Sailing Doodlesvideo
Overcoming Engine Breakdown On A 60 Mile Ocean Voyage
March 23, 2025 · 17 min · 133K views · Marsh Harbour, Abaco Islands
What this video covers
Doodles departs Marsh Harbor, Abaco, for a 60-mile passage to Harbor Island, Eleuthera, following an engine failure caused by a loose wire at the starter solenoid.7:46 Before departure, the crew services a non-self-tailing winch used for hoisting the dinghy, cleaning and greasing its internal gears to improve operation.4:47 The transit involves motoring through the Sea of Abaco before entering the open ocean, where the vessel encounters 5- to 7-foot swells.10:02 The crew navigates the Devil’s Backbone, a narrow, shallow channel flanked by reef and beach breaks, by following a pre-plotted track.13:05 Upon arrival at Harbor Island, the crew docks at Valentine’s Marina.15:44 The passage confirms that a simple loose wire connection can mimic a major starter failure, while navigating the Devil’s Backbone requires careful timing with the tide to avoid breaking seas in the narrow channel.
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