E45: Preparing a 27' Boat For a Solo Pacific Crossing

If you want to support me, check out my Patreon account (thank you so much!!) patreon.com/windhippie
For more regular photo updates and boating life, check out my instagram page: @boatlizard
I am a 28-year-old female solo sailor beginning my circumnavigation. My boat is a 27-foot-long sloop named Gecko. Follow me on my journey as I learn about heavy weather sailing, the trials of being solo, and my adventures in paradise. Follow my bi-weekly blog on : windhippie.com
I am currently in French Polynesia. The internet is spotty and unreliable so I am unable to respond to messages still. I have uploaded this series of videos while I was still in Panama and my lovely sister Tish is putting them onto KZbin for me so you guys can still get content.
Thanks for watching and subscribing! You guys are the best!

[@sailingseahawk2012]

This and sailing Tritea are easily my favorite sailing channels because y’all keep it real.

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Captain Holly is a master at improvising, adapting and overcoming...sail on, Captain sail on!

[@wbevis3097]

You are Freaking amazing! I have been thinking of doing the same thing!! I have never sailed before and I am 60 so I am nervous!

[@jorahkeys9310]

Very very cool

[@40watt_club]

Hah, I am 60 too and have the same thoughts .. so it might not be easy :-)

[@aussieoffroader1974]

Get a boat and go find someone that knows how to sail and do it... you wont regret it!!

[@willisgemutlich2608]

yes! do it! "do or do not, there is no try" to aussie i'd counter that it's a better idea to find a sailor that HAS a boat, and crew for a bit before you buy something and start figuring out why you wished you got a different one. somehow sailing is like volleyball. everyone is usually super friendly and although there's competition, it's positive and there's a huge kindredship shared. find some people that know their ropes and just go for it. you won't regret it.

[@aussieoffroader1974]

@@willisgemutlich2608 good point 👍🏼

[@rmbkvver]

Been following for a while now, and just realized I'm a bit slow... cause I just realized it's a Grinde you're sailing... A fantastic boat! I spent most of my childhood aboard ours, back then named "Poseidon" - Really proud to see that you're taking such a fantastic boat around the globe! Safe sailing and best whishes from Denmark ;)

[@iamJahwill]

You are an amazing inspiration. Only watched a few of your videos but plan on enjoying many more. I am thinking a lot lately about finding a boat and sailing wherever i feel like going.For now it's just a dream,I have no real money, but you make me believe I can do it too. Thank you.

[@homeless_snowboarder8225]

I feel like people don't want to fill a rusty tank partially for THEIR safety. Not to mention, pretty sure there is some mean pressure in there. Be safe, don't push it TOO far.

[@svexitstrategy2595]

That cheese can sit on the deck for days. It has the half-life of Uranium.

[@arobril8701]

"Cheese" in name only...

[@Copainization]

10:30:15:00 premiers the best plastic cheese you'll ever eat for 1000 miles.

[@JunoSolarWinds]

It's only surface rust because of the salt environment. Those things are well thick metal. When she painted it you could tell it wasn't deep rust.

[@davenghiem364]

Rust also creates a patina that protects the underside of steel from further corrosion.

[@keithpither2541]

A new tank should be high on your list of priorities. Stay safe and have fun.

[@nicolelewonkenobi]

They're not that expensive.

[@terryknutson3202]

@@nicolelewonkenobi Depends i suppose where you are and if you can even find one???????????????????

[@joelvca]

Have you considered getting or making a solar oven to reduce fuel usage in tropical latitudes, or would that be just-one-more-thing-I-don't-have-room-for? In the mean time, best wishes (which I guess you won't see 'til after you've arrived) for fair winds and following seas, and just enough rain to refill your water tanks when you need to.

[@Adam-tn8yh]

Beautiful dolphin filming with perfect backing music😊

[@joshsfanclub6224]

Just found this and wow. You are just so courageous, and inspiring. Please keep it up!

[@paulchristopherriley7503]

that person's gamalon-esk music was so resonant with my being. I did not know my being was paying attention.

[@michaeldoble5626]

great videos - as one fellow sailor to another, i would think about getting a new propane tank in the future... don't want to take chances with those!

[@svamour4574]

Great job. So funny about the cheese and so true. What are we eating?

[@paulchristopherriley7503]

i do not watch another sailing channel. You are so profoundly imbued with this life that i do not condecend to watch others.

[@kz4506]

Well you might make New Zealand yet , big seas you will find , and hidden reefs all over so good luck watcH adventures of an old sea dog he’s battling it now so good luck

[@kingdesert7807]

My last boat gone up in flames of leaking propane tank it literly blew up by gones by gones good luck have fun

[@sausage5849]

The next episode is going to be epic! Can't wait!

[@ThydaCookingTV]

Yeah

[@mikepatton1489]

Hope you had a good crossing and can’t wait for the videos..

