Wind Hippie sailing on a 27' Boat

[thomm225]

So she started in Maine refitting her 27' sailboat a few years ago, and it appears she has recently left New Zealand.

She usually sails single handed but every now and then has a friend or relative as crew.

And I have seen one video where she needed to go up the mast and just climbed the thing without any aid.

It does help though that she has some experience> Second video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JPc1AxRSWA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj8uwQegye4

[Greatest Lakes]

Her boat is Geko. A Grind 27. She completely gutted it and redid the interior with new storage and things to suit her. She had a few mishaps, where she found some parts weaker than expected, like her traveler not being through bolted, and just being screwed to the cabin roof. Her sails wore out this summer and she got some new ones. She has had to learn how to fix her diesel a few times. She was hit by pirates while waiting to go down the Panama canal. That was more than a little scary. She updates her travels regularly, and she actually films some sailing, which is nice to see.

[OldManMirage]

Watching her and others like her in the South Pacific really makes me want to go there. I've always longed to do it, but don't know if I'll ever actually get there.

Then I watch another of her videos and think...maybe, just maybe.

She's inspiring for sure.

[thomm225]

Inspiring for sure.

I've been out all Summer with back problems (Sciatica) but my chiropractor just about has me back to normal or actually a little better. (just way out of shape)

Hopefully will be sailing some these next few days before I start redoing the bottom and touching up the interior and topsides hulls with fresh paint after I have the boat hauled.

This video starts off pretty good with strong wind at anchor which is always a concern depending on nearby boats and closeness of the land.

She pulls out of the anchorage into some pretty strong wind and seas so it reminds me of being on my 27' sailboat and just rolling with the punches.

She mentioned an outboard bracket so her small 10 HP diesel may have finally failed. Or maybe she has just finally bought an outboard for her dinghy which she used to row everywhere.

She is also using her new Rolly Tasker mainsail which is wild because I bought a new one also that I haven't used yet with 3 sets of reef points this past Spring from Sail Warehouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoBJwh4ZNTU

[thomm225]

Tough time getting her engine going to make landfall safer, but between hand cranking and battery she finally does with great relief.....and of course it was 0400 to make things more interesting.

At one point, she had to sail back out to sea before being pushed up on a reef.

She is quite the beast. Strong young lady.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9t7kfi9iOc

[boatman61]

Indeed.. she has my admiration for her determination and 'can do' attitude and Seamanship.. a lot with little.
The complete opposite of the usual tits and bum fodder for the masses.

[thomm225]

She has to repair (actually ended up having to replace the engine) once into New Zealand ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVldLekNQxw

[dcstrng]

Yep, I've followed her (and a few others). She had more cruising experience when she started her semi-solo trek than many folks (including me...) will ever get... quite an inspiration in a down to earth sort of way.

[hlev00]

It’s in her DNA. Try to find “Into the Light”. It is about her family when she a was a young girl.

https://www.amazon.com/Into-Light-Fa.../dp/1930086040

[thomm225]

Wow just checked her engine replacement video.

My boat had the same diesel a Bukh DV-10. (I started it first time in 2011 after 5 years on the hard. Videos below)

It failed soon after, and I replaced it with a 2nd one.

It failed so I went with a new outboard. Later, I found a spot to buy rebuilt Bukh's, but it was too late by then.

Had I known I'd still have the boat 12 years later, I may have search a bit harder.

I also had to enter and exit through the lazarette lockers to access the rear of the engine. It was really tight in there, and I did it on days with temps in the 90's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKTHfGSch5A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoW10TdIPnQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XCRdGK3SG0

[mhay61]

Yes, she’s gettin’ after it. Proving you don’t have to be rich and sailing a 50 footer.

[thomm225]

Btw, her boat is a Grinde 27, and the most amazing thing about is that it has almost a 25 ft. LWL whereas my Bristol 27 has almost a 20" LWL.

Both boat types have circumnavigated.

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/grinde/

https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/bristol-27/

Very interesting story about her parents circumnavigating on a Cal 25 and Holly cutting the imbilical cord at her sisters birth with Dad being the Dr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTMg8n-s0_U

[thomm225]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUTbWUgKDaM

[joeording3]

She's very cool, I sailed with her a few times in SF Bay and when she was telling me her story I thought it sounded really familiar, I had watched "Ice Blink" a documentary about her family. She's a real one.

[berniecurry]

Originally Posted by thomm225

Wow just checked her engine replacement video.
<snip>

Yes, wow! Previously I had known of the Wind Hippie but did not know about her mechanical aptitude. Thanks for posting about it. It gives me great confidence for learning about the mechanical parts of being a cruising sailor.

I am becoming more aware of the many young sailors who have done great trips. It is one of the things I think I missed knowing about when circumnavigating with my dad and stepmom. I was too young to understand about the lesser known history of young sailors. But totally making up for it now!!!!!!!

More please!