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.1:56 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.1:58 While in New Zealand, the crew addressed a persistent water leak on board by removing a wooden handrail on the cabin top.2:09 They discovered mold and moisture beneath the fitting, suggesting it as the likely source of the ingress.2:55 They plan to reseal and rebed the hardware, using upcoming rain as a test for the repair.3:45 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.3:36
Boats in this video
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