Sam Holmes Sailingvideo
Boat Life Just Changed Forever. We Got a 3D Printer!
February 22, 2026 · 11 min · 43K views
Crew member operates outboard motor on calm sea
What this video covers
The Bambu Lab A1 3D printer provides a lightweight, compact solution for fabricating custom marine parts and replacing obsolete or broken hardware on a cruising boat.0:15 The printer features auto-leveling, high-speed printing, and swappable nozzles, allowing for the production of functional components like Yamaha outboard keys, solar panel rain-catchment funnels, and stanchion-mounted cam cleat brackets for daggerboard lines.0:39 The unit operates reliably even while the boat is underway in waves, and its power consumption remains low enough to run off the house battery bank while simultaneously powering air conditioning.3:22 Beyond small repairs, the printer serves as a prototyping tool for larger projects, such as testing a mainsail headboard lift before machining it from aluminum.10:30 By utilizing 3D-printed parts, boat owners can eliminate deck clutter from broken, hard-wired electrical fixtures and create custom ergonomic solutions, such as modified key grips or phone mounts, that are tailored to specific onboard needs.7:24
More from Sam Holmes Sailing
From Sam Holmes Sailing — 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.