Up the mast alone at sea on my PACIFIC CROSSING [ep 163]
June 17, 2025 · 27 min · 2.0M views
What this video covers
During a Pacific crossing aboard a Beneteau Oceanis 510, the solo sailor performs an emergency mast climb to reattach a jib halyard that disconnected from the sail at the head. Using an ATN self-climber, the sailor ascends the mast while the boat maintains forward idle to stabilize the vessel in light swells. The snap shackle connection failed, and the sailor notes that securing the shackle with Dyneema would have prevented the detachment.
The passage involves managing low battery levels due to persistent cloud cover and rain, necessitating frequent engine use for charging. The sailor clears a clogged bilge pump filter after experiencing seasickness and uses a Hydrovane windvane steering system to maintain heading when the autopilot fails. To optimize the route toward the Galapagos, the sailor uses PredictWind to track weather patterns and adjust the course to catch favorable wind shifts. After five days, the vessel has covered 500 miles.
Boats in this video
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