Hashtag Sal · video

What this video covers

The diesel engine on the 38-ft sailboat Balanço, a marinized Volkswagen Kombi unit nicknamed Control, suffers a total transmission failure while approaching Ilhabela.13:10 The engine’s torque plate, a modified clutch disc from an Opala, shears during the final leg of a passage from Bertioga.15:33 With no propulsion, the crew sails the vessel into Saco da Capela and secures a mooring buoy with assistance from nearby boats.14:37 A local mechanic, Chagas, assists in lifting the engine using the mainsail halyard to access the transmission housing.14:54 A replacement torque plate is sourced from a mechanic in Ubatuba and installed for a total cost of 1,750 BRL.15:23 Prior to the failure, the crew performs maintenance on the fuel system, cleaning the tank and pickup tube after identifying vacuum issues in the fuel line.1:01 The vessel also undergoes modifications to the stern ladder to accommodate a future emergency rudder.4:41 The crew successfully completes the passage from Bertioga to Ilhabela under sail, navigating light winds and tidal currents.12:05

More from Hashtag Sal

The Social Project Teaching the New Generation of Sailors | #SAL #74 ClipSep 2026This Was the Last Sailing of a Chapter in My Life | #SAIL #434Sep 2026The rule no one makes you follow is the one that defines you the most | #SAL #433Sep 2026The Crazy Decision to Build a Boat Without Ever Sailing | Cut from #SAL #70Sep 2026

From Hashtag Sal — 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.