FULL REFIT ALREADY? - SwT 51 Rig refit part 1(NOT A DIY OR HOW TO)

This is NOT a DIY or HOW TO refit rigging video. BE FREE is too big and requires professionals and professional tools for this enormous job replacing everything from top to toe. Only original parts from SELDEN are used in this process and replaced by experienced professionals. My job is just to observe and pay for this. The entire cost will be shared in refitting video part II. Once the mast is down I’m also replacing antennas and instruments. Also replacing old anchor light with updated multi-color/function light. By impulse, it changes from anchor to 3 color or even strobe. And during the weekend not musch is going on so I invited Hanna over for dinner.

I’m only sharing my adventure and the true reality of sailing around the world. BE FREE is nine years now and the hardware is at the end of its lifetime. No matter what brand or type you have rigging should be replaced every 10 years as a minimum. There are lots of myths out there like «My yacht is so strong and good old school build, so it lasts forever!» I’m sorry to break this myth and tell you this is not true. Bronze fittings do not last more than 10 years either, and even though the surface may look nice and shiny it’s what you don’t see that’s the problem. I have not only lost one mast but two times. Both times during race close to shore but rules are the same it only needs more frequent replacements.

You might think I’m crazy to do this on such a new yacht.
So here are my arguments:
As a solo sailor, I need everything to be in top condition for safety and comfort. When rigging is 9 years it’s at its end of life time and I have sailed 20K miles. Replacing this in the Pacific would not only be a risky project but most likely more expensive. The next stop would be New Zealand.

Thank you for watching and hope you enjoy this video!

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ABOUT THIS CHANNEL:
I’m trying to sail solo around the world in my Bavaria 55 Cruiser, making videos whenever I have time for it. Most of the time I sail singlehanded but occasionally I do have sailing friends onboard. Still in the Caribbean due to Covid and was supposed to be in Asia by now.

Even though this is season 3 on youtube I have already sailed 4 seasons full time but did not make that many videos in the beginning. Before full-time sailing, I have sailed several seasons in the Med prior to this, and obviously also in Scandinavia. I have been traveling the world before and also been an active regatta sailor. I had my first sailboat at age 7 and been sailing ever since.

PLEASE BE KIND IN THE COMMENTS!
I’m just a normal person sharing my travel adventure through my eyes and experience from my perspective! Remember how I do things might work for me but not for you. It might even not be the correct way to do things, and I don’t have the blueprint either. I’m not perfect and nobody is. The day I believe I know it all and don’t think I can learn new things I should go ashore.