This Christmas, instead of decorations or lights, we gave our boat something it desperately needed — a quieter engine room 🎄⛵ After living with constant engine noise while motoring, we finally decided to tackle engine room soundproofing on our ex-racing yacht. In this episode we show how we installed sound insulation inside the engine space to dramatically reduce vibration and noise on board. This is one of those upgrades you don’t always see — but you definitely feel. A quieter boat means less fatigue, better conversations underway, and a much more comfortable life aboard, especially when cruising as a family. If you’re refitting a sailboat, upgrading an older yacht, or wondering whether engine room soundproofing is worth it, this video walks you through the process step by step — including the challenges of working in tight spaces on a performance boat. 🎁 Sometimes the best Christmas presents aren’t shiny — they’re silent. ⛵ We are Sailing NV We’re a sailing family refitting an ex-Vendée Globe Open 66 into our home on the ocean. We share life at anchor, big refit projects, ocean passages, and every breakdown along the way — because that’s boat life. ❤️ Support Our Journey If you'd like to help us keep sailing + filming, you can support us here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share Thank you so much #SailboatRefit #EngineRoom #LiveaboardLife

Living on a boat full-time is intense — refits, family life, tight spaces, and constant jobs never really stop. But part of sailing around the world with our kids is wanting them to experience more than just anchorages. After spending a full year in Borneo — a place that will always be part of our story, as it’s where our baby Tao was born — we finally left the boat behind for a few days to explore one of the most iconic and wild places in Malaysian Borneo: the Kinabatangan River. With our boat safely left in Kota Kinabalu and Timo staying onboard to finish last-minute jobs before we set sail, we flew to Sandakan and travelled by boat deep into the Kinabatangan wetlands. This incredible river is one of the last remaining wildlife corridors in Borneo, home to orangutans, proboscis monkeys, pygmy elephants, hornbills, crocodiles, and so much more. We stayed at Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort, a remote jungle lodge only accessible by river, and spent our days exploring by boat, spotting wildlife, learning about conservation, and soaking up a world completely different from life at sea. Cruising life also means long stretches without seeing family, so sharing this adventure with my brother, his wife, and our kids made it even more special. This episode is a reminder that while boat life is an incredible adventure, sometimes you leave the boat to truly understand the place you’re sailing through. Thanks so much for watching — and if you enjoy sailing, refits, slow travel, and real family adventures, don’t forget to subscribe. 👉 Kinabatangan Wetlands Resort link below https://www.kwrsabah.com/ ⛵ We are Sailing NV We’re a sailing family refitting an ex-Vendée Globe Open 66 into our home on the ocean. We share life at anchor, big refit projects, ocean passages, and every breakdown along the way — because that’s boat life. ❤️ Support Our Journey If you'd like to help us keep sailing + filming, you can support us here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share Thank you so much #WildBorneo #KinabatanganRiver #SailingFamily

This week we haven’t managed to get the full episode finished — we’ve been flat out getting the boat ready to set sail again. ❤️⛵️ So instead we recorded a quick 90-second update to let you know what’s going on. A proper episode will be back next Sunday at 9pm as usual! See you then, Jo & Timo #SailingFamily #BoatLife #SailingAdventure

Our anchor windlass suddenly stopped working — right when we needed it most. In this episode we dive into the full rebuild of our Maxwell anchor windlass after discovering five separate failures inside the unit: ✔ Motor repair ✔ Oil seal replacement ✔ Replaced the worn-out bushing ✔ Machined shaft key ✔ New electrical switch + fuse Timo takes the whole windlass into Kota Kinabalu (Borneo) — walking between workshops, engineering shops and parts suppliers — and somehow manages to fix every problem in just one day. We rebuild, reassemble, test-run and the windlass works perfectly again… meaning we can lift the anchor and keep chasing horizons. ⚓️🌏 ⛵ We are Sailing NV We’re a sailing family refitting an ex-Vendée Globe Open 66 into our home on the ocean. We share life at anchor, big refit projects, ocean passages, and every breakdown along the way — because that’s boat life. ❤️ Support Our Journey If you'd like to help us keep sailing + filming, you can support us here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share Thank you so much #WindlassRepair #BoatLife #sailingfamily #MarineDIY #CruisingMalaysia #SailingYouTube #AnchorWinch #OffGridSailing

