We might have FOUND the LEAK! (And we ran away to New Zealand)
May 17, 2026 · 5 min · 2K views · Gulf Harbour
Rotten wood reveals leak on sailboat hull
What this video covers
Ale and Max, sailing a Beneteau Oceanis 50, traveled from Brisbane, Australia, to Gulf Harbour, New Zealand, to secure a three-month visa extension.▶ 0:16 The pair opted for this international flight over the complex and costly medical and administrative requirements of renewing their Australian visa in-country.▶ 0:29 They plan to return to Australia and reach Thursday Island by late July.▶ 1:59 While in New Zealand, the crew addressed a persistent water leak on board by removing a wooden handrail on the cabin top.▶ 2:08 They discovered mold and moisture beneath the fitting, suggesting it as the likely source of the ingress.▶ 2:56 They plan to reseal and rebed the hardware, using upcoming rain as a test for the repair.▶ 2:08 Additionally, a mechanic recently performed undisclosed work on the vessel, which the owners report was completed honestly and to their satisfaction.▶ 4:02 The crew continues to troubleshoot the leak, having previously ruled out the mast and deck fittings as potential entry points.▶ 3:35
Boats in this video
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