Sailing SV Cordeliavideo
JUST Finished Painting When the WINCH started to RUIN it!
2 January 2026 · 26 min · 1K views · Rio Dulce
Steve tightens bolts on a wooden winch base.
What this video covers
A leaking winch base on SV Cordelia's starboard side threatens a fresh paint job during an ongoing refit at Rio Dulce, Guatemala.9:39 Steve removes the winch, discovers the bolt holes were undersized when originally installed, drills them out larger, fills them with epoxy, re-drills to the correct diameter, and reseals with Sikaflex — noting he should have done it this way the first time.10:20 A complication arises when the oldest Sikaflex tube, believed to be over three years old and labeled in Greek, has hardened and must be spooned out rather than extruded.12:25 Elsewhere in the refit, Steve and Annette strip stubborn varnish from companionway steps, saloon trim, and a crockery-cabinet cover, while a local carpenter named Jose fabricates panels to conceal pipework exposed after sliding doors were removed.2:36 Annette visits a dentist near the Sun Dog Restaurant after six to seven months of dental pain and has a tooth extracted for 35 pounds — roughly a tenth of the UK equivalent.21:42 The crew ends the week at Catamaran Marina, which allows pool access to cruisers who purchase a drink.23:41 Epoxy dust from sanding irritated Gus the dog's eye but cleared overnight without a vet visit.25:02 Oversized winch bolt holes left unsealed are a reliable path for deck leaks into the cabin.
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