This week on Sailing NV, we continue our journey down the west coast of Borneo toward Kota Kinabalu — and stumble into one of the most shocking scenes we’ve witnessed at sea. As we anchor beside a remote stilt village, we discover a literal sea of plastic stretching out beneath the homes. It’s a confronting reminder of what many coastal communities are facing… and what cruising life can reveal when you venture off the usual routes. But the surprises don’t end there. Back aboard NV, our own challenges begin: ✔️ A completely fried windlass motor ✔️ House batteries showing their age Cruising may be paradise, but the boat jobs never stop. Come with us as we anchor off Gaya Island, explore two dramatically different worlds separated by only a few metres, and take the first steps in dealing with our latest mechanical problems. If you enjoy following our family’s adventure — refitting an ex–Vendée Globe race boat into a home and sailing full-time with two kids and a dog — make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a Sunday episode. From the raw edges of remote Borneo… this is Sailing NV. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share THANK YOU!!! #sailingfamily #borneo #oceanpollution

We ran out of fuel on the wild coast of Borneo. Halfway between Kudat and Kota Kinabalu, anchored off a remote fishing village, our engine died with an empty tank… and no marina for miles. What followed was an unexpected and memorable moment of our time sailing Sabah. Join us as we explore this tiny stilt village tucked into the mangroves, where the “fuel station” is nothing more than two metal drums, a battered jug, and the kindness of the people who live here. From wooden walkways to colourful fishing boats, plastic-bag kites, and the ever-present silhouette of Mount Kinabalu watching over the coast — this is cruising life in its rawest form. Life out here is simple, resourceful, and deeply connected to the sea. And for a moment, we got to be part of it. ⛵ We’re a family living full-time aboard our ex-Vendée Globe Open 66, sailing and refitting as we explore the world slowly with our kids and dog. If you enjoy real cruising, remote anchorages, refit stories, and honest family sailing life, subscribe and join us for more episodes every Sunday at 9 PM. Next week: we sail south to Kota Kinabalu… and tackle our next breakdown — the anchor windlass motor. 🚧 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share THANK YOU!!! #sailingfamily #borneo #sailinglife

After weeks of refit work and engine installs, we finally set sail again — slow cruising down the wild north coast of Borneo. This stretch between Kudat and Kota Kinabalu is rarely explored by sailors, dotted with tiny stilt villages, tropical islands, and jungle coastlines watched over by Mount Kinabalu — the tallest mountain in Malaysia and sacred to the local people. In this episode, we share what life is really like living off-grid at sea: catching rainwater, dodging tropical squalls, exploring by TrueKit dinghy https://truekit.net, meeting curious monkeys, and racing hermit crabs on a deserted island. It’s a quieter side of our adventure — the calm before next week’s chaos when we run out of fuel and the anchor windlass breaks! We use PredictWind https://www.predictwind.com/ for our weather routing and forecasts, helping us plan each hop safely along this wild coastline. ⚓ Watch till the end for a glimpse of that coming disaster… and a reminder of why we love this life, even when things go wrong. 00:00 Intro 00:36.Reliability of our new Nanni 01:20 Family life onboard 01:44 Sailing down the wild Borneo coast 02:37 Island anchorage 03:13 Exploring the coast - on the look out for crocs! 05:10 Life in the fishing villages 08:44 Rain catcher 10:53 Tropical squalls and pizza making 12:24 Deserted island life and hermit crab races 13:13 Next week’s disaster teaser ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share THANK YOU!!! #SailingNV #SailingBorneo #OffGridLife

After our haul out in Kudat, we had a long list of maintenance jobs to tackle before setting sail again along the northern coast of Borneo. From repairing our Raymarine autopilot and replacing a leaking fuel deck fill, to turning our bimini into a DIY rainwater catcher — it was a busy but satisfying week aboard! And just when you think Timo’s done with boat work… he turns into a luthier for the day and fixes my violin 🎻 Join us as we get our ex-Vendée Globe Open 66 back in shape and ready for more cruising adventures around Borneo. If you enjoy practical sailing life, refit projects, and off-grid living aboard, you’ll love this one. ⛵ Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:24 Autopilot Repair 09:05 Anchor chain deck access hatch 15:20 Foot pump 22:41 Fuel Deck Fill Replacement 24:10 Rain Catcher 29:13 Timo the Luthier 🔔 Subscribe to follow our journey sailing around the world as a family aboard our ex-race boat turned liveaboard cruiser! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share THANK YOU!!! #SailingNV #BoatMaintenance #SailingFamily

