Charter Basics
Wind and Weather When Sailing — The Basics
The Beaufort Scale
0–3 Bft: light to gentle wind, ideal for beginners. 4–5 Bft: fresh wind, brisk sailing. 6+ Bft: strong wind, for experienced crews and with reefed sails.
Key Local Winds
- Meltemi (Aegean, summer): strong northerly wind, often 5–7 Bft
- Maestral (Adriatic, summer): reliable afternoon wind, 3–5 Bft
- Bora (Adriatic, winter half-year): gusty downslope wind, can become very strong
Weather Apps for Charter
Windy, PredictWind and the local coast guard's marine forecasts should be checked daily before setting off.
Frequently asked questions
What wind strength is still comfortable for sailing beginners?
Up to about 4 Beaufort (11–16 knots) is considered comfortable and well manageable for less experienced sailors.
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