Hazard spot
Karpathos Strait
The meltemi accelerates between the islands and regularly reaches gale force in high summer. The leg east then becomes a test of patience.
- Cause
- Strong katabatic winds
- Main season
- July to August
- Position
- 35° 42,0' N 027° 06,0' E
On the map
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How the place works
The meltemi accelerates between Crete, Karpathos and Rhodes and regularly reaches gale force in high summer while it is still calm twenty miles further west. The nozzle stands for days, and the sea turns steep over the short fetch between the islands.
What breaks there
Anyone heading from Rhodes to Crete goes to windward and collects damage to sails, furling gear and fittings. Boats anchored in the bays on the north sides drag, and berthing in the small harbours regularly goes wrong with the wind on the beam.
What this means for your policy
Before the trip, settle how your policy treats sail damage and whether there is a wind force limit above which putting to sea counts as gross negligence. In high summer that limit is often reached here.
Read this in fullCruising range
This spot lies in the cruising range the calculator lists under this step: + Mediterranean
Calculate a premium for this cruising range
