Hashtag Sal · video

What this video covers

The sailboat Balanço undergoes a comprehensive refit at Aratu Yacht Club to address structural maintenance and prepare for future coastal and Caribbean passages.0:17 The project includes repairing superficial osmosis on the hull using epoxy resin and installing a new portlight in the cabin.15:44 The crew removes the mainsail, boom, solar panels, and cockpit instruments to facilitate a full deck repaint and non-skid application.3:35

A primary focus of the refit is replacing all through-hull fittings and seacocks.6:49 The owner identifies these components as a leading cause of sailboat sinkings and opts for True Design fittings, which are constructed from glass-reinforced nylon.7:34 These replacements are UV-resistant, immune to corrosion, and do not require bonding or grounding.7:39 During removal, the original bronze fittings show signs of significant degradation, with some valves failing to close completely.8:12 The refit process involves stripping the interior and deck, patching cracks, and preparing surfaces for new epoxy-based coatings.13:22 Replacing through-hull fittings with modern composite materials significantly improves vessel safety by eliminating the risk of corrosion-related failure.9:21

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