On Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:57:17 +0100, Goofball_star_dot_etal
wrote:

It does not take a wave to throw a boat into a broach if it is dead
down wind with the main sheeted in hard. Any strong gust will do.

Ah, but if you get the right wave you can do 14.5 knots sideways.

Just before the knock down. :-)

It's been my experience that sailing with the spreaders in the water
is slow. Don't ask me how I know that.