Hashtag Salvideo
A 5,500 km Journey Across the Amazon on Two Hobie Cat Sailboats
August 20, 2026 · 6 min · 3K views
What this video covers
Adriano Plotzky and three crew members navigated two 21-foot Hobie Cat sailboats 5,500 kilometers across South America, transitioning from the Caribbean through the Orinoco River to the Amazon basin.0:04 The expedition utilized the Casiquiare canal, a rare natural waterway connecting the Orinoco and Rio Negro basins, to cross the continent without portaging.0:49 To manage the fluvial environment, the crew removed the mast from one boat and installed a custom-built, mosquito-proof canvas tent for sleeping and cooking, protecting against insect-borne diseases.1:32 Navigation relied on early 1994-era GPS and paper maps, as official river charts were unavailable.2:11 The team faced significant logistical challenges, including limited fuel capacity of 200 liters, which required sourcing gasoline from local inhabitants in remote areas.3:39 They also navigated through conflict zones near the Colombia-Venezuela border.4:04 After 75 days in the rainforest, the team reached Belém, removed the motors and tent structures, and completed the final 1,000-mile coastal leg to Natal against prevailing winds.5:47
Boats in this video
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