[@Beba-qv3db]

You are amazing lady! Good luck! I plan to watch all the episodes and become a patron .You deserved it !

[@johnarcher8090]

I always look forward to your videos!!! Safe sailing!!!!!!!

[@mariocooke5463]

good luck in your trip. I am mostly interested only in the Pacific Coast of Panama, so I'll follow your safe passage, then find other sailors to follow over here.

[@GisRewentlow]

if you have space enough inside, a hammock can be a very good way to skip the humpy times.

[@tomdorman2486]

Great channel. I would love to hear your story about how you decided to sail the ocean blue. I love to sail its been awhile so I can see your video as well as others to get my fix. safe travels.

[@pdutube]

Holly you are a 10th level Marine MacGuyver Wizard.

[@JagLite]

Doesn't anyone use flopper stoppers on their boats anymore? They were common in the '70's to reduce rolling at anchor. Most cruisers made their own but there were a few commercially made versions to buy.

[@isaacwalker2045]

You should come on down to New Zealand be great to see you keep up the good work and take care of your self

[@rasmusgpetersen]

The swell in Pedro Gonzalez was insane that Day!!!! Glad you made it to FP! Hopefully we Will see you there Soon enough

[@WindHippieSailing]

Did you make it over here?

[@sailingmoonshadow3169]

Bon voyage! I guess by the time you read this the voyage will have happened so I hope it was bon! I also hope you didn't have too much trouble getting into FP 👍

[@tanukish]

I just found your channel! I like your attitude, keep going!

[@mowhoknow5098]

Hope it all was good and the crossing beautiful, stay safe and keep up the cool factor

[@maryc7830]

I hope the rain cool things down for you..

[@dalecostich8794]

that tank is just fine don't let these worry-warts bullshit you

[@ThydaCookingTV]

Windy day it’s a beautiful day

[@novenebainter6866]

Can't wait to see your crossing.

[@stevejackson2694]

Not only pretty cool, and well spoken, but a pretty good sailor / sailer too boot

[@joshpinnell9025]

If you don't hit up the Sea of Cortez before you cross you're really cheating yourself out of an amazing place. Jacques Cousteau dubbed it 'The World's Aquarium'. Either way be safe and good luck..

[@varieze117pj7]

Thanks again.

[@MrRJBooth]

Have a fantastic voyage with fair winds n following seas :-D

[@oceantraderco]

That was a wicked Ground Sea in the Panama anchorage..do you tie-off your tiller? Fair winds.

[@m44um44u]

Hey, don't let your propane tanks get rusty. They can explode and do all sorts of terrible things.

[@michellegaeb2291]

Btw, the Panamanian government subsidizes the propane. It is only $5 for your tank. He got a $3 tip.

[@weiniesail]

oh god.... please get a new propane tank!

[@ThydaCookingTV]

Good suggestion

[@GS-kx1ys]

wind in the hair...keep sailing!

[@SailingMelody]

Hey Holly. Love you so much. Our latest episode is up now, look at how Jack has grown since episode 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ7cmo14edKFfbc

[@dave-vf7sm]

Another great video 👍 please get a new propane tank 😆 stay safe

[@tomwilliams8675]

You're awesome Holly 👍

[@larrykas1]

I am a new subscriber to your channel are you still making videos for KZbin only ones I see is ones that three and four years old.

[@kenegan7649]

Ill see you in sydney...you can come on my 26 footer and ill show you the real harbour

[@sailwanderingdolphin2769]

Way to GO!

[@sipitak8702]

How long have you been sailing? Just wondering how much sailing experience you need to start sailing solo

[@codydwaynefx]

I'm gonna do it within a few years and I have zero experience, so we'll see lol

[@jaywhitestone4626]

But your rusty propane tan.......Oh, never mind 😉👍⛵️😎

[@ArizonaAirspace]

Just watching your video is making me sea sick. Just kidding. It’s beautiful there though. You have a big cahuna, girl. Amazing. Respect. That’s not an easy task even for very seasoned sailors.

[@davie261]

Some of us are cool, you are the coolest

[@ThydaCookingTV]

Agree

[@CamCoal]

Be safe Holly🇹🇨

[@leopoldohernandez4939]

That was very funny,I mean the propane tank painting,at first I was'nt understanding what you were up to and when I saw you painting the gas tank with spray paint I laugh so hard and for a very long time!!😁👍

[@jwwjww2041]

have a great time

[@joedwyer2313]

Hey beauty, great video yo!

[@joedwyer2313]

The dolphin montage was magic

[@-educeretutoring9774]

Tish, Please write Holly's latitude and longitude when you upload the videos.

[@kz4506]

And buy your self some new gas bottles there stuffed ,don’t take risks you will never get those filled in other country’s with rust

[@scotdor]

Gonna pretend i didn't see those tank shenanigans!

