Wind Hippie Sailingvideo
What I Found Inside the Stern Tube Changed Everything WHSE184
July 20, 2026 · 24 min · 41K views · Lombok
What this video covers
The owner of the 30-ft sailboat *Gekko* hauls the vessel out at a marina in Indonesia to replace a failed stuffing box.0:16 After removing the prop shaft, the owner discovers the fiberglass stern tube has eroded, reducing its diameter from 42mm to 38mm and preventing the new seal from seating properly.17:55 The owner hires a local fiberglass specialist in Mataram to build up the stern tube to the correct diameter.18:46 During the repair, the owner cleans the original coupling bolts and reuses them due to a lack of available hardware replacements in the region.19:58 The replacement Volvo shaft seal lacks the grease portal and vent tube found on the previous SVB-sourced unit, requiring manual greasing via a straw.14:25 The project highlights the difficulty of sourcing specific marine parts and hardware in remote cruising locations.
More from Wind Hippie Sailing
From Wind Hippie Sailing — 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.