Trying to PREP for the PACIFIC but everything keeps BREAKING in the CARIBBEAN (🎥45)

Episode Recap: Overcoming Challenges in the BVI – Water Maker Problems Sailing BVI

In this exciting episode of Sailing Machete, we follow the family as they attempt to prepare for their upcoming Pacific crossing while dealing with numerous setbacks and issues that arise during their time sailing through the Caribbean and British Virgin Islands (BVI).

Their journey begins in the beautiful BVI, where they spend Christmas on the beach, taking Daniel’s parents around the islands. However, despite these wonderful moments, the family faces several challenges, including dealing with a faulty warranty replacement Quattro inverter. They are left waiting to see what Victron has to say about it and must make do with their spare multiplus while hoping for a solution.

The family then makes the quick sail from Tortola to St. John, where they learn more about the area’s history at the Annaburg Sugar Plantation, which is just one example of the many remnants of Old Sugar plantations that are scattered throughout the islands. As they explore this piece of history, they’re grateful that their kids get a firsthand look at what life was like in these places during a time when slavery was still an unfortunate reality.

Next up for the family is trying to make room on board Machete for upcoming purchases such as a downwind sail. To accomplish this task, they decide to store their paddle boards in custom-made racks designed by Magma, allowing them to free up valuable space and keep everything organized.

While attempting repairs to their water maker system, Daniel discovers that the high-pressure hose is vibrating excessively due to suspected cavitation within the pump. To fix the problem once and for all, he carefully inspects each component of the high pressure pump and ultimately decides to take it apart for further examination.

In addition to the broken water pump parts, Daniel finds a broken O-ring that should have been detected by the quality control process before the product left the factory. He contacts Rainman and explains their troubles in detail. They eventually manage to obtain spare O-rings and change the oil in the high-pressure pump according to maintenance guidelines.

While struggling with the water maker repairs, the family finds themselves completely out of fresh water on their boat. As luck would have it, they stumble across a leaking dinghy which needs urgent mending using an air leak repair kit named Final Fix. Unfortunately, the process isn’t without its difficulties as well; but perseverance pays off and Daniel manages to successfully patch up the hole in the inflatable boat’s bottom.

In the final moments of this episode, Daniel discusses a recent conversation about sending their beloved family cat Mickey back to South Carolina, where he would live with Daniel’s parents. The main reason behind this difficult decision is that many Pacific countries like Galapagos do not allow pets, and the stringent Australian entry requirements might pose logistical problems for them.

To make things easier in preparation for their long-awaited Pacific crossing, they pack up various boat parts, maintenance equipment, and other essentials. However, there are still concerns about whether all of this material will be allowed to come back onto Machete in St. Croix later on.