[@waynehoch3009]

How much water do you plan to take for the crossover?

[@russellclement2058]

Before you float off into the Pacific please get your Cooling problem checked,,

[@LesterJennings-y7j]

The gecko looks a lot newer less lived in then

[@longtailsgal6119]

Are you and Jarnes going sailing tandem in each of your boats? Hey, where is the lat and long?

[@airedale06]

Holly is still in Nuku HIva, French Polynesia.

[@grahammewburn]

Would hanging a drouge or car tyre out the back help?

[@angelcalero6464]

Safe travels

[@C_C_SEA]

Congrats on a successful safe adventurous Pacific crossing! Fresh 💨 Fair 🌊 Safe passage all ways ⚓️❤️

[@arthurme1911]

Why not use the ocean to pull you along you put a ocean sail in the water if u now where the currents are you are moving fast Or you modify your boat and put fins down under the water and one across that notes u across the ocean

[@roryvonbrutt7302]

I bet you're so stoked to be away from Panama kudos

[@Tapo3x]

How did you sanitaize all these groceries??

[@mazroey]

we miss you

[@nealbirch9462]

Thanks!

[@brianboys9015]

So cool

[@HoTaDeAtH6699]

Hey if you nlcome to nz, gimme a shout love to meet you

[@unclebob6728]

Go Holly!

[@urabus7875]

nice

[@grahammewburn]

For your own safety please buy a new propane tank. Grandpa Gray. Cheers

[@howardmann7461]

Not cool spraying toxic paint over the ocean. Fishes need pure water too. Bad girl, bad girl.

[@TheBeaker59]

I'm a grandpa too and I do exactly the same, the steel tanks never rust through but they do rust I wire brush and paint mine every year which is how often I fill them. They don't explode or do all sorts of terrible things they may leak but that's rare as long as they are stored outside its not really a problem. If theres a problem it will be the valves. Tanks have to be tested every 5 yrs I just replace my tanks every 5 years which is almost as cheap as getting a tank tested.

[@SailingTaranto]

@@TheBeaker59 not a grandpa yet myself but I've done the same thing a couple of times already :-) ps I do encourage a wire brushing though, thought Holly would have done a little bit of that if expending on effort and paint.

[@ThydaCookingTV]

In my country Cambodia just there’s a case of explosion of gas container about 100km from the mainland luckily that he had been saved by the police

[@debraderoos5225]

how did you learn to sail?

[@omegaseamaster1550]

wouldnt a drogue help with keeping her 'Bow Too' the waves ??

[@andrewparry1474]

Not at anchor

[@darrenking3187]

Here first, hi Holly.

[@kenegan7649]

By the way hollie...my boat has a stainless propane tank

[@disastermysterycrime2395]

Surely the answer to the hot deck was wear shoes...

[@timwebb8153]

Holly, using a rusty LP tank is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! Please do not attempt this again!

[@Onlinesully]

Hi. are both of you sailing on one both or two boats ?

[@scottmechanical]

I think she said she was on his “Dingy” or was it he wanted her “Dingy” ?

[@gorgeousgeorge5550]

Wow talk about making a mountain out of a molehillwhy not just put the bottle on the bottom of the dinghy that sitting right there and paint it, only a woman 😂🤓😎🤣 (love your videos love you)

[@gorgeousgeorge5550]

Cuz you might have got a little bit of paint on the bottom of your dinghy oh my oh my gosh 🤣😎🤓

[@erl1544]

“I’m going to spray paint it so no one knows it’s dangerous”. Says the person who later sues the filling station for their own negligence.

[@STEVIE1959]

They call me Cork

[@ricecrash5225]

I hate the thought of you using that rusty propane tank. Their is a reason they won’t refill it. It’s not safe.

[@vulturemunchies4692]

💙

[@plutobottles8561]

That tank needs to be replaced not painted. That thing is not safe.

[@ImNotADeeJay]

This is not Sailing Zatara, this girl probably has a tight budget

[@plutobottles8561]

@@ImNotADeeJay A new propane tank is not a bank breaker. If she has enough money to sail the world she can afford a 50$ 20 pound propane tank.

[@Buses2Bikes]

:: Queue Judas Priest :::: Breakin' The Law...Breakin' The Law!

[@timwebb8153]

A new tank would have been cheaper than all that agony ...

[@pepperKingdom]

like !!

[@keithcopeland8245]

No Holly song this time lol im sad not really stay safe and healthy

[@ThydaCookingTV]

Hope you stay safe always

[@billhanna8838]

try burning that cheese - wont , dont know what the hell its made of but id bet not milk ?

[@GENECARP]

Prep is 80% of the job...

[@nicholaspablocmith3165]

Beware nervous nellies, naysayers and armchair captains.

[@000scubasteve]

My god you are beautiful!!!!! Is there any chance of a meeting in this lifetime?