After six weeks on the hard stand replacing our old 39 hp Volvo, Sailing NV is finally back in the water! In this episode, we take our freshly refitted ex-Vendée Globe racer out for her first engine sea trial — testing our brand-new Nanni N4.65 and fine-tuning the propeller pitch on our J-Prop. We share what we’ve learned about finding the perfect balance between revs, speed, and fuel efficiency, and explain what happens when your prop pitch is too high or too low. After years of coaxing an ageing diesel, hearing this new engine hum is a dream come true — and the freedom to finally move again feels incredible. Stay with us as we continue exploring the wild coasts of Borneo, testing and learning in real-world conditions, and getting back to what we love most: sailing, family, and life on the water. ⚓ Watch till the end for our speed results — and a glimpse of some well-earned family time on the beach. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When tuning (matching) the propeller to the engine, there are several factors that come into play. Let’s start with the engine sizing — the engine can be: - Undersized - Properly sized - Oversized Undersized Engine: The propeller pitch must allow the engine to reach its full RPM. Otherwise, in difficult conditions, the engine might not be able to reach its torque curve — meaning it won’t provide enough thrust, which could result in low speed or even no thrust at all in strong wind or rough seas. Properly Sized Engine: In this case, you can choose a propeller pitch that causes the engine, at full throttle, to lose about 5–10% of its maximum RPM. This allows for a higher cruising speed compared to letting it reach full RPM. The key point is that the engine must still be able to reach its torque curve in challenging conditions to avoid dangerous situations. Oversized Engine: With an oversized engine, there’s more flexibility in propeller pitch without the risks mentioned above. However, if the pitch is too large, even if the engine’s performance isn’t affected, the boat may reach a high speed even at idle. General Notes: There are, of course, many cases in between. Using common sense — such as keeping the throttle 100–200 RPM below the point where the engine starts to smoke — is always a good idea. A slightly larger propeller pitch can also improve maneuverability during docking. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share THANK YOU!!! #SailingRefit #EngineSeaTrial #SailingFamily

After six weeks on land, it’s finally relaunch day! In this episode, we get our Open 66 back in the water after completing the biggest upgrade of our refit — installing a brand-new Nanni engine. This moment marks a huge milestone in transforming our ex-Vendée Globe race boat into a fast family cruiser. From painting the last layer of antifoul and adding our Patrons’ names to the hull, to that first quiet start-up of the new engine — this day means everything. With our new Nanni purring softly below deck, we finally motor off into the sunset — back where we belong. ⚓ Watch the full Engine Refit Series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdG7hVnYt74&list=PL2qAIN9cA-VOlLR1B_79ELAUbG2q3BlSr 🎨 Support the project: Join our amazing community on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV Or buy us a coffee on Ko-fi → https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv 🛠 About our boat: We’re refitting an ex-Vendée Globe Open 66 into a fast, functional family cruiser — sharing the highs, lows, and lessons of life aboard. 📺 Subscribe to follow the full refit & sailing adventure 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sailingnv 🐾 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/joanna.s.hutchinson #SailingNV #BoatRefit #BoatRelaunch

In this video, we walk through the installation of our unique J Propeller using the new parts J Prop sent back to fit our new ZF saildrive. Our J Prop is built for adaptability and longevity: - The outer body is made in three parts, so it can always be re-machined in the future to remove wear and ensure no play. - The interior part can be modified to fit other saildrives or gearboxes. From the cylindrical spacer to fully greasing and securing the prop, we cover all the small but essential details that make a big difference for this prop install. 💡 Learn more about the special features of our J Prop in our previous video: https://youtu.be/uZ2-jJDYUFI?si=GNjEJzkwzEw9TSKc At the end, we also show a special moment: painting all our Patreon supporters’ names on the hull with antifoul — your support literally sails with us! We also have two new behind-the-scenes videos on our Patreon: - Propeller pitch experiment: See how changing the pitch can save fuel, improve performance, and even affect cargo ship efficiency. - DIY saildrive seal: Timo builds a custom saildrive seal out of a rubber shoe 😄, a clever little DIY fix. You can find them here www.patreon.com/sailingnv ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want to know more feel free to get in contact with us (at sailingnv@gmail.com) or directly with marine propeller https://www.marinepropeller.it/en/ THANK YOU!!! #SailboatRefit #BoatPropeller #MarineEngineering

👉 First Start & Running Test — Will She Fire? After months of refit, today’s the moment — the final fittings, last bolts, and our first push of the start button. Will she fire? In this episode, we install the last components needed to bring our new Nanni N4.65 to life aboard our ex-Vendée Globe Open 66 — our family home and ocean racer turned cruiser. From connecting the control panel and gear lever, to bleeding the fuel system and prepping the exhaust, it’s the final stretch before that satisfying first rumble. We’ll show how we: ⚙️ Completed the fuel, cooling, and electrical systems 🧰 Installed the Racor filter with quick-change valves 🌊 Set up the raw-water cooling and siphon break 🔋 Connected batteries, control panel & gear lever 🔥 Filled and bled the diesel circuit before the first start It’s the most nerve-wracking (and exciting) moment of any repower — and a huge milestone in getting NV back in the water. 📍 Filmed in northern Borneo, where we’re refitting our Open 66 into a fast, off-grid family cruiser. If you enjoy deep-dive refit videos and honest DIY boat life, subscribe and join us every Sunday for new episodes. 🎬 Watch the full repower from the beginning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdG7hVnYt74&list=PL2qAIN9cA-VOlLR1B_79ELAUbG2q3BlSr ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share #BoatRefit #EngineStart #SailingNV

