Sailing Catalpa · video

What this video covers

Refitting a 53-foot Pearson 530 sailboat in a shipyard requires addressing significant maintenance issues in the bilge and fuel system before launching. The crew discovers a diesel leak in the 170-gallon aluminum fuel tank, caused by internal corrosion and pitting from years of moisture accumulation.21:01 To remediate the leak and remove 40 years of accumulated sludge, they cut three 7-inch inspection ports into the tank to access internal chambers.8:47 They plan to seal these ports with 8-inch aluminum plates, gaskets, and tapped threads.9:11 Additionally, the crew upgrades the bilge system by installing a new Whale pump and a Rule 3700 emergency pump, replacing a burnt-out unit.6:56 These repairs, compounded by a rodent infestation and shipping delays for parts, postpone the vessel's launch from December to January.9:22 The project highlights the necessity of physical tank inspections, as fuel polishing alone cannot remove sludge adhered to the bottom of a tank.20:57

Boats in this video

More from Sailing Catalpa

one of the most remote islands on the planetSep 202629 days sailing Panama to French Polynesia the whole passageAug 2026what did we learn from a month at seaAug 2026at sea no land sailing across the pacific oceanAug 2026

From Sailing Catalpa — 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.