SUMMONING MY INNER MACGYVER TO FIX BROKEN WINDLASS IN REMOTE BAHAMAS (EP 9)

[@jodyssey9921]

Love it. I often joke that when something breaks on my boat I'll just carve a new one because I do that all the time now at work and here you are carving your own parts. 😂👍

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you! lol. At first I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. After asking all the boats around me and checking with the local “marine” stores, no one had anything that would help. I guess it just comes with the territory that we have to make some of our own parts.

[@jamescarid3448]

It's alot like the shear pins on my snow blower. Great job Amy and Happy Easter.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Exactly. I’m so happy I was able to make it work. Thank you for watching! And a very happy Easter to you as well!

[@SMM-Mystery]

Way to go!! Again, demonstrating your calm, even keeled manner in the face of an issue. Love the way you tackled assessing and addressing the fix. Your the BOSS Amy. Love the video.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! It makes my heart happy that people are enjoying the videos! I’ve gotta remain calm if I want to properly work my own brain through diagnosing and repairing the issues.

[@ClubBlue3650]

Great job! I'm a woman who is better at repairing the washing machine than using it. Lol. Love your videos and your style.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! Yep, I’m the exact same way. And I feel so fortunate that my grandpa taught me when I was a young kid on the farm. It’s an invaluable skill that not many people know, let alone us women.

[@ClubBlue3650]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures thank you for sharing that. I grew up on a farm too, learned from dad how to rebuild motors and carbs. Repair motorhomes and trailers as an adult. You rock!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

That’s so awesome! I love that I’m able to make any needed repairs to my own boat, and I’m sure you feel the same. It’s quite freeing to know you don’t HAVE to rely on someone else! Maybe our paths will cross one day. I’d love to meet you!

[@ClubBlue3650]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures it sure is! I think our paths just crossed..lol. I'd love to meet you too someday.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Hahahaha! Right! I wish you the very best on your own journey!

[@billhanna8838]

Yachts & Finigerling = Just goes together .

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Totally! It’s a requirement. lol. Thanks for watching! 🤘

[@user-retsailor]

Kansas Navy Vet here. Damn nice repair ! Great ingenuity. That's sometimes what makes the difference between success and failure. So my only criticism is get yourself some safety glasses Amy; accidents happen when you least expect them. I watch several sailing you tubers and in one, the guy used the wrong tool for the job, injured himself and now, in the States getting operation to fix his mistake and completely ruined their adventure. Any thought about where you're holing up for Hurricane season ? I've seen people mentioned Luperon D.R. (I think that's the name, sounds like a decent place). Take care and be safe.....

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much for watching! It’s nice to have fellow Jayhawks comment. 😃 And thanks for serving! I was in the Marine Corps myself. It was the fastest way out of Kansas once I got out of high school. I agree with using glasses. It’s even more important now that I’m in more remote areas that are further away from doctors. Next time I’m cutting or grinding, I’ll just have to suck it up and wear my nice sunglasses. Better that than an eye! I’m not entirely sure where I’ll end up for hurricane season. Luperon or Puerto Rico would make the most sense, as I’ll be working endlessly on the boat and needing supplies. But I’d also like to get south of the 10th parallel; maybe down to Grenada. Who knows. But I’m enjoying not having to make any real plans on a regular basis.

[@ABoatNamedCrazy]

You did a great job explaining and making the repair.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Good to know. Hopefully it helps others, or at least gives them ideas for when they have similar issues. Thank you for watching!

[@CPB111]

I'm impressed.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you! I’m so happy it worked, cause there’s no way I wanted to be raising and setting the anchor by hand!

[@SailingVesselEquinox]

Awesome! Great work! I think the word you're looking for when describing those two metal bits, is a "shaft key".

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much, Logan! Meh, more like tiny shear pins. I was so dang exhausted that day! Had just finished a 12 hour passage, and then had to deal with that. It was a brutal day!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

​@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures If it goes again and you need to haul anchor run a rope from a large winch at the back on one side, if you've a hook or clip that will fit into your chain ...you can use the winch to pull the chain up a boat length at a time.. but you'll have to manually tie or off while you re attach the hook and hauling rope and manually feed that length of chain you hauled into the locker. It's a pain but you will be using a winch and not wrecking your back.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 That’s actually a fantastic idea! But I’m gonna 🫰 that it doesn’t. lol. I just wasn’t prepared for that failure at all. But now that I know, I should be able to manage fairly easily…if I’m dropping it when it happens. For raising it, though, I love your method! Thanks!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures It has an actual Sailing name but I've forgotten ..it's one that has long ago entered the English language .. like copper bottom, Square meal, brass monkey, learning the ropes and 3 sheets to the wind. 🇬🇧👍🏼 Try googling sailing terms raising the anchor by using a rope and winch.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Everything on boats seem to have their own, obscure names. lol. I’ll google it, though. Thank you!

