Sailing Zephyr IVvideo

Oh No! We Missed the Tide at Birdham Pool

August 14, 2024 · 6 min · 3K views · Chichester Harbour

What this video covers

Dave and Bill navigate Zephyr IV from Portsmouth through the submarine barrier gap near Horse Sands Fort toward the entrance of Chichester Harbour.0:43 The crew motors initially in light wind before unfurling the Genoa to sail the final approach, aided by a favorable tide.2:00 They enter the harbour and proceed to Birdham Pool, the oldest marina in the United Kingdom, which features 290 berths and requires passage through a lock.3:57 The crew maneuvers Zephyr IV into a narrow berth between four piles, a technique Dave finds more difficult than anticipated.4:21 Because they fail to depart before the tide drops, the boat becomes trapped behind the lock sill until the following afternoon.4:48 The crew spends the wait observing local wildlife and wooden boats before locking out to sail back toward the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth Harbour.4:59 Timing departure from tidal marinas with sill restrictions is essential to avoid being trapped by receding water levels.

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Boats in this video

Westerly Yachts Ltd. Oceanquest 35Their boat

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