Family vlog shows haul-out prep and dinghy lessons in New Zealand

Sailing Machete released Episode 82 on January 9, 2026, and the family vlog captured a slice of cruising life in the Bay of Islands while laying out the practical rhythms of preparing for a haul-out. The piece is not a technical how-to, but it delivers clear examples of everyday maintenance planning, provisioning for yard time, and hands-on dinghy skills that other cruising families can adapt.

The episode opens with cruising shots and sequences of children learning dinghy-handling basics, then pivots to provisioning and preparing the boat for a haul-out. Those moments underline two common realities of family cruising: routine boat maintenance is a group activity, and haul-outs are logistical pivots that require advance planning. Viewers get a sense of timing and task flow rather than step-by-step instructions, which makes the episode valuable as a planning reference for families balancing kids, gear, and yard schedules.

For DIY sailors, the practical takeaways are straightforward. Plan the haul-out window well ahead to reserve slot availability in busy yards, and provision for time ashore by stocking nonperishables, spare bits, and tools you will need while the boat is on the hard. Treat yard time like a mini project: chunk tasks into weather-dependent and workshop tasks, and expect to coordinate with yard staff for block placement and mast services. The family-centered footage shows how parents assign simple responsibilities to younger crew, turning routine maintenance into teachable moments while keeping safety front and center.

Dinghy-handling sequences are especially useful for families. Small-boat skills cut down on stress ashore and make provisioning runs, waste disposal, and transport to the yard smoother. The video models patient instruction and scaled tasks so kids can learn seamanship without being sidelined. For crews planning a refit or seasonal haul-out, that emphasis on progressive responsibility reduces the workload and builds competence for future passages.

Episode 82 also reinforces the softer logistics: stagger tasks so one adult can manage shore errands while another oversees hull checks, and keep a rolling inventory of consumables and spare parts to avoid last-minute runs to the chandler. The vlog’s approach to routine maintenance and family workflow offers a realistic template for crews who want to keep projects manageable without losing cruising time.

The takeaway? Treat haul-outs as a family shakedown. Plan the slot, provision for yard life, teach dinghy skills early, and break the work into bite-sized chores so everyone participates without getting swamped. Our two cents? Start checklisting now, assign one meaningful task per family member, and you’ll come off the blocks with less varnish drama and more time to enjoy the next tide.