Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

Sam Holmes installs two used self-tailing winches on his boat, replacing the existing units.Watch He disassembles the winches to inspect the pawls and grease the internal gears, noting that replacing the springs improves the mechanical sound.1:18 Because the new winch bases are larger than the original mounting holes, he drills new holes into the bronze deck surface.2:31 He orients the self-tailing arms to ensure the line feeds properly into the cockpit.3:40 Separately, he converts bulky life jackets into functional cockpit pillows by sewing custom covers from ProTuff OD vinyl-coated polyester fabric.6:38 He fills gaps in the life jacket foam with cut-out layers from a spare flotation device to create a smooth, comfortable surface.5:16 Finally, he sails into a back bay near Fort Myers, Florida, navigating past sandbars and shrimp boats under sail power alone to reach an anchorage.8:39 Replacing winch springs and properly orienting the self-tailing arm ensures smoother operation and better line management.

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

Making big miles offshore sailing through IndonesiaSept 2026Orca sighting! we repair one daggerboard only to break another oneSept 2026Sailing to Maratua, a rarely visited Indonesian island Sept 2026We hit a log sailing by strange Indonesian sea platformsAug 2026

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