Sailing Uma · video

What this video covers

To prevent water accumulation in the bilge of a boat hauled out on land, the crew drills an 8mm hole into the keel to allow rainwater to drain naturally. The boat, currently undergoing a refit in Olbia, Sardinia, had been collecting rainwater in the bilge because the battery powering the bilge pump was removed. Before drilling, the crew clears a blocked cockpit drain that was diverting water into the bilge instead of overboard. After securing the boat, the crew loads equipment, including a Starlink system, into Pelican cases mounted on the roof rack of their truck. The crew then travels by ferry from Sardinia to Livorno, Italy, and drives to Milan to meet for a road trip through the Alps toward Germany. Drilling a drainage hole in the keel provides a reliable, battery-free solution for managing rainwater while a boat remains on the hard.

More from Sailing Uma

We Ditched Our Steering Wheel (And Built Something Better) | Step 496Sep 2026We're Finally Setting Sail Again!Sep 20264 Hours to Rig Solar for an 8-Month Solo CircumnavigationSep 2026Solar Sponsor Backed Out Before Sailing Around the World !Sep 2026

From Sailing Uma — 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.