Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

A solo sailor prepares for an 800-nautical-mile passage from the Canary Islands to Dakar by completing a series of boat maintenance projects and equipment upgrades on his vessel, *Pickled Herring*. He installs FenderTex inflatable fenders for docking, replaces scuba tank O-rings, and mounts a Starlink satellite dish on the dodger, which requires drilling through the fiberglass after internal mounting attempts fail to provide a signal.25:03 To improve electrical reliability, he wires the Starlink system to a 24-volt step-up converter to mitigate voltage drop issues.21:13 Additional modifications include through-bolting the dodger, installing 3D-printed boom chocks to stabilize the boom, and building a custom gimbaled seat for the cockpit.31:33 After navigating to Pasito Blanco Marina, he clears out of the Schengen Zone at the marina office.31:48 The sailor tests a DIY AIS unit programmed with his MMSI number and prepares for the upcoming offshore transit by stocking malaria medication and spare parts.5:52 Proper voltage management and mounting location are critical for maintaining a stable Starlink connection on a cruising sailboat.

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

Sailing to Maratua, a rarely visited Indonesian island Sep 2026We hit a log sailing by strange Indonesian sea platformsAug 2026Replacing a window while sailing through pirate waters and wildlife of BorneoAug 2026Sandakan and Wildlife of BorneoAug 2026

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