[@johnnylightning1491]

Good Macgyver job Amy. Although I hate destroying tools sometimes the tools just have to take one for the team. Keep the good stuff coming.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you! Haha! Perfect way of putting it! I don’t like destroying tools either. But I looked for a solid 30 minutes for anything that had the same diameter. That darn pick was all I could come up with.

[@sartorst3376]

11:17 the safety squint reduces eye damage up to 90% depending on how tight 😊

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Hahahaha! TOTALLY! I’ve got the safety squint perfected!

[@user-rd1mg8ou5c]

Wow. That was fantastic. Way to go

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you very much! I’m happy you enjoyed it! 🤘

[@gloriahesafan]

Wow just Wow Im a lorry mechanic and go to stores to get spares, but you couldnt, i am amazed you came up with that Fix idea, Im learning so much for when i get my boat x

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

No way! ❤️ That’s awesome! I didn’t have a choice, though. Because I’m in such a remote area, getting parts is nearly impossible. I HAD to figure something out. And here it is 2 months after that and it’s still working perfectly fine.

[@BrokerFr8]

Great job fixing that problem.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you. It’s still operational today, with that same Harbor Freight pick.

[@BrokerFr8]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures looking forward to watching your travels on your new Westsail.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

@@BrokerFr8 ahhhh! I’m so excited! A TON of work ahead of me, but I’m up for the challenge.

[@BrokerFr8]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures glad you bought it. You saved me 25k lol

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

@@BrokerFr8 lololol. And a crazy amount of work! But it’ll be so worth it. I’m already looking forward to having her looking tip top again.

[@Captkris24]

Great job Amy! Nothing sucks worse than having to pull your anchor by hand...I had a manual windlass for years until I installed my new Lofrans Kobra...

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you! I’m lucky that I’m able say I can only imagine e how much it sucks! lol. I would’ve rather it failed while trying to raise it. I just wasn’t prepared. The biggest & busiest anchorage I’ve ever been in, and I had no way to drop the hook….until I pulled the gypsy off and pulled the chain out of the locker by hand. It freaked me out a bit at first.

[@Captkris24]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures I can imagine...I have a redundant system on my electric windlass,,,up/down switch at the helm and a wireless remote....I was motoring into a big fairly busy anchorage and the brand new wireless remote quit. working...luckily I was able to drop the chain by hand and then wire up my 3rd back up wired remote to haul the anchor when I was ready to go....got to love boats, huh??? lol

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

You were far more prepared than I was! I had to take a plate off the windless in order to drop it by hand. It’s ALWAYS something. lol. But I wouldn’t trade this lifestyle for anything!

[@lynnettemccormick3791]

Wow! Your so awesome! Good job Amy !!!!!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Lynnette!!!! Thank you so much for watching!!! ❤️

[@LPMCC330SR]

Thanks Amy for another great video! Keep up the adventure

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

And thank you for coming back to watch again! It’s truly appreciated. And I’m happy you’re enjoying them! I’m loving this adventure so much; even far more than I thought I would!

[@user-hr4bb3ys5q]

Well done, ma’am. It’s more fun working on the boat than using it, anyway!😅

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! I’ve had about 4 months off from good sized boat projects, so it’s about time to get back to work on her.

[@jimwaddell8163]

Be Proud of ya work right there!! Well Done, n great vid .Thank You 🤜🤛

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words. But I’m just happy I don’t have to raise and set the anchor by hand! Hahaha.

[@oceansquatch1481]

Wow! Way to Maguyver repair it. That’s a real cruiser right there.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! No way in the world did I want to be raising and setting the anchor by hand. Hahaha. I’m too spoiled for that nonsense!

[@khannaeem995]

wow well done amy's 😍😍😍🤩🤩

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! 🤘

[@sirkyoj1]

Very good fix! I used a harbor freight pick piece recently to fix a joint on a radio!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you! Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do, right. That 50 cent pick was well worth the money! 😃

[@sirkyoj1]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures best part they come in a pack of 5!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

lol. No doubt! Which will let me fix many more things with them. Hahaha.

