Vie d'écumevideo

Solo sailing — Anchoring in a deserted cove

April 5, 2026 · 24 min · 2K views · Guadeloupe

Sailboat under full sail on open sea near green coast

What this video covers

A solo sailor aboard a Beneteau Oceanis 440 navigates coastal waters in Guadeloupe, attempting a departure from an anchorage under sail alone to avoid using the engine.0:39 During the transit, the sailor encounters fluctuating winds ranging from 9 to 27 knots, necessitating frequent adjustments to the mainsail and genoa. The vessel reaches speeds of up to 8 knots, but the autopilot struggles to maintain a steady course in the gusty conditions, forcing the sailor to hand-steer. The route requires navigating through a field of fishing buoys and nets, which the sailor identifies as a significant hazard in the coastal shallows. Upon reaching the destination, the sailor anchors in a sandy-bottomed cove in 7 to 9 meters of water, noting that the area is more crowded than during a previous visit three years prior. The sailor plans to remain at anchor to perform maintenance, including cleaning the hull with a spatula to preserve the remaining antifouling and troubleshooting the boat's freezer wiring.

Watch on YouTube

Boats in this video

Beneteau Oceanis 440Their boat

More from Vie d'écume

Plans have changed, we're doing the Spanish coast, Toulon will have to waitAug 2026Watch out for the orcas of Gibraltar, I'm staying on guardAug 2026Working at the top of the mast, Titouan vlogging at a height of 20 meters 😨May 2026DRAMA in the middle of the transatlantic return, when the ocean shows you that you are nothingMay 2026

From Vie d'écume — 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.

Report an issue