I SAILED ALONE ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN
July 4, 2025 · 20 min · 129K views
What this video covers
Barry Perrins, sailing solo toward Richards Bay, South Africa, struggles with heavy seas and the powerful Agulhas Current in the Indian Ocean. During the passage, his Hydrovane self-steering rudder repeatedly breaks off its mounting, forcing him to perform dangerous, high-swell repairs while tethered to the stern. The boat suffers from severe rolling, causing Perrins to fall and injure his abdomen against the chart table. He manages water ingress from a leaking salon hatch by using fenders and improvised dams to protect the interior. Navigating the Agulhas Current requires precise timing to avoid wind-against-current conditions that create violent, steep seas. Perrins eventually reaches the coast, hand-steering through the final miles as weather systems threaten to push him off course. He successfully enters the marina at Richards Bay after a grueling, multi-day final approach. The experience confirms that managing self-steering gear and navigating the Agulhas Current are critical, high-risk technical challenges for solo sailors approaching the South African coast.
More from Adventures of an old Seadog
From Adventures of an old Seadog — 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.