[@stevepeterson5943]

Feels good to be self sufficient and prepared, nice goin MacGy-vress : ) I keep a small anchor next to me when entering/exiting marina I did have to use it once when tbe motor died, with wind going the wrong way : ) Also, good Lord thats so many boats!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you very much! I feel so fortunate that I’m able to make any/all repairs myself. And it makes me feel good. I like that you just keep it beside you. That’s a good idea! My pulpit isn’t set up to hang a secondary on it. So I’ll use your method and just pull it out of the lazarette when entering. Right?!?! 417 is what they reported on the cruisers net the first morning. It was wild seeing all the boats!

[@iainnicholson4399]

Glad you're view count is going up.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much for watching again! It’s a slow climb, but it’s going up, so I’ll take it!

[@brucehartnett8709]

Yr awesome! Got all the skills for real cruising. Looking forward to yr adventures. Cheers!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much for watching! I love working on my own boat! Not only to save money, but for the sense of pride.

[@lukecelt9000]

That’s some crafty and inventive DIY repairing! Nice woik!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you! I’m beyond happy that I only had to set the anchor by hand one time. And that was bad enough. Can’t even imagine having to raise it.

[@alexanderledwith1780]

Excellent repair made! Imagination and machinery do go well together. Do you think the ‘keepers’ are rounded, sitting in a concave, in order to transfer force through compressive load, as opposed to shear load? Just wondering why a woodruff key wasn’t chosen as the sacrificial component like in so many other applications 🤔

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

I’m too am not sure why a woodruff wasn’t used. It would’ve been so much easier, and probably more sturdy. Though I’m sure there are greater minds than mine that have purposely designed it this way. I wonder if my brand new spare has a woodruff. I won’t open it until I actually need it, but I certainly hope it’s a bit sturdier.

[@Amycolo1]

Heck yeah! Love that repair!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you!

[@tgcrowson]

Hey, Amy. Great video. Loved the content. Thanks for sharing 👍🏼 please wear safety glasses when metal shards are flying around. Eyes are important 😮

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you for watching! It makes me so happy that people are enjoying the videos! I agree, that was a fail on my part. Especially being so far away from medical care where I am, it’s even more important now to protect my eyes. Next time I’ll just wear my sunglasses.

[@TiffanyReed-ow9xj]

Boss shit again! Nice job, sis! Please please wear glasses! Keep up the great videos! I’m loving them!!! ❤️ Love you! Stay safe!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Yes, ma’am! I’ll just wear my sunglasses. Didn’t wanna chance ruining my Raybans. 🤣

[@chapter4travels]

Nicely done! Now we know that Macgyver could have done that with a Q-Tip and chewing gum wrapper but your experience is probably from fixing tractors in Kansas, so you get a pass. Lol

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Hahahaha! I’m sure he could’ve! Having to grow up in Kansas should give anyone a pass!

[@romeowhiskey1146]

CHECK OUT the Peace N Plenty hotel while you're in Georgetown. Thank the CHEF for the CONCH removal technique. Sail on!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

You know, that’s probably the only place in the area I’ve not been. And I’m anchored in front of PnP right now. But I’ve been coming and going from George Town, so I’ve missed some of the activities. Been to Long Island, back up the Exumas a bit…etc. I’ll have to be sure to check it out before permanently heading south and east.

[@johncurry6047]

Key! Mid West Kansas girl . But from an old Englishman wear glasses!!! I have had bit's of metal drilled out of my eyes. you need a small Vice as well. but well done!🤓🤓🤓

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you very much! I’m so happy it worked out. Me and my stubbornness didn’t want to wear my good sunglasses, and I don’t have safety glasses on the boat. But being so far from medical care, now is when I really should wear them. I’d absolutely LOVE to have a little vice onboard! It’s one of the things I failed to think about before setting off.

[@johncurry6047]

Your welcome! and I think the Key should be a bit softer than the gears and shaft so the key will shear before damaging the engineered component? I use nails if I need to? your grandad done you proud though. lol@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

I agree with the keys being softer. The only thing I had available was that pick. lol. I’ll eventually get to a country where I can buy some actual replacements. I’m new to boats, so wasn’t sure what all spares I should bring with me. I love my grandpa! He took me to job sites and had me working on engines and equipment when I was about 8 or so. And then we’d go home and work on the farm. I wish more kids these days had those opportunities.

[@SVSeeker]

I'm not a professional, but I'm from Texas. We squint.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Hahaha! Funny, I literally just left a link on your Facebook page. Figured your fans might enjoy a video like this.

