Med weather - this is what it's all about?

[Cardo]

We have arrived in the Med! *Cheer!*

Mast should go up in a few hours, then get everything sorted for sailing again in preparation for our cross over to Spain.

The weather up here, let's say, isn't the friendliest. Constant northerlies through France are creating a lovely torrent of wind through the gulf of Leon (I think that's what it's called?) so we're staying put until that calms down.

The latest grib files suggest the wind should die down around Sunday afternoon. And when I say die down, they are going down to pretty much nothing. And then that's what we have for the next few days after that.

So, from winds of 20kts gusting 30kts to a couple of knots at best!

I guess we'll be motoring over to Spain, then!

 

[ribrage]

well done

We have arrived in the Med! *Cheer!*

Mast should go up in a few hours, then get everything sorted for sailing again in preparation for our cross over to Spain.

The weather up here, let's say, isn't the friendliest. Constant northerlies through France are creating a lovely torrent of wind through the gulf of Leon (I think that's what it's called?) so we're staying put until that calms down.

The latest grib files suggest the wind should die down around Sunday afternoon. And when I say die down, they are going down to pretty much nothing. And then that's what we have for the next few days after that.

So, from winds of 20kts gusting 30kts to a couple of knots at best!

I guess we'll be motoring over to Spain, then!

We' ll be taking the more leisurely approach and proceeding around the long way , enjoy .

 

[Mrnotming]

Selva is a tempting stopover, and I have anchored there for days on end!Sort of mid- Cap Creus area after say Colliure.
But beware sudden winds from the east.maybe called Tramontana or similar there.If caught unawares amogst others dragging anchors, there is a spot under the crane in the fishing harbour.You'll get a b*****ing from the fishermen but you, your crew and your boat will survive.Very little space in the shelter.Tramontana is felt in Roses and in Empuriabrava as well, but as Empuriabrava is inland mostly, its only the wind effects that lead to bad temper and frustration after a few days of battering!
Never seen as much Mistral as this year, kind of permanent leak from somewhere!
Golf du Leon= gulf of Lions, so beware of a mauling!

 

[Steve C Cronin]

We're geting similar at the other end of the Med!

We are currently in Messolonghi where we are experiencing carbon copy consecutive daily wind occurrences. Day starts flat calm and stays so until around 5.30pm when they turn the fan on. This blows strongly (F5-6) but gustily until around 9.00pm then they turn it off. Usually in this area at this time of year the wind gets up around 12noon, blows gently at F3-4 and dies down for the evening. Very odd.

 

[BurnitBlue]

according to Meteo levkas is F5 day and night Friday 27th through to Saturday

 

[westernman]

We have arrived in the Med! *Cheer!*

Mast should go up in a few hours, then get everything sorted for sailing again in preparation for our cross over to Spain.

The weather up here, let's say, isn't the friendliest. Constant northerlies through France are creating a lovely torrent of wind through the gulf of Leon (I think that's what it's called?) so we're staying put until that calms down.

The latest grib files suggest the wind should die down around Sunday afternoon. And when I say die down, they are going down to pretty much nothing. And then that's what we have for the next few days after that.

So, from winds of 20kts gusting 30kts to a couple of knots at best!

I guess we'll be motoring over to Spain, then!

I don't know exactly where you are, but down our way (Port Leucate - France's most windy location), with the wind from the NW (as it is at the moment), the sea will be pretty flat.

So great weather for a fast comfortable sail down to Spain - just put in enough reefs.

I have done that run in F8 - I left the port in F8 and knew exactly what I was getting - 4 knots under bare poles, 7-8 knots with just the staysail. MIL cooked lunch while we were passing Cabo Greus!

What is really nasty is when the wind is from the SE. That comes with big seas which makes a hurricane in the Pacific look calm.

 

[scruff]

If you have 20kts gusting 30kts from the North, and you are heading South west; isn't that perfect for your needs. A nice fast sail to Spain? If you do it under genoa alone will be fast and stress free.