Practical secrets from our repower: pipe sizing, waterlocks, siphon loops and a custom thru-hull so your engine breathes and stays safe at sea. Want your engine to breathe — not choke? In this episode, we tackle one of the trickiest parts of our repower: upgrading the exhaust system on our Open 66. From enlarging bulkhead holes to fitting a larger waterlock, creating a proper siphon loop, and building and installing a custom carbon fibre thru-hull, we show all the secrets we learned to reduce back pressure, keep seawater out, and make the new Nanni engine perform safely and efficiently. We cover: - Planning the exhaust route and enlarging bulkheads - Increasing pipe diameter and installing adapters - Proper waterlock positioning and siphon loop setup - Fabricating a structural carbon fibre thru-hull If you’re planning a marine exhaust upgrade or just love boat refit projects, this is for you! 👍 Like this video? Subscribe to Sailing NV for more repower, refit, and sailing adventures around the world. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share #SailingNV #ExhaustUpgrade #Repower

No Room for Error: Getting the New Engine On Board Today’s mission: get ~300 kg of Nanni N4.65 from the dock → cockpit → perfectly aligned in the engine bay—without breaking anything… including us. We use a crane to lift it into the cockpit onto a trolley and wheel it across the cockpit to the companionway. Next we rig a beam and chain block, lash Spectra, add a forward-pull pulley off the mast-base padeyes, and inch the engine through the companionway with millimetres to spare. Liveaboard refit life adds its own flavour—quiet(ish) mornings while Nemo’s at school, joyful chaos when he’s home ;) Archimedes moments, spline alignment, and the most satisfying words of the day: “Daddy did it!” You can watch the whole engine repower serires here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdG7hVnYt74&list=PL2qAIN9cA-VOlLR1B_79ELAUbG2q3BlSr Got questions about the N4.65 or the ZF SD-12? Drop them here 👇 Next week: the real install—Timo wires in the Nanni upgrades and we go for first start. Tune in to hear her roar!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share #SailingNV #BoatRefit #Nannidisel

We’re hauled out in northern Borneo to kick off our repower. The old engine is out, the new bed is in—today we start the install with the ZF SD-12 saildrive before bringing our Nanni N4.65 aboard. In this episode: Why we had to separate the saildrive (tiny engine room!) and lower the upper unit using a roof pad-eye.Catching the splined coupling sleeve and protecting the diaphragm and a star-pattern, stepped torque on the clamp-ring bolts for even compression. What we like about the SD-12: solid build, double-seal diaphragm, service tube for in-boat oil changes Plus a little insight into our family life here in the sleepy fishing town of Kudat. Next up: the 300+ kg engine comes aboard and we line it up, then the prop install—stick with us! 📩 Questions about our setup? Drop them in the comments we always love to hear from you :) Safety note: always follow your engine/saildrive manual for torque specs and procedures. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share #SailingNV #BoatRefit #SaildriveInstall

Last week we cut out the old engine bed and compared it with the new one — this week, it’s time for one of the most critical steps of our refit: installing the new carbon fibre engine bed for our bigger Nanni. Getting this right is essential. The bed has to be cut precisely to fit around the bulkheads without losing strength, then laminated in carbon fibre to carry the weight of the engine for years to come. With such a tight engine room, even the smallest error could make fitting the engine a serious challenge. Follow along as Timo works through the measuring, cutting, and laminating — and see the finished result of this crucial foundation for our refit. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share #boatrefit #sailingfamily #nannidiesel

This week we tackle the dirtiest — and most critical — stage of our engine install. With the engine finally out, Timo gets to work in the engine room: first tidying the spaghetti junction of cables so everything can come off the walls for painting later, and then cutting out the old engine bed. It’s tough, dusty work — with a few surprises along the way, including water trapped inside the old bed and supports left over from the boat’s racing days. To keep the dust down, Timo even sprays soapy water as he cuts. Meanwhile, the kids and I escape to a hotel while the worst of the grinding takes place — and of course, it all happens right around the captain’s birthday. By the end, the old engine bed is out, and we get our first side-by-side look at the old and new foundations. Next week: the real challenge begins as we prepare to laminate the new one into place. Come along for this messy, noisy, but vital step in turning our ex-Vendée Globe racer into a strong, fast family cruiser. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you'd like to support us on Patreon, our website https://www.patreon.com/SailingNV or with a one-off donation via https://ko-fi.com/sailingnv or paypal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/sailingnv or if you'd like to help us buy something we need, you can check out our amazon wish list https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1G2NJ0EGJLKR0?ref_=wl_share #sailingfamily #boatrefit #offgridliving