[@SVSeeker]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures Oh shit. I just posted it myself. I'll drop yours, so my comments stays. : )

[@roscoejones4515]

Duug is a 'fabulist', to be very, very kind, who has never been out of the Gulf, never been out of sight of land, and had his sails up maybe 3(?) times. He occasionally motors to another safe harbor where he has access to his truck for trips to Harbor Freight and Putt-Putt golf tourneys. He lost most of the folks who were rooting for him due to his infamous 'practical joke' and his arrogant, narcissistic non-apology. LSS, I wouldn't be tying up my dinky to this wannabe tool.

[@njbaskipper]

Hello, Miss Captain Amy Tips KZbin: homemade fishing lures. How to make long tongue lure female razors. In Spanish: Cómo hacer señuelos caseros con máquina de afeitar.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Heya! Thank you! I’ll definitely check it out, because I’ve not had good luck at all with the skirts or plugs I’ve been using.

[@wallymarienau3771]

Great Job Amy , you found the bearing somewhere there or ?? We really enjoy following along!!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

I straightened it as much as possible. Only 1 of the rollers from the bearing was bad. So I used the end of the pick (smaller diameter) and cut a roller the best I could. I was cussing quite a bit during that part, so I just left it out. But I used grease to hold it in place while I put the gears back together. It ended up working out quite well. As always, thank you very much for watching, my friend! I wish you and the family well!

[@wallymarienau3771]

​@@AmysSoloSailingAdventuresgreat response and for sure have been many times ...hahaha when you said in the video, anyone wanna come and help , I almost bought a ticket

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Hahaha! I’ve got plenty more to do. Come on aboard! Your house can build itself!

[@joeredhawk]

That was amazing and resourceful, I wouldn't of never thought of using an ice pick to patch the missing pieces. Did you order replacement parts for the damaged parts and new bearings?

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you! Unfortunately I’m in an area where I’m not able to get anything delivered. I’ll have to wait until I get to Puerto Rico. And I’ll definitely order some. After all, I only have so many of those picks. lol.

[@joeredhawk]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures Well just as a quick help in case the patch fails, I believe that lewmar model can use a winch handle to operate the gypse (consult your manual or online PDF). In a pinch you can use a line or your spare rode to haul up the anchor by running it back to the cockpit winch through a snatch block or spare block that can handle the rode. The block is just to keep the line off the cabin top and really you just trying to get eh anchor up enough to not bash your bow or catch the bottom, and to get underway and then finish hauling it up. I have learned to have plan A, plan B, and the plan when everything goes to the holding tank. Hope this helps.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

⁠@@joeredhawksomeone else mentioned that, so I was just watching videos last night about how to use a block and winch. Great knowledge to have! I couldn’t use the manual crank because of how those “shear pins” broke and jammed things up. It was making me turn the whole innards. And I didn’t wanna end up ruining it any further than it was. But in a pinch, as a last resort, I would’ve. I now keep a spare anchor out and ready when going into an anchorage. Something I should’ve had setup before now. But, lessons learned.

[@joeredhawk]

​@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures Thanks for suggesting Trout's, saw him lose his Mantus Anchor sailing to the Bahamas, I winced. One suggestion is the KZbin channel Brickhouse (Valiant40) is a nice defunct channel for cruising tips they have a good one for bluewater sailing, the sailor wrote for Practical Sailor. Your stern swim platform and stove are ingenious and look like they belong. Puerto Rico? Your sailing the thorny path, check out Huubs blog he's got a video USA to Caribbean that covers Bruce van Sant's Passages South and explains some of it. A book I suggest you download on your Kindle reader if you haven't already, because it will save you some pain in planning a voyage and has some rules of thumb that will keep you out of trouble.

[@djmini2numpty141]

great work !, Frank from down under.( ex Royal Aust Navy, thought i'd throw that in hehe) . question, what did you do about the busted bearing ? cheers

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! I served in the Marines. I think all kids just out of primary should serve. I learned such a great sense of camaraderie! For the bearing, I straightened it as much as possible. Only 1 of the rollers from the bearing was bad. So I used the end of the pick (smaller diameter) and cut a roller the best I could. I was cussing quite a bit during that part, so I just left it out. But I used grease to hold it in place while I put the gears back together. It ended up working out quite well.

