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Our Smoking Broken Yacht Engine & Tornado Touchdown
March 30, 2025 · 21 min · 39K views · Tahiti
What this video covers
The crew of the catamaran Chequers faces a series of mechanical failures while anchored in Papeete, Tahiti. A lack of cooling water flow to the engine is traced to a blockage in the raw water intake pipe caused by seaweed, which occurred because the seacock lacks an external protective grid.5:24 The crew also struggles with an intermittent autopilot, which they diagnose as a faulty rudder sensor.6:35
Engine starting issues persist after a failed attempt to replace the starter battery and the discovery that a spare starter motor kept on board is incompatible.13:55 After visiting multiple automotive shops, the crew sources a replacement Yanmar starter motor from a local dealer in Papeete.17:51 They also clean corroded engine grounding wires to improve electrical connectivity.12:38 While troubleshooting the engine, the crew observes a waterspout near the anchorage.14:14 The repairs successfully restore engine function, though the crew remains on edge due to the cumulative nature of the boat's maintenance requirements.19:41
Boats in this video
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