WEsailvideo

200 Episodes & Stranded in Moorea: The Dinghy Disaster in French Polynesia

April 19, 2023 · 29 min · 94K views · French Polynesia

What this video covers

The crew of a cruising sailboat anchored in Moorea, French Polynesia, faces a mechanical failure of their dinghy outboard motor just days before a planned passage to the Tuamotus. While preparing for the transit, the motor begins rattling and eventually fails, revealing metal shavings and damaged internal gears upon disassembly.5:52 The crew constructs a temporary plywood mounting bracket on the stern of the sailboat to stabilize the motor for repair, allowing them to work in a shaded, protected area rather than over the water.25:20 They identify the issue as damaged forward and reverse gears, which they determine are replaceable, though the timeline for sourcing parts in French Polynesia remains uncertain.28:11 Prior to the breakdown, the crew successfully completed a provisioning run to Tahiti by ferry, using bicycles to transport supplies back to their boat in Moorea.14:05 The failure of the outboard motor forces an indefinite delay of their departure, highlighting the logistical challenges of maintaining essential gear in remote cruising grounds.24:31

Watch on YouTube

More from WEsail

We Had to Abort the Passage | Sailing Fiji's Reef-Strewn WatersSep 2026France to Fiji in 24 Hours | Back to Boat LifeAug 2026We Flew Halfway Around the World to Surprise My Family | Fiji to FranceAug 202613 Knots, Big Seas & Dolphins at Sunset | Sailing Back to Fiji's MainlandAug 2026

From WEsail — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.

Report an issue