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Five Circumnavigations on a Sailboat, 82 Years Old and Heading for the Sixth | #SAL #360

April 13, 2025 · 28 min · 82K views · Salvador

What this video covers

Aleixo Belov, an 82-year-old engineer and veteran sailor, recounts his career of five solo circumnavigations and his preparations for a sixth voyage via the Northeast Passage.1:21 Belov completed his first circumnavigation in 1981 aboard the 11.3-meter *Três Marias*, a boat he built himself.3:23 He navigated using only a sextant, lacking GPS, VHF radio, or a life raft, and completed the journey in 14 months with less than $10,000.3:34 His subsequent voyages included stops in 45 ports across the Caribbean, the Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean.4:34 Belov later transitioned to larger vessels, including the *Fraternidade*, a sail-training boat he used to teach inexperienced crew members during two additional circumnavigations.16:15 He contrasts his early reliance on manual navigation and self-reliance with the modern reliance on electronic systems, dual engines, and satellite weather forecasting.8:37 Born in Ukraine during World War II, Belov immigrated to Brazil, where he credits the public education system for his engineering career and his eventual success in the maritime industry.17:02

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