MARTINIQUE · 14°28′N 60°52′W

Hauled out in Le Marin

Six weeks on the hard. The yard stripped her to gelcoat, pulled fifteen seacocks, and found the rudder bearing worn further than the survey suggested. What it cost, what I supplied myself, and the two things I would argue harder about next time.

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SV Barefoot heeled on a beam reach under full sail, the helm distant, open water beyond.

IN REFIT

Latest from the log

ALL VOYAGES

Anchor chain running off the bow into flat water at first light, volcanic ridgeline catching the first sun.

AT ANCHOR

PASSAGE

Overnight to Guadeloupe

18 JUL · 9 MIN

Aerial view of a sloop lying to its anchor over sand and seagrass in a bay at Les Saintes.

DRONE

Les Saintes from 400 feet

11 JUL · 4 MIN

Removed bronze seacocks laid out in a row on a boatyard workbench, still crusted with growth.

REFIT

Seacocks, all fifteen

28 JUN · 12 MIN

CAPTAIN SAYS · TESTED

Seajet 038 antifouling

Two full seasons on a Caribbean bottom before it wanted attention. I supplied my own and saved the yard markup on top of it. Wants the 015 primer beneath — do not skip it on bare gelcoat.

Affiliate link. I only recommend gear that has been fitted to this boat.

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Also aboard

ALL RECOMMENDATIONS

CAPTAIN SAYS

Jabsco manual head

FITTED 2026 · V-BERTH HEAD

Replaced the electric unit forward. Fewer things to fail offshore, and no controller to corrode. Pumps harder than the old one and the crew has opinions about that.

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Affiliate link. I only recommend gear that has been fitted to this boat.

CAPTAIN SAYS

PAR MAX 4 raw water pump

FITTED 2023 · ENGINE RAW WATER

Three years, one impeller. Carries a rebuild kit well and the kit is worth having aboard before you need it. Noisier than the unit it replaced.

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Affiliate link. I only recommend gear that has been fitted to this boat.