LE VOYAGE DE NAMASTE · video

What this video covers

The crew of the 38-ft sailboat *Namasté* struggles with autopilot failure and severe mosquito infestations while transiting from Cayo Largo, Cuba, to the Cayman Islands. After the mounting bracket for a borrowed autopilot shears off, the crew attempts to repair the unit using scrap teak and Teflon bushings while anchored at Cayo Largo. Persistent thunderstorms and swarms of mosquitoes force a departure from the anchorage before the crew can fully resolve the mechanical issues. During the 140-nautical-mile passage to the Cayman Islands, the crew sails under spinnaker and later genoa, eventually reefing the mainsail to reduce load on the repaired autopilot. The unit holds for the 27-hour transit, allowing the crew to avoid hand-steering. Upon arrival at the Cayman Islands, the crew clears customs and secures a mooring buoy, prioritizing the purchase of a new autopilot at a local chandlery. The experience highlights the difficulty of maintaining aging steering systems and the impact of environmental conditions on passage planning.

Boats in this video

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