30 mistakes I made and things that broke on my solo circumnavigation on Sea Change, Part 3 of 3
December 26, 2025 · 23 min · 2K views · Pancake Creek
What this video covers
A 1989 Pacific Seacraft 34 named Sea Change completed a solo circumnavigation of more than 25,000 miles, and this third installment covers mistakes 20 through 30. Arriving early at Bundaberg, Australia after changing the declared port from Cairns, then anchoring overnight without notifying the Australian Border Force, triggered a two-hour, three-officer search — intensified because the boat was purchased in Panama and a Panamanian vessel from Vanuatu had been caught with cocaine months earlier.3:06 A grounding on rock at Pancake Creek while misreading triangular reef-marker buoys caused a pronounced smile at the lead keel-to-fiberglass joint that cost significant money at the pre-sale survey.4:33 A corroded Yanmar external oil pipe, traced to two failed anti-siphon loop valves leaking seawater onto the engine, was bodged with JB Weld for the 16-day passage to South Africa; leaked oil was ladled from the bilge and recycled back into the engine.11:36 The Raymarine EV100 tiller autopilot ram broke repeatedly at its hard-plastic attachment ends, a $1,500 replacement cost that drove improvised repairs.15:15 Two alternators failed across the circumnavigation.16:11 Pushpit welds cracked under the weight of two outboard engines, a stern anchor, bimini, and solar panel; a Mauritius welder re-welded and reinforced six joints.13:25 The 100% jib lacked a UV protective strip, causing leech and foot tears in the South Atlantic.18:04 Head and stove neglect cost $2,000 in the final sale negotiation.22:49 Regularly using and maintaining seldom-used equipment prevents steep pre-sale repair costs.
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