SmoCo Sailingvideo
[Ep 42] Our MOST Intimidating Project Yet & Bussing It Back to the U.S.
21 December 2025 · 15 min · 525 views · Sea of Cortez
What this video covers
Armand and Leah, owners of the sailboat Cosmo, performed a sail drive maintenance overhaul while hauled out in a Mexican boatyard. The project involved removing the sail drive leg to replace the rubber bellows, a task recommended every 10 years.▶ 1:53 After draining the oil and confirming it was free of water contamination and metal debris, the crew disconnected the engine and used a ratchet strap to secure the sail drive during removal.▶ 2:14 They cleaned the internal components, removed corrosion, and applied a fresh coat of Volvo Penta paint.▶ 6:01 The team installed a new gasket using RTV sealant, though they later noted ongoing debate within the sailing community regarding the necessity of RTV in this application.▶ 7:38 Following the mechanical work, the couple travelled by bus from Guaymas, Sonora, to Tucson, Arizona, to secure temporary residency visas at the Mexican consulate and collect boat parts from an Amazon hub.▶ 9:08 Despite the bureaucratic challenges and conflicting documentation requirements, they secured a future appointment for their visa processing.▶ 13:59
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