Sailing Zephyr IV · video

What this video covers

Zephyr IV transits from Portland Harbour to Gosport, a passage requiring careful tidal management and wind forecasting. The solo sailor departs at 05:20 to catch a favorable tide and avoid shifting winds near St Albans Race. Using PredictWind, the crew anticipates a wind shift from northerly to southeasterly, which necessitates a mid-passage tack to maintain a course toward the Needles. While the autopilot handles steering, the vessel encounters a foul tide near the Needles channel, forcing the crew to navigate close inshore near Hurst Castle to find slack water and eddies. This tactic allows the boat to maintain progress against the current, though it requires careful depth monitoring to avoid shallow banks where other vessels frequently run aground. The final leg involves crossing the Solent and navigating the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour in lumpy conditions caused by an easterly wind. The passage concludes with a return to Royal Clarence Marina, where the crew avoids mudflats near the entrance at low tide.

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