[@babygoat1963]

Very interesting post, nice repair. I am curious about your connection to Kansas, I live on a farm south of Ottawa Kansas. Do you have any videos documenting your boat purchase and restoration work? Have a great day! Tim

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

I grew up right below the dam of Pomona lake and went to school in Pomona. I still have family in Garnett. But Ottawa was where we all went to get anything. I didn’t start recording everything until right after I’d left the states. I was still working a full time job while also working on the boat. So my schedule was pretty busy at the time. In the 1st video, I show some of the transformations. And I’ll continue with upgrades when I’m holed up during hurricane season. Here’s the link to the 1st vid. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4Dcnmeqd9mjntUsi=S8ads9KvUvxMuRVn

[@babygoat1963]

@@AmysSoloSailingAdventures Oh my, what a small world! I am sure we probably know each other or have mutual acquaintances. I am a little older than you (class of 81 central height's). We used to party in Pomona all the time! in the late 70s-80s. Used to hang out at Pomona lake all the time, actually had a little “Butterfly” sail boat we used to sail out there, we were there when the tornado hit and sank the “Whippoorwill” What a terrible tragedy. I had a little “Magic” store in Ottawa for a number of years “Tims Magic Castle” and performed at numerous functions in Pomona over the years. Interesting coincidence that you are from so close! Will keep an eye on your progress! Tim

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

@@babygoat1963wow, that is crazy! I remember that old tornado damaged paddle wheel boat sitting at the Green Acres restaurant for years. I can’t remember how many people perished on it, but so sad! I believe I remember hearing that someone bought and restored it at some point. At that time, the only method of an imminent tornado warning was a sheriff driving down the roads with his lights and sirens on. Yep, we played Central Heights in all the sports. I’ve been to the high school numerous times. I don’t remember the magic store. But I left in 95 and haven’t spent much time there at all. Though last time I was there, I was saddened that Panchos restaurant was no longer there. They had my favorite salsa! Ottawa has changed so much that I don’t even recognize it anymore. Wonder if the kids still cruise their cars between Sonic and the city park. Ahhhh, you’ve taken me back to some fond memories.

[@babygoat1963]

Yes the cruise from forrest park to sonic is still the same! Agreed on Ponchos! A new mexican restaurant is opening where the old “Country Kitchen” was at, not sure who will be in charge of it? I think one of the Ponchos cooks is involved with the restaurant in Garnett, not sure? It is nice to see someone from Kansas living their dreams on the Ocean. I have thought about it for years, you are doing what I have always dreamed about. The geographic connection makes it fun! Ill keep my eyes on your channel, once you get monetized and memberships, patreaon, all that great stuff, Ill sign up and support you! If I can ever help, just let me know! I appreciated your style before I found out we were once practically neighbors! I told the clerk at the Princeton post office about you, see is going to subscribe! we will get the word out in “Franklin” county!😂😂😂😂

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

@@babygoat1963 Thank you so very much! If it’s anything like it used to be, the whole town will know before sunset! 🤣😂 Ah! Forrest park, not city park! Where the car show is every fall. I honestly never dreamt I would be living this lifestyle, never in a million years. But I love it even more than I imagined I would. It’s never too late to make your own dreams a reality! As cliche as it is, we only live once. I’ll have to try the place on the south side of town next time I’m home. I’m not impressed with the couple that are downtown.

[@robertlaird6746]

You should get a spare gypsy just in case yours wares out.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

I’ve now got a spare gypsy as well as a spare windless. In this case, the gypsy wasn’t the issue. Which is good, because I probably couldn’t have made any repairs to that.

[@DavidJohnson-ff4li]

My kind of woman. Awesome view but scary to watch you work on that. Disconnect that motor and wear glasses Darling please.or your going to look like a pirate 🦜🥽

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Yeah, that’s a big ole fail on my part. Didn’t want to ruin my good sunglasses, and don’t have safety glasses on the boat. Next time I’ll just wear the sunglasses. What’s wrong with looking like a pirate though? 😜 Thank you so much for watching!

[@richreilly554]

Admire what you are doing, but please, where glasses. And don't use your teeth to strip wires. Ask me how I know.

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you so much! I know, and agree, it was a fail on my part. Being in a remote area, it’s even more important that I don’t hurt myself. I used to use my teeth when I was younger. Fortunately I made it past that stage. Tell me you didn’t lose a tooth doing it?! 🙏

[@richreilly554]

Broken, now capped. Last thing you need is an eye problem in the middle of nowhere. Be safe and be carreful, and keep posting!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Yikes! I’ve never actually heard of anyone that broke a tooth stripping wire. Thank you for watching! I truly appreciate it. 🤘

[@Onaterashi1]

Another great video!

[@AmysSoloSailingAdventures]

Thank you for watching again! I’m happy you’re enjoying the videos! 🤘