The mad dash acoss the Aegean

[NornaBiron]

And this was a bit late in the year for the meltemi, 041213. We did head off from Rhodes towards Crete this day but stopped in Alimia to let it all pass.


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hmspVf6CD_w

QUOTE=Borden;4650857]I've just downloaded a GRIB for the Central Aegean. The wind is due to get up on Saturday morning from the NNE starting at 25k and rising to 30k on Sunday & Monday. The GRIB ends on Tuesday morning but even then it's still forecasting 25k. This is a bit early for the Meltimi isn't it?[/QUOTE]

 

[Melody]

Wow! That's some sea, NornaBiron. Is that between Tinos & Mykonos?

I love these videos - next time I try to explain to someone why the Cyclades might not be the best choice of sailing area for them to take their RYA Competent Crew in August I'm just going to send them these links ...

Like Glyka I much prefer this area to the Ionian, which had too many flotillas and crowded bays for my taste.

In fact, if it wasn't that we want people to sail here from a business point of view, I'd be happy to pretend the sea is like that in the videos all the time and all over the Aegean so it stays less crowded

If you have plenty of time, there isn't normally a problem crossing the Aegean but it is possible to get stormbound for a few days (or more) so, as others have said, plan to stop in lots of nice places and don't rush. Keep a really good eye on the barometer and weather forecasts as the wind blows up very quickly.

 

[NornaBiron]

Wow! That's some sea, NornaBiron. Is that between Tinos & Mykonos?.

I think it was off Naxos. We originally thought we'd use the edge of that storm to sail (very quickly) from Rhodes to Crete. Several posts about the storm on another forum soon changed our minds. We were very glad to have internet on board that day!

 

[Melody]

Did it blow up very quickly? It's surprising a ferry would be caught out t in that weather.

I think you're right about it being Naxos - looks familiar.

 

[NornaBiron]

Did it blow up very quickly? It's surprising a ferry would be caught out t in that weather.

I think you're right about it being Naxos - looks familiar.

It was forecast but a bit worse than expected. A member of another forum was on board and alerted us to the sea state. I think the ferry was delayed in each port and was considering not going......the skipper obviously thought it was worth a try. Glad I wasn't on board. The residual seas over the next few days were bad enough!

 

[Artic Warrior]

We arrive in turkey as full time livaboards in 6 days time,,,
our plan is to slowly bob along through the Cyclades this summer,,,,,
After seing the video I might stay in the marina,,,,,,,Lol

 

[NornaBiron]

We arrive in turkey as full time livaboards in 6 days time,,,
our plan is to slowly bob along through the Cyclades this summer,,,,,
After seing the video I might stay in the marina,,,,,,,Lol

The video was made in December and was far from normal weather conditions. Enjoy the Cyclades, my advice would be to head north at the beginning of the season.

 

[Artic Warrior]

The video was made in December and was far from normal weather conditions. Enjoy the Cyclades, my advice would be to head north at the beginning of the season.

Hi, Yeah we will you the visa 90 days to travel north up the Turkish coast then trundle across the Cyclades,
maybe enjoy some sparados when its quieter at the end of the season,

 

[daveg45]

Thanks for all the input on this thread which is much appreciated. We are now on Kea and trying to decide whether to continue north up the Evia Channel or go East across the Cyclades. The prospect of north seems hard work agains prevailing winds or using the engine more than I would like.

 

[V1701]

Useful weather site:

http://poseidon.hcmr.gr/sailing_forecast.php?area_id=saeg

Interesting thread for me to read as well, only bought my boat there last year, based in Porto Heli...

 

[daveg45]

Yes not a bad website V1701. I find http://meteo.gr/m/sailmobile.cfm quite useful too.

 

[Roberto]

Bora's in Croatia.

I would not tempt the fate

 

[NornaBiron]

Useful weather site:

http://poseidon.hcmr.gr/sailing_forecast.php?area_id=saeg.

Just be aware that every now and then the site goes down for a few weeks.

 

[DaveRo]

Just be aware that every now and then the site goes down for a few weeks.

And when it's not down it's sometimes more than 24hrs old. Check that it shows 5 days of forecasts; if not it wasn't updated last night.

 

[daveg45]

Can anyone tell me how we can visit Delos. Is a visa still required for the island?

 

[NornaBiron]

Can anyone tell me how we can visit Delos. Is a visa still required for the island?

We anchored outside and dinghied in. No visa required. We were there out of season though.

 

[daveg45]

Thanks NornaBiron. Yes we did the same as you. I misread the 'Bibble' which mentions something about anchoring there until 1500 hrs but we were told by the staff on Delos we were ok until sunset.

 

[vyv_cox]

No mad dashing needed at the moment. A depression is sitting right on top of the Cyclades. In the centre, we are south of Naxos, there is very little wind. Poseidon shows blue all around us for many miles. Further out there is wind, in Samos sea for example, but not a lot here until Monday.

 

[Melody]

Yes not a bad website V1701. I find http://meteo.gr/m/sailmobile.cfm quite useful too.

Yes, I'd use meteo over Poseidon any day for accuracy.

 

[daveg45]

But if you want to scare yourself stupid dowload the meteo consult marine app for ipad!

I find meteo.gr, poseidon and the old faithful, windguru seems to give a good overview of what you can expect.