The Meltemi

[davidbains]

The only time I sailed across the Aegean, in 1980 no less, we spent three days
anchored south of Mykonos while a force ten tried to blow us to Libya.
Would any more recent cruisers of the region the Ancients avoided in
July/August care to comment on it's suitability for family cruising?!

 

[Roberto]

Hello David,

had the same experience, first time with a racing crew and a decent boat went closehauled for half a day with 45/50kt, trysail (first and hopefully last time I ever saw it) and storm jib, lots of fun one says later on.
Some years later much less crew strength and a much smaller boat, after Sounion the usual hell for a few days.
We soon found that sailing at night was the best option. If at sunset those huge fans have been turned off then it is usually safe to sail, eer motor until a few hours after dawn, unfortunately no wind at all but it allows you to change place and visit something else.
It may not be easy for a family, but if you choose your cruising ground then you can put a few islands within some hours of sailing; unfortunately if meltemi lasts for 2/3 days there are not many options but staying in the same place..

Another option is to choose the Egina, Poros, Spetses, Hydra etc islands, wind is usually lighter(!?), the peloponnesus is near with epidaurus, mikenes etc.. great hystorical sites with beautiful traditional greek sailing, villages, etc. usually very appreciated by families

 

[davidbains]

Thanks for your comments Roberto.
This sailing at night sounds good, especially with a young family crew
who I realise now would rather not sail all day when they could be anchored
off a swimming beach!
I am based at Preveza for five years now, we have circumnavigated the
Peloponnese twice (anticlockwise the best way), pottered in the Ionian
and last year cruised Croatia which scenically was wonderful, but the weather
did not co-operate! Sounds familiar!
Basically, the Sporades and the Aegean beckon, BUT like most family cruisers
I am locked into school holidays. I've also cruised the Gulf of Patras/Corinth
and usually found a fresh easterly at Rhion/Antirhion. There is a bay just
west of the narrows if you need it!
Anyone else care to comment?!

 

[HenryB]

I agree entirely with Roberto, the winds are normally much lighter in the Saronic gulf, and at night. We spent 2001 in the Aegean and returned home during the normally windy months of July and August but still suffered seriously strong winds in May, June, September and October. We were stuck in Patmos for 12 days while the wind blew 8 to 10 day and night - and that was October!
The Halkidiki area is another that seems to have less wind than the rest of the Aegean. We found it delightful in June and September. Fabulous sandy beaches and pine covered shores and few other yachts. We plan to move back at the end of this season.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Hello At first glance seems a very good idea to sail at night , untill you realise that the ferries and cargo ship, do not even think about rules of the road in daylight,. so god help you at night in the Aegean. And the coastguard customs will stop you and check your papers to see if smuggling people dope ect
I do not know what size or type of boat you have ,but we as a family have had three seasons in the Aegean .The first season spent most of the time in the Saronic and eastern Peloponnisos. With a few trips over to Kea / Kithnos . As we got braver / dafter we ventured further afield untill now we go all over we do not mind going out in F5/6 in fact given the choice between sitting on a beach or sailing in moderate weather we sail .if you plan there is always somewhere to hide /shelter This summer we had the most splended sail From Sifnos to Poros 35kts of wind big seas then the dolphin started to surf the waves about three meters above the port rail .bloody wonderful.Honestly don`t have to many fears It is not as bad as stated , or at least we do not think so YET. The worst trip we have had was sailing down from Gaios to Prevasa we were running at 8.5 kts with a tiny bit of head sail and the windex was showing 54 kts gusting 59 . I Know what the hell were we doing trying get to Prevasa in a NW gale Geting up the canal was the most worying thing I have done Anyway if you only want to get to Turkey there will be lots of days when the sailing will be easy .I sail with my wife and two daughters aged 9 /10
Cheers bob t



boss1

 

[davidbains]

Thanks boss, believe it or not I sail a 40ft tri with my wife and 11yr old daughter.
I hasten to add it's a cruiser tri, I know you don't see too many nowadays.
I agree F6 is acceptable off the wind as long as the waves aren't feeling the bottom.
And dolphins can make me feel nervous, "when the sea hog jumps, look to your pumps".
Your tale of running from Gaios to Preveza in 50kts makes me wonder if you had a
plane to catch. Smelly Preveza is hardly a tropical paradise and I've found the
port police lacking in humour. However the strongest winds we've ever experienced
were 61kts under a thunderstorm, fortunately we were tied to the wall in Levkas.
I was waiting for the warps to snap!!
Where does your boat winter, and where will you be next summer after the war?
I am planning pottering in the Ionian with pre-teen crew! After more painting in
Preveza marine!
My fingers and toes are complaining of the cold in Brighton, and I'm only ten feet
from a radiator!!

 

[Mr Cassandra]

hi you are right ,it was to catch the plane only thing was ,I had missed a day in calcalations so I/ we, risked all .a day early . it was a thursday not friday i think about 3 years ago . one of the biggest summer gale to hit the Ionion for years .
Cannot say where the boat is mored in winter for obvious reasons , but will use Poros ,with Billskip, in the summer as a base ,If his old tub has not sank by then!
We have lots of GOOD friends there to help and welcome you.
cheers bob t

boss1

 

[davidbains]

Boss, do you tie up to the wall in Poros during the summer. I've passed through
twice but continued to anchor further west off one of the beaches, there's a bus
back to town and a supermarket hidden in the trees behind the beach.
And I believe there was a boatyard opposite the town, can one be lifted for the winter there??

 

[Mr Cassandra]

Hi
Yes we do normally outside Remetzo bar on the south quay . well I tie up. I think Billskip has run aground . cheers bob t

boss1