Hugh Robertson Sailing · video

What this video covers

A 1989 Pacific Seacraft Crealock 34, *Sea Change*, sails from French Polynesia toward Tonga, encountering a Maramu and a subsequent northern front that force the crew to drop the mainsail and run off under staysail alone.Watch During the passage, the 33-year-old standing rigging begins to fail, with broken wires appearing in multiple stays and shrouds.5:13 The solo sailor climbs the mast to install emergency backup rigging using a spinnaker sheet and Dyneema core tow rope.5:38 After reaching Beveridge Reef, the vessel proceeds to Niue, where the sailor secures a 24-hour mooring exception to further reinforce the mast support.6:07 The route continues through the remote islands of Toku and Late, where the sailor observes humpback whales and volcanic terrain.10:34 The passage concludes with the vessel heading toward Fiji.10:54 Rigging failure on older vessels requires immediate, redundant support using available lines and halyards to maintain mast integrity during offshore passages.

Boats in this video

More from Hugh Robertson Sailing

26 differences from most other cruisers, part 2 of 2Apr 202626 differences from most other cruisers, part 1of 2.Apr 202630 stories of sailors less fortunate than me during my ocean-sailing years on Sea ChangeJan 202630 mistakes I made and things that broke on my solo circumnavigation on Sea Change, Part 3 of 3Dec 2025

From Hugh Robertson 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.