We Fixed Enough to Keep Going | Sailing Around the World
8 February 2026 · 19 min · 21K views · Mexico
Sailboat cuts sunlit wake on open sea
What this video covers
A 40-foot sailing boat transits the Pacific coast of Mexico from Zihuatanejo towards the Panama Canal, managing ongoing mechanical issues with a Ford Lehman 120 engine. The vessel experiences a stuffing box leak, a ruptured diaphragm in the primary bilge pump, and a malfunctioning bilge float switch, which the crew attempts to clean with soapy water.2:36 The engine consumes approximately two quarts of oil during the passage, complicated by a leaking crankshaft cover gasket that requires specialised tools for repair.13:51 The crew monitors oil pressure, maintaining it between 30 and 35 pounds per square inch as specified in the engine manual.5:44 Navigation challenges include avoiding long-line fishing gear by staying 15 miles offshore and navigating around floating debris.3:20 The crew performs routine maintenance on chain plates, turnbuckles, and cotter pins before departures.1:17 They utilise Navionics for coastal navigation and anchorage planning.16:09 The vessel makes short, incremental passages between anchorages like Acapulco, Puerto Escondido, and Mazunte to facilitate repairs and await parts.2:13
More from Sailing Miss Lone Star
From Sailing Miss Lone Star — 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.