Sailing Zataravideo
EMERGENCY EXIT from our Pacific Ocean Crossing ⛽️
May 21, 2026 · 23 min · 211K views · Galápagos Islands
A swimmer plunges into tropical water, bubbles rising around them.
What this video covers
Zatara diverts to the Galapagos Islands mid-Pacific crossing after a two-knot adverse current through the doldrums burns more fuel than expected on the 4,000-mile Panama-to-French Polynesia passage.▶ 1:15 With 186 miles to go to the islands and fuel gauges reading 142 gallons on one 200-gallon tank and 112 on the other, Keith and Renee decide the stop is justified; the crew votes unanimously to go.▶ 3:03 Entry costs $2,000 in permit and customs fees, and the 72-hour maximum stay is strictly enforced.▶ 2:05 Hull scrubbing is required before entering Galapagos waters; six weeks out of the Bahamas, green growth had already returned to the sunny side of the hull.▶ 4:05 Fuel runs $6.95 per gallon via the official cruiser permit — not the $4 subsidized rate available to local fishermen and public transport — and a fuel boat delivers 195 gallons directly to Zatara, mirroring the fueling method used in the Maldives.▶ 16:39 Jack and Remy perform Yanmar engine oil changes every 250 hours before departure.▶ 20:23 A relay popping out of its socket caused one engine to stop briefly; Keith notes that a non-starting engine on a well-maintained diesel is usually a simple electrical fault.▶ 2:28 A windlass component breaks on departure, requiring a welder.▶ 21:56
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