Breaking Wavesvideo

First Time Sailing Across the Pacific Ocean - Peperations, upgrades, setbacks. Real Time Update.

14 April 2024 · 53 min · 9K views · Barra de Navidad

Sailboat flying blue Code D gennaker on open water

What this video covers

The crew of a 40-year-old sailboat prepared for a Pacific Ocean crossing by completing three months of extensive refits and system upgrades.3:50 To address power limitations, they installed a Hydrovane windvane for redundant steering, added 350 watts of solar to reach 750 watts of total fixed capacity, and integrated a 148-amp-hour Bluetti portable power station.7:31 Engine maintenance on the Yanmar 4J-HTE included a difficult impeller replacement and the restoration of a forward fuel tank, which required cutting an inspection port to clean the tank and verify fuel lines.11:20

For navigation and safety, the crew installed a new VHF radio, repaired a faulty AIS system, and configured OpenCPN on a laptop as a redundant chart plotter, utilizing satellite imagery overlays for navigating poorly charted atolls.20:27 They also added a stack pack for easier mainsail handling and a furling gennaker for light-wind downwind sailing.5:49 A small water purifier was installed as a cost-effective alternative to a watermaker.9:02 The crew also added a dedicated refrigerator and an ice maker to improve living conditions during the passage.9:39

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