Breaking Waves · video

What this video covers

After sustaining reef damage, the 40-foot sailboat *Kiana* undergoes a hull repair in a boatyard near Papeete, Tahiti.0:21 The crew discovers a three-foot-long crack with significant delamination, requiring extensive grinding to reach sound fiberglass.7:26 A marine surveyor confirms that the internal bulkheads and stringers remain structurally sound, though additional moisture-damaged areas require further grinding.18:23 The repair process involves creating a 12-to-1 bevel around the damaged area, applying multiple layers of fiberglass cloth using thickened epoxy, and finishing with a fairing compound and barrier coat.21:08 The crew utilizes a plastic template to stencil fiberglass layers and relies on assistance from other cruisers to complete the layup.14:04 After 11 days in the yard, the hull is restored to a seaworthy condition.23:41 The project demonstrates that significant structural hull damage can be repaired through systematic grinding, proper beveling, and multi-layer fiberglass lamination.

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