Wind Hippie Sailing · video

What this video covers

A solo sailor performs maintenance on a mainsheet winch and troubleshoots a failing solar charging system while anchored in Indonesia. The winch service involves degreasing the internal components, cleaning corrosion with vinegar and a wire brush, and applying marine-rated grease to the springs and pawls. To address a solar charge controller that fails to transition from bulk charging, the sailor tests an older spare controller and inspects the wiring connections in the quarter berth. The issue is traced to a corroded, loose wire connection, which is trimmed and re-secured to restore charging. During a 15-mile solo passage from Grupuk to Ekis, the sailor uses a decompression lever rigged with a string to start the engine single-handedly. The boat remains at anchor in Ekis, where the sailor notes the exposure to thunderstorms and the noise of local fishing boats. The sailor also shares a stovetop banana cookie recipe to avoid using the oven in the tropical heat.

More from Wind Hippie Sailing

Holly vs Entropy WHSE188Aug 2026Here there be Whirlpools WHS187Aug 2026In and Out and In Again WHS186Aug 2026What I Found Inside the Stern Tube Changed Everything WHSE184Jul 2026

From Wind Hippie Sailing — 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.