Sailors in Mexico Prep for Pacific Crossing: Stack Pack DIY and Electronics OVERHAUL

Welcome back to Breaking Waves!

This episode begins in Bara Navidad, Mexico, where the crew allows themselves a dock for a month to tackle major projects before sailing across the Pacific Ocean to French Polynesia.

Projects Overview

It’s January, and three main projects are on the agenda:

1. Installing a new Hydra vane for uninterrupted steering during the 30-day journey.
2. Constructing a stack pack for efficient sail management.
3. Ben wrapping up his last month of the 9-to-5 job.

The crew faces challenges, but the goal is set.

Windlass Woes and DIY Fix

Upon arrival in Tenacatita, a forgotten windless issue surfaced. The crew improvised a fix, and Ben later delves into the technical details, showcasing the importance of maintaining contact points. Recalling their last episode, a forgotten windlass issue is addressed. Ben disassembles the buttons, discovering corroded contacts. With a makeshift cleaning method, the crew celebrates the successful fix, restoring the windlass to its intended functionality.

DIY Stack Pack Creation

The desire for a stack pack led them to a cost-effective DIY approach. Viewers get an in-depth look at the process, from materials list to sewing, with Ally tackling the project diligently.

With eyes set on a stack pack, the crew delves into a DIY project. Facing challenges and a learning curve, the team documents the process, sharing insights and materials used to encourage fellow sailors to tackle the project themselves.

AIS Troubleshooting Adventure

Ben takes on the challenge of troubleshooting the unreliable AIS system. Through calls with Raymarine support and meticulous testing, he identifies a faulty Terminator in the backbone. With a replacement, the AIS system starts showing signs of life. The narrative includes discussions with Raymarine support, diagnostics, and the importance of terminators in the backbone system

Stack Pack Challenges and Triumphs

While Ben troubleshoots AIS, Ally perseveres with the stack pack. The journey involves broken bobbins, calls to Mom, and meticulous measurements. After numerous setbacks, the stack pack is finally completed. Eventually, they celebrate the completion of their DIY stack pack. The crew reflects on the journey, acknowledging the small victories that propel them forward.

What’s Next?

As the crew prepares for a Pacific crossing, they’ve conquered DIY projects, fixed technical glitches, and learned valuable lessons.

The episode ends with a glimpse into upcoming projects, teasing the need for lazy jacks. Patreon offers behind-the-scenes content, materials/tools lists, and insights into life aboard in Mexico. Join Breaking Waves for an immersive sailing experience, and stay tuned for more adventures!

Join Ben and Alie, 2 sailors as they gear up for a Pacific Ocean Crossing! Learn how to make your own stack pack for cheap, troubleshoot electronic glitches, and see first hand how much work goes into preparing a boat to sail across the Pacific Ocean! Sail with us on this off-grid odyssey! ⚓️🔧✨ #SailingAdventure #DIY #OffGridLiving #Howtomakeastackpack Breaking Waves is a channel about Ben and Alie sailing the world in search of the best surf waves, and the adventures they find themselves in. SV Kiana is a 1989 Sceptre that has circumnavigated once already, Ben and Alie refit her to do it again! To join us on Patreon and get exclusive content! https://www.patreon.com/breakingwavessailing Follow us on instagram for daily updates! https://www.instagram.com/breakingwaves.alie https://www.instagram.com/breakingwaves.ben Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/breakingwavessailing Get your Breaking Waves Swag at https://www.breakingwavessailing.com/shop A portion of everything we make from this channel will be donated to https://www.ruggedcoastresearch.com to help us clean up the ocean. #sailing #surfing #liveaboardlife