velero kira-kira video
⛵️After several months, we went out to test the boat and because of a simple bag we practiced towing #22
July 23, 2026 · 17 min · 1K views · Océano Atlántico
What this video covers
The 36-foot steel Van de Stadt sailboat *Kira Kira* suffered a cooling system failure while transiting from Sitio Forte to Paraty, Brazil.▶ 0:50 A plastic bag obstructed the engine’s water intake, causing the impeller to fail and forcing the crew to shut down the engine.▶ 7:31 With the vessel’s battery bank already nearing the end of its service life and unable to hold a charge, the crew relied on a 100-meter elastic tow line provided by a nearby friend’s boat, a 1984 Amel Super Maramu named *Managua*.▶ 9:04 The tow maneuver required precise coordination via VHF radio to maintain a catenary in the line while navigating light winds and residual swell.▶ 14:37 The *Kira Kira* crew successfully anchored in Paraty after the 10-mile tow, where they planned to source a replacement impeller and address their ongoing electrical system issues.▶ 14:12 The incident highlights the necessity of maintaining reliable communication and having a pre-rigged towing plan when mechanical failures occur in light-wind conditions.
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