SmoCo Sailingvideo
[Ep 70] Everything Started Going Wrong...Rigging, Fridge, & Charted Mysteries | Refugio, BLA
July 11, 2026 · 21 min · 749 views · Refugio, Baja California
Sailboat anchors in turquoise cove beneath rugged mountains
What this video covers
Armand and Liya, sailing the 40-ft catamaran Cosmo, perform maintenance on their standing rigging and refrigeration system while anchored in Refugio, Isla Angel de la Guarda. After observers noted the mast bending forward, the crew discovered the backstay was too long and the forestay too short.5:41 They installed a turnbuckle on the baby stay to adjust tension and used Loos gauges to calibrate the shroud tension, addressing halyard wrap and mast alignment.7:25 Simultaneously, the crew troubleshot a failed 12-volt refrigeration unit.11:57 After inspecting electrical connections and the control unit, they identified a likely refrigerant leak.15:44 They temporarily restored cooling by adding automotive-grade refrigerant to the system, allowing the fridge to reach freezing temperatures.20:25 While navigating the anchorage, the crew used a handheld depth sounder to verify chart accuracy after their plotter indicated they were anchored over a rock.9:57 The team successfully resolved the rigging and cooling issues before departing the Sea of Cortez.
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