Sam Holmes Sailing · video

What this video covers

Sam Holmes performs a series of maintenance and repair projects in Dakar, Senegal, to prepare his boat for an Atlantic crossing. He installs a DC-to-DC charger to manage power between his 200-amp-hour lithium house battery and an AGM starting battery, preventing alternator strain while allowing for increased electrical loads like Starlink.9:03 He repairs a torn mainsail using hand-stitched patches and replaces stiff sail slides with older, better-fitting ones secured by Dyneema lashings.13:37 Additional work includes repairing a wind vane lead weight, replacing saltwater pump bellows, and installing spacers behind mast steps to prevent rope snags.11:24 He also commissions a local sailmaker, Diego, to repair a damaged spinnaker for $200.5:26 After six days in Dakar, he clears customs and departs for the Gambia River.17:07 Proactive maintenance and the addition of a charge controller ensure the electrical system can support high-draw equipment during upcoming motor-heavy passages.

More from Sam Holmes Sailing

Sailing to Maratua, a rarely visited Indonesian island Sep 2026We hit a log sailing by strange Indonesian sea platformsAug 2026Replacing a window while sailing through pirate waters and wildlife of BorneoAug 2026Sandakan and Wildlife of BorneoAug 2026

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