WEsail · video

What this video covers

Warren and Erica, owners of the boat Va, return to a boatyard in French Polynesia to perform a month-long series of maintenance projects and upgrades. The couple, assisted by a friend named Tom, prioritises stripping the existing bottom paint down to the gel coat to prepare for a new Coppercoat application, a task they undertake themselves to avoid a $4,500 professional labour fee.22:08 Additional projects include installing a modified household Starlink system, replacing the boot stripe, repairing the outboard motor lift mechanism, and rewiring the shore power.11:03 The crew also addresses interior maintenance, including cleaning insect-damaged food stores and vacuuming the cabin.17:23 Warren modifies the Starlink unit for a lower profile and plans a future conversion from 110-volt to 12-volt power.14:45 The team manages the work in high temperatures while utilising personal protective equipment for the sanding process.21:04 The project list is divided into tasks to be completed while the boat is on the hard and those that can wait until after the vessel is back in the water.10:13

More from WEsail

13 Knots, Big Seas & Dolphins at Sunset | Sailing Back to Fiji's MainlandAug 2026We Don't Know Where We're Going Next | Leaving Fulaga, Fiji & Sailing SomewhereAug 2026We Ran Out of Gas Saying Goodbye | Our Last Days in Fulaga, FijiJul 2026Nobody Mentioned the Cave of Bones | Three Weeks in Fulaga, FijiJul 2026

From WEsail — 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.