Sarakawavideo
Greece, Crete, Force 7 close-hauled #010
4 October 2025 · 32 min · 14K views · East coast of Crete
What this video covers
A Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i transits the coast of Crete and the surrounding Aegean islands, navigating challenging Meltemi winds and heavy seas. During a 50-nautical-mile passage from the island of Kasos, the skipper encounters sustained winds of 30 knots and steep waves, necessitating a triple-reefed mainsail and a double-reefed genoa.1:04 The vessel maintains a close-hauled point of sail, often heeling at 30 degrees while managing significant wind-over-tide conditions.5:30 The skipper prioritises sailing over motoring to maintain speed and avoid the high fuel consumption and inefficiency of punching into head seas.12:59 Strategic route planning involves choosing anchorages based on wind forecasts to avoid predicted 54-knot gusts, even when those routes require longer, more exposed passages.12:19 The journey includes navigating around Cape Maleas, where the skipper stays three miles offshore to avoid Venturi-effect wind accelerations.27:14 The passage concludes with the vessel arriving at a boatyard for a scheduled haul-out in early October.30:20 Proper reefing and choosing a wider berth around headlands significantly reduce the physical strain on the rig and crew during high-wind passages.
Boats in this video
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