Sail Lifevideo
Sail Life - Catamaran issues after 5 years 😱
27 August 2023 · 17 min · 67K views · Charleston, South Carolina
What this video covers
A 2017 Fountain Pajot Helia catamaran in Charleston, South Carolina, requires a major repair after a survey identifies high moisture levels in its sacrificial keels.0:15 The keel construction consists of two bonded fiberglass shells filled with foam, which have trapped water due to failed sealant at the hull-to-keel joint.3:47 While initial plans involve drilling drainage holes and re-caulking, the crew decides to drop the keels entirely to perform a permanent repair, which includes removing wet foam, drying the interior, re-foaming, and re-glassing.9:55 The project also addresses sail drive maintenance, including replacing lip seals and installing new shafts after previous damage from an impact driver.10:38 The crew prepares the hull for anti-fouling by sanding with 80-grit paper and applying Seahawk bottom paint, while also cleaning propellers for PropSpeed application.6:27 The boat requires re-blocking at a cost of 600 USD to allow for the keel removal process.12:18
Boats in this video
More from Sail Life
From Sail Life — 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.



