Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

Water ingress through an improperly sealed emergency tiller outlet caused localized rot in the balsa core of the Catalpa deck. The repair required cutting out the damaged section with an oscillating tool, excavating the wet core back to solid timber, and installing a G10 board reinforced with thickened epoxy. To prevent future rot, the repair created an epoxy-sealed perimeter around the opening, ensuring that any future fastener leaks would not reach the core. The crew also addressed a separate leak in the gas locker caused by degraded sealant around the gas line and solenoid wiring. They replaced the cracked gas line, resealed the locker penetrations, and treated residual mold on the interior ceiling with a mixture of vinegar and clove oil. Proper sealing of deck penetrations with epoxy or appropriate sealant prevents core saturation and structural degradation.

More from Sailing Catalpa

at sea no land sailing across the pacific oceanAug 2026Life aboard sailing across the Pacific Ocean..Ep 502Aug 2026What's broken? Sailing across the Pacific Part 2Aug 2026Sailing 4000nm across the Pacific Ocean PART ONE Episode 500Jul 2026

From Sailing Catalpa — 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.