Sailing Good, Bad, and Uglyvideo

Sailing with NO ENGINE in HURRICANE ALLEY Sailing GBU

September 30, 2021 · 27 min · 187K views · Puerto Rico

What this video covers

The crew of the 30-ft sailboat Good, Bad, and Ugly attempts to navigate and maneuver without an engine, relying on a self-tacking rig and a custom-sewn staysail.1:11 After departing a mooring in Vieques, Puerto Rico, the crew tests the sail configuration in light winds, reaching speeds of 4.3 knots by combining the main, head, and staysail.6:14 A developing squall with lightning forces the crew to abandon the test and sail back to the anchorage.5:03 The self-tacking system allows for repeated short-tacking into the wind to reach the mooring.9:00 Later, the crew attempts shore-based fishing and prepares a meal over a beach bonfire using foil packets.15:41 The staysail improves the boat's ability to point closer to the wind, though it provides limited speed in light air.6:13 The crew concludes that while sailing without an engine is possible, a motor remains essential for safety when navigating around severe weather cells.7:15

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