Meltemi, Classic blue water ketchRef. CP120

In its little more than twenty years of activity (1961-1984) the Carabela Shipyard, founded by Nick Kanyeres and with Pepe Medina as a partner, built some 115 boats of different lengths. Initially, they were small boats, but towards the end of its activity, it built different models of between 43 and 58 feet, reaching up to 74 feet. Carabela was characterised from the very beginning by the use of the most modern techniques of the time, tongue and groove planks at the beginning, with glued bulwarks and caulked topsides and cold moulded wood towards the end, even using the West System in his last boats. It is said that in some cases he even fibreglassed his hulls, as a measure to make them totally watertight, but this is not proven and seems contradictory with respect to the constant refusal of Kanyeres and Medina to switch to fibreglass production, to the point of closing the shipyard, precisely because they did not want to take this step.
Towards the mid-1970s, Carabela began to build a series of large ships based on designs by its usual suppliers: Sparkman & Stephens (Carabela was one of the few shipyards recommended by the demanding American firm) and Holman & Pye, mainly. The difference between the two firms lay in the price of their designs, which could be almost double. Don Pye built four units of the Corsair 47 and one of the Corsair 58, the Meltemi. Both models, somewhat modified, were later continued in fibreglass production by the British shipyard Bowman. The request for the Meltemi was for a fast, spacious and manoeuvrable family cruising boat for a small crew, and the result did not disappoint, as the boat remained in the hands of the same family for more than 45 years. The hull lines are very modern for their time, with a separate rudder supported by a skeg, a relatively small keel area and deep shapes. They are certainly not linked to any racing formula (as was the case with the IOR, for example), but at the same time they give the boat the agility and performance required, especially upwind. Overhangs, remarkable for today, although moderate for their time, give the hull a timeless elegance. The issue of ease of manoeuvrability is fulfilled by the splitting of the sails into a ketch with foresail and by a manoeuvring rig based on powerful winches, two of which were electrified in a major refit the boat underwent in the first decade of the 2000's. The curious arrangement of two steering positions, with separate and independent fwires circuits, also aids in offshore sailing, with an excellent view of the sails or in mooring manoeuvres. The deck, characterised by a large central cockpit, has plenty of space for sunbathing, whether at anchor or under sail. The dinghy cradle is easily removed, leaving the foredeck free. The elegantly rounded cockpit is very low and forgives the perhaps somewhat excessive height of the bulwarks. All of this translates into a habitability below deck that is out of the ordinary. The interior finish follows many of the typical Carabela guidelines, specifically those of Pepe Medina: elegantly finished beams, stylised columns in the middle and full at the ends, worked mouldings that follow each other, rounded bulkheads and lockers that follow these shapes, lots of coffered ceilings. In short: an apotheosis of good workmanship, of elegance without falling into baroquism or useless workmanship. As well as elegance, the Meltemi oozes practicality, with cupboards, lockers and storerooms for all your stowage needs. It also has a very spacious galley with all the comforts for long stays on board: fridge, freezer, oven and microwave. The large master cabin is served by a dedicated toilet. The forward cabin has two twin berths and two single berths and the forepeak has been fitted with a double V-berth. Each has a washbasin. The Meltemi was born as a ship for family cruises and has fulfilled this programme throughout her life, sailing all over the Mediterranean and being a regular presence in the Balearic archipelago. In 2007/2008 the Meltemi underwent an updating process, in order to continue sailing with a reduced crew: electric winches and a bow thruster were added, among other modernisation works, such as the installation of the two bow furlers. Many years later, the current owner had to repair some damaged areas of the hull and, taking advantage of the dryness of the hull after some years out of the water, he proceeded to cover the hull with a light layer of fibreglass to protect it from humidity. Its reduced selling price allows for a quick agreement. Today Meltemi's true vocation is still that of a comfortable, elegant and fast offshore cruiser, and she fulfill this with advantage.