STUCK in the doldrums ALONE on my 50 ft boat in the middle of the PACIFIC OCEAN [ep 164]
June 25, 2025 · 35 min · 687K views
What this video covers
A Beneteau Oceanis 510 sailing toward the equator experiences light winds and doldrum conditions for nine days, forcing frequent engine use and slow progress. The autopilot fails to hold a heading, requiring the crew to steer manually or rely on bungee cords to maintain control while napping. To manage the light air, the crew deploys a spinnaker but adopts a strict rule to douse the sail every night to avoid handling squalls in the dark. Navigation relies on Navionics and Sea People, with the vessel passing near Isla Española in the Galapagos without stopping. The crew manages fuel consumption by idling the engine during calm periods and monitors for white smoke, which dissipates after increasing the load. Despite the lack of wind and the autopilot malfunction, the crew maintains a routine of short, frequent naps to stay alert for traffic and sail adjustments.
Boats in this video
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