Sam Holmes Sailingvideo

Measuring for a new sail and installing our Marine AC

17 January 2026 · 14 min · 38K views

Marine AC unit installed on sailboat deck with ducting

What this video covers

Sam Holmes and Arlene perform multiple refit projects on their boat, including installing a new marine air conditioning unit and preparing for a new sail. To install the air conditioner, Sam drills through-hull water intake holes, excavates the core material, and seals the edges with epoxy to prevent water ingress.4:15 He fabricates custom fibreglass air ducts using a homemade mould and circle-cutting jig, noting that bending fibreglass along the bias allows for easier shaping.11:36 The electrical system for the unit is finalised with custom cables from a local shop, and the system successfully pumps water upon testing.8:47 Concurrently, the crew removes an old sail for measurement and replacement, opting for a laminate sail with Sunbrella sacrificial protection.0:19 Arlene manages electrical repairs, including wiring the anchor, tri-colour, and steaming lights, while also labelling circuits and replacing LED fixtures.5:47 Sam also replaces the dinghy fuel hose and priming bulb, and announces the future replacement of their current RIB with a 3.3-metre carbon fibre dinghy from Excelsior.2:29

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