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Solo Sailing Around the World #18 - Sailing Bali / Thailand: Arrival in Malaysia
June 10, 2026 · 47 min · 9K views · Malaysia
Sailboat glides under Johor–Singapore Causeway at dawn
What this video covers
Solo sailor Pablo navigates the boat Sofia through the Indonesian archipelago toward Malaysia, covering roughly 150 miles across multiple day-sails of 15–40 miles each through the Riau Islands and into the southern approaches of the Strait of Malacca.0:01 Squalls hit on nearly every leg, repeatedly forcing sail changes — one-reef mainsail, furled genoa, then full sail as conditions shift — and cutting visibility among dense fishing boat traffic.0:01 Anchoring in strong current is a recurring challenge: the boat aligns to current rather than wind, requiring careful approach angles, and one anchorage at 10 meters depth demands 80 meters of chain.17:16 Chart inaccuracies cause a depth-alarm scare at 28 meters when the app showed 20.0:58 A diesel bug contamination is discovered when the primary fuel filter turns black after just three passages; Pablo attributes it to either purchased contaminated fuel or condensation-driven bacterial growth in the tank and plans a full tank clean in Malaysia.13:35 He crosses the equator northbound for the second time on this circumnavigation.11:42 The final 15-mile leg into the Malacca Strait entrance produces 25-knot headwinds against contrary current, generating steep confused seas that force repeated tacking at 3 knots.27:55 He anchors in Malaysian waters between Singapore and Malaysia to prepare for marina entry.35:20 Diesel bug in tropical tanks can develop within days and demands a full tank clean, not just filter replacement.13:35
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