Sailing Zephyr IV · video

What this video covers

Dave, 76, sails the Westerly Yachts Ltd. Oceanquest 35 Zephyr IV from Portsmouth to Chichester Harbour in mid-September with crew Bill, a friend from their shared gliding days at Lee-on-Solent.Watch The primary purpose of the Chichester leg is a haulout at Burden Pool Marina, which is accessible only a few hours either side of high water and requires entering via a lock — the boat is pressure-washed and returned to the water before the tide drops.0:31 Returning to Portsmouth in light air of six to seven knots, the wind dies entirely and they motor home.0:59 A second trip heads west along the Solent: 16–19 knots of breeze pushes Zephyr IV to 6.2–6.3 knots.1:58 They anchor in Newtown Creek in nine feet of water near a resident seal, then motor almost to Hurst Castle before a gentle northerly allows Dave to set the asymmetrical spinnaker.3:30 The passage continues to a mooring at Castle Cove Sailing Club.5:30 Bill navigates using both paper chart and chart plotter; a GoPro mounts to the pushpit.5:34 The autopilot steers the return leg to Gosport.6:20 Dave closes by noting this is the final segment of Zephyr IV's first year, with winter layup work planned.12:08

Boats in this video

More from Sailing Zephyr IV

Day in the Life of a Solo Sailor at 82 : Cowes to PooleJul 2026Boat Toilet Not Working? I Replaced the Jabsco Pump at 82!Jul 2026Ultrasonic Anti-Fouling Test: Will the Seaflo System Deliver?Jun 2026Can You Pick Up a Mooring Alone? Here's HowJun 2026

From Sailing Zephyr IV — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.