Sailing Doodlesvideo
Boat Repairs and Bikinis: Story of My Life!
June 8, 2025 · 17 min · 216K views
What this video covers
The crew of Doodles sails to Staniel Cay in the Exuma Island chain to perform emergency repairs on the vessel’s hydraulic steering system and a damaged dinghy. After experiencing a complete hydraulic failure, the crew uses an emergency tiller to navigate until a replacement seal kit arrives. The repair involves removing the port-side hydraulic ram, disassembling the unit, replacing the internal seals, and refilling the system with approximately three quarts of hydraulic fluid. Following the steering repair, the crew conducts routine engine and generator maintenance, including checking fluid levels and replacing fuel filters. The dinghy, which sustained a large tear, is patched using a standard repair kit; the crew sands the area, applies two layers of glue, and allows the patch to cure for 24 hours before re-inflation. The crew spends time at a local beach known as the Low Tide Yacht Club while waiting for the adhesive to set. Proper seal replacement and sufficient curing time for dinghy patches are essential for restoring system functionality and airtight integrity.
Boats in this video
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