Sailing Catalpavideo
Sailing in Costa Rica and saying goodbye to crew Episode 475
January 3, 2026 · 20 min · 13K views · Punta Huevos, northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica
Two crew stand on sailboat bowsprit over turquoise Costa Rican water
What this video covers
The crew of the sailing vessel Catalpa cruises the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, anchoring at Punta Huevos within the Area de Conservacion Guanacaste.0:23 While exploring local mangrove estuaries, the crew identifies crocodile tracks on the banks and observes the animals feeding at the river entrance.3:14 The vessel later transits south toward Samara on the Nicoya Peninsula, maintaining speeds of 8 to 9 knots under headsail alone to manage unpredictable wind gusts ranging from 5 to 35 knots.13:51 During the passage, the autopilot exhibits a recurring failure, periodically locking hard to one side and rounding the boat into the wind.14:40 A master reset temporarily restores functionality, though the crew remains cautious.16:32 Upon arrival at a rolly anchorage, the crew decides to relocate to Samara due to poor holding on suspected rocks and uncomfortable swell.17:50 The crew also manages chain tension on the windlass using a block of timber because the gypsy is incorrectly sized for the anchor chain.18:36
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