate air and accelerate the drying process.15:13 The owners plan to install inspection ports and new bilge pumps once the keels are fully dry.16:27

Boats in this video

More from Sail Life

The road back to boat work: We're gravel rich & ready for shipping containers! Ep. 694Sept 2026Can I build an aluminum fuel tank with the xTool MetalFab laser welder and CNC? Ep. 693Aug 2026The road back to boat work: shipping delays, site prep and bending metal with a 3D print Ep. 692Aug 2026The road back to boat work: Cutting trees, picking up plywood, and 240V in the shop. Ep. 691Aug 2026

From Sail Life — 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.