The Sailing Brothers · video

What this video covers

A 31-nautical-mile coastal passage along the west side of Viti Levu, Fiji, results in a mainsail failure when a shackle rips off the boom.7:52 The crew experiences 20–25 knot winds and heavy rain while navigating a tidal reef cut near Nadi.5:47 Upon inspection, the failure occurs because the original plate securing the mainsail to the boom was undersized and fastened with only two rivets.14:03 The crew repairs the connection by installing a larger plate secured with six rivets and replaces a missing velcro strip to stabilize the sail.14:09 Following the repair, the vessel anchors at Saweni Beach, where the crew explores local sugar cane fields and the Lautoka sugar mill, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.16:45 The crew plans a 500-mile passage to Vanuatu for the following week.22:12 Proper hardware sizing and rivet count are essential for boom-to-mainsail attachments under load.

Boats in this video

More from The Sailing Brothers

300-Mile Offshore Passage: Shifting Winds & Near MissesSep 2026HE HELD US HOSTAGE?! Sep 2026What We Found Beyond the City Lights...Sep 2026Sailing from PARADISE to the Loudest City in IndonesiaAug 2026

From The Sailing Brothers — 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.