Sam Holmes Sailingvideo

Sailing to Portland Maine & storming the forts!

October 23, 2020 · 10 min · 36K views · Portland, Maine

What this video covers

Sam Holmes sails toward Portland, Maine, while managing a leaking engine water pump that sprays saltwater.0:19 To minimize engine use, he relies on sailing, even during light winds that result in drifting and flogging sails.2:42 During a night passage, gusty offshore winds render the wind vane ineffective, forcing a switch to the autopilot.1:42 Upon arrival in Portland, he anchors near several historic coastal fortifications, including Fort Gorges, Fort Preble, Fort Scammell, and Fort Williams.9:14 He explores these sites by dinghy, noting that tidal shifts require pulling the boat high onto the rocks to prevent it from drifting away.6:48 While anchored, he performs an oil change on the warm engine using a manual pump.5:12 He plans to replace the water pump seals after receiving a spare part from a friend in Maine.2:49 The trip concludes with a survey of the local forts, with Fort Scammell and Fort Gorges highlighted for their accessibility and structural interest.

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