 

[Cardo]

We are here
https://www.google.com/maps?q=Port+...ovence-Alpes-Côte+d'Azur,+France&z=11&iwloc=A
We're planning to go somewhere on the North-East coast of Spain.
Winds are NW around 20/25 gusting 30+

Mrs and I have sailed in this in the Solent with no issues, but this area is unfamiliar to me. Main concern is lumpy seas. Wind is easy to control with reefs, but lumpy seas are horrid.
Do you guys reckon things should be manageable?

 

[westernman]

We are here
https://www.google.com/maps?q=Port+...ovence-Alpes-Côte+d'Azur,+France&z=11&iwloc=A
We're planning to go somewhere on the North-East coast of Spain.
Winds are NW around 20/25 gusting 30+

Mrs and I have sailed in this in the Solent with no issues, but this area is unfamiliar to me. Main concern is lumpy seas. Wind is easy to control with reefs, but lumpy seas are horrid.
Do you guys reckon things should be manageable?

With the wind from the NW, the sea will be pretty flat.
Leave the main on the boom, furl the genoa and go for it.

You will be surprised at how comfy it is.

Totally different if the wind is from the SE.
In that case, park the boat in a marina and look for a good restaurant.

 

[charles_reed]

We have arrived in the Med! *Cheer!*

Mast should go up in a few hours, then get everything sorted for sailing again in preparation for our cross over to Spain.

The weather up here, let's say, isn't the friendliest. Constant northerlies through France are creating a lovely torrent of wind through the gulf of Leon (I think that's what it's called?) so we're staying put until that calms down.

The latest grib files suggest the wind should die down around Sunday afternoon. And when I say die down, they are going down to pretty much nothing. And then that's what we have for the next few days after that.

So, from winds of 20kts gusting 30kts to a couple of knots at best!

I guess we'll be motoring over to Spain, then!

Gulf of Lions actually - I'd be very careful about transiting it in a mistral, just sit it out if one does develop. However the GRIB suggests the high isn't big enough up the Rhone valley
Why on earth go towards Spain, though, all the decent sailing is in the E Med.
I'm just sitting in Mikonos awaiting the meltemi re-establishing.

Steve, haven't had to refill with diesel (used 25 litres only) since leaving Messolonghi, quite reasonable winds for the last 480nm (I had to go the Kalamata for a replacement alternator - damned Adverc).

 

[Steve C Cronin]

Gulf of Lions actually - I'd be very careful about transiting it in a mistral, just sit it out if one does develop. However the GRIB suggests the high isn't big enough up the Rhone valley
Why on earth go towards Spain, though, all the decent sailing is in the E Med.
I'm just sitting in Mikonos awaiting the meltemi re-establishing.

Steve, haven't had to refill with diesel (used 25 litres only) since leaving Messolonghi, quite reasonable winds for the last 480nm (I had to go the Kalamata for a replacement alternator - damned Adverc).

We spent eight days in Messolonghi both watching the festival and exploring the areas around the town(City?). The winds have been just untypical. Long calms in the mornings with a 2-3 building in the afternoon to around a 6-7 in the evenings till 9.30ish. However today, here in Kalamos we are getting a series of nasty gusts from both NW up to around 30kts and SW around 25kts but with a base NW of around F4. Almost a Meltemi with knobs on!

 

[Cardo]

Gulf of Lions actually - I'd be very careful about transiting it in a mistral, just sit it out if one does develop. However the GRIB suggests the high isn't big enough up the Rhone valley

The wind was picking up and being quite nasty overnight, so we decided to sit it out. Forecasts suggest the wind should die off this afternoon, so off we go!

Why on earth go towards Spain, though, all the decent sailing is in the E Med.

Family obligations! Visiting Mum for a month, then pointing the bow east and heading for Greece!

 

[charles_reed]

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We spent eight days in Messolonghi both watching the festival and exploring the areas around the town(City?). The winds have been just untypical. Long calms in the mornings with a 2-3 building in the afternoon to around a 6-7 in the evenings till 9.30ish. However today, here in Kalamos we are getting a series of nasty gusts from both NW up to around 30kts and SW around 25kts but with a base NW of around F4. Almost a Meltemi with knobs on!

Yes I'd agree about the atypicality of the winds for the time of year - lots of little highs and accompanying lows rushing through the Med basin like bubbles through a torrent from a spilled beer glass. Hell for the metmen to get the forecasts right.