Acorn To Arabella · video

What this video covers

The 38-ft wooden schooner *Arabella* departs Bristol, Rhode Island, for a coastal transit toward Newburyport, Massachusetts.Watch Before departure, the crew installs a new VHF antenna by climbing the mast using ascenders and a friction hitch for safety, while using a Makita vacuum to pull the messenger line through the mast tubing.1:29 During the transit, the crew encounters an intermittent electrical issue where the Wakespeed external regulator fails to stop charging at full battery capacity, causing voltage to climb to 14.6 volts; the crew disconnects the excitation wire to prevent overvoltage.12:01 To address loose shrouds caused by stretching nylon, the crew replaces the dead-eye lashing with Dyneema.15:43 The vessel navigates the Cape Cod Canal, relying on depth sounder readings calibrated by manual depth checks.16:41 After anchoring in Provincetown, the crew completes final mast track adjustments before conducting their first sea trial under sail on a reach toward Gloucester.23:49 The owner notes that the project pace caused significant crew fatigue, necessitating a period of rest and system stabilization in Newburyport.28:21

More from Acorn To Arabella

We Stripped Our Wooden Sailboat Back to Bare Wood... AgainOct 2026Saying Goodbye to Newfoundland—and the Man Who Inspired ArabellaSep 2026Upgrading the Rudder and Another Trek To The CliffAug 2026We're Climbing a Wall No One Has Ever Climbed Before | Rock Climbing on Newfoundland's South CoastJul 2026

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