More Than a Yacht Ride: The Heartwarming Story Behind a Herzliya Marina Adventure

The word “yacht” alone can make you think of the wealthiest people in society. Whenever I had visited Herzliya Marina in the past, the most extravagant activity I imagined for someone like me was eating at one of the restaurants. Yachts? What did they have to do with me?

Until now, we would stroll around the marina, admire the yachts, glimpse what seemed like another world inhabited by people with far more money than we had, and then head home. I had also filed Herzliya Marina away under another stereotype: wealthy, disconnected people living in their own bubble.

It turns out I was wrong on both counts. A yacht trip can actually be an affordable family experience, and there can be an extraordinary amount of kindness and holiness in a place where you might least expect to find it. Just ask Chezi Dayan, owner of the SEA 4 YOU yacht, who quietly runs an inspiring operation of kindness from his boat against the backdrop of one of Israel’s most glamorous marinas.

The Real Story Began Long Before We Stepped Aboard

“At the beginning of the war that broke out on Simchat Torah, my two oldest sons were called up on October 7,” Chezi recalls. “Given the situation, I immediately understood that I probably wouldn’t have an income for a while. After the first days of shock, I decided to invite soldiers to come out on the water and clear their heads after all the horrors they had witnessed in the Gaza border communities.”

Chezi posted his offer on social media, inviting soldiers aboard for a peaceful sailing experience. The response was overwhelming. “I received hundreds of requests from soldiers who wanted a chance to unwind from the pressures of the war, experience the open sea, and find a little peace before returning for another difficult round of fighting,” he says.

At first, Chezi tried to handle the demand himself. It quickly became clear that one yacht and one skipper would not be enough, so he reached out to other yacht owners at Herzliya Marina and asked them to join him.

Nine Months Without Work, but Filled With Giving

Over the first nine months of the war, 57 yachts took approximately 3,850 soldiers out to sea. As Chezi spoke with the soldiers, however, he realized that many needed more than a relaxing afternoon. There was a profound need for emotional support and rehabilitation. That realization led him to establish a nonprofit devoted to therapy, rehabilitation, and education in a marine environment.

“I connected with other good people who are also skippers,” he explains. “Therapists joined us as well, and together we established an organization focused on treatment, rehabilitation, and education. Everything takes place in the marine environment.”

Soldiers are not the only guests who come aboard. Bereaved families, soldiers’ wives, and their children are also invited to enjoy activities designed to offer a brief respite from the pressures and difficulties of everyday life. “I want to give them as much peace as possible from what the sea and its tranquility can offer,” Chezi says.

Chezi Dayan

A Family Sailing Experience With a Difference

Chezi tells us all this while we are sailing aboard his yacht. He speaks gently and naturally, almost like a professional tour guide, pointing out different parts of the marina and sharing interesting details about the yachts and other vessels around us.

What stood out most was the warm, personal attention he gave the children. He let them try steering the yacht and made sure they felt like genuine participants in the adventure. Surprisingly, we did not even need the music he offered to play. The sound of the waves, the breeze, and the unusual view of Herzliya from the sea created their own atmosphere.

Everyone was smiling, not only because of the beautiful sailing experience, but because of Chezi’s generous spirit.

"I decided that I would call on the soldiers to come and clear their heads after all the horrors they saw in the Gaza Envelope" (Chezi and the soldiers on leave)

The Yacht That Keeps Shabbat

As we sailed, Chezi shared that seven years ago, he decided that his yacht would no longer sail on Shabbat.

Two signs displayed on board proudly announce that this is a “Shabbat-observant yacht.” “This is the only yacht in the marina that keeps Shabbat,” he tells us, with unmistakable pride.

Once the yacht travels far enough from the marina, there is also the possibility of stopping for a refreshing dip in the water, with life jackets, flotation equipment, and full adherence to safety guidelines.

We were also surprised to discover that this yacht is used for much more than private family outings. It sails internationally and, when circumstances demand it, has even participated in national rescue efforts, helping Jews who were unable to fly back to Israel during emergency operations.

That revelation seemed to capture something about the entire experience. From the outside, a yacht can look like the ultimate symbol of luxury. But in Chezi’s hands, it has also become a vehicle for giving, comforting, helping, and bringing people home.

Finding Heart Between the Waves

We came for a boat ride. We returned with happy children, sea air in our lungs, a remarkable sense of calm, and a reminder that some of the best surprises are waiting in places we never thought to look.

Chezi welcomes his guests calmly, explains everything patiently, allows the children to become part of the experience, and creates a warm, relaxed family atmosphere.

Somewhere between the waves and the sea breeze, we discovered something unexpected: there is a lot of heart out on the water.