Sailing Zephyr IVvideo

Solo Portland to Portsmouth - horrible night in Chapmans Pool

November 8, 2024 · 20 min · 79K views · Chapman's Pool, Dorset

What this video covers

Zephyr IV, a cruising sailboat, encounters engine cooling issues and heavy swell while transiting from Portland Harbour toward Portsmouth. During the passage, the skipper observes white smoke from the exhaust and an empty raw water strainer, though engine temperatures remain normal.1:13 After failing to clear the race at St. Albans Head against a foul tide, the skipper anchors in Chapman's Pool.5:43 Although initially calm, the anchorage becomes untenable as wind shifts to the south-southwest, causing heavy pitching and shallow water depths that lead the boat to touch bottom.9:08 The skipper manages to haul the anchor by hand after the windlass jams and motors out into 25-knot winds.13:06 The remainder of the passage involves wing-on-wing sailing across the Solent with a favorable tide, reaching speeds of 9 knots over ground before arriving at Clarence Marina in Portsmouth Harbour.17:59 Chapman's Pool provides poor shelter in southerly or southwesterly winds and should be avoided in those conditions.

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Boats in this video

Westerly Yachts Ltd. Oceanquest 35Their boat

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