Don't listen to Hero. He's a dolt.

If you can see it coming and have time, reef down as much
as you're able. You want some sail up, so you can hold a
course. You need to stay away from the shore. The boat is
going to be better off in deep water rather than on the rocks.
There's not much you can do about preventing a lightning strike.
Suggestion: Don't kiss the mast. Stay away from metal/electonics.
I'd leave up the main if at all possible. Reduce the jib size also.
Don't try to anchor. All you'll do is trash either yourself or the
boat. Keep sailing. It's better than running aground. Deep water
is your friend. If you have time, get the boat prepared by stowing
anything that can come loose, above or below decks. Have
seasick prevention medicine and hand it out and take it yourself.
Get into your foulies and have the crew do the same. Prepare
them mentally for what's going to happen. You're the skipper
and you have to keep the crew as calm as possible, which means
you have to behave calmly. You could also call the CG on 16
and advise them of your position if you really think you might not
be able to handle it. They will then keep track of you and might
decide to ask for assistance on your behalf if they think it's necessary.

Now that you've done it, what do you think you should have done
differently? Remember, it's better to wish you were sailing than
wish you weren't, but don't be afraid of the wind. The wind is your
friend.

"Greg Bossert" wrote in message
om...
I have been sailing for the last 5 summers but just had my first foul
weather experience. I sail in a Cape Dory Typhoon out of NorthEast in
the Chesapeake and sometimes Frenchman's Bay in ME. The boat has no
outboard and I had a one member crew with very little sailing
experience. I was about 2 hours upwind when an unexpected (and
unforcasted) storm moved through. My question is, what steps should I
have taken when I knew that it was inevitable that I would be caught
in foul weather? There were very high/gusty winds (probably
30-35mph+), heavy rain and ligntning all around. I made my way as
close to shore as I thought possible without grounding but still felt
very uncomfortable about the lightning. I droped the sails when the
high winds hit and then tried to sail under the jib alone but was
still healed over with the rail burried and the gusts would just push
the bow downwind. I considered dropping anchor but had trouble with
the rhode. When I got to the point when I felt that we were in danger
of taking on heavy water I flagged down a passing pontoon boat and got
a tow back to the harbor. Does anyone have advise on handling very
high/gusty winds (strong enough to knock her down) and lightning?
Would I have been better off pulling down the sails and anchoring
until the weather moved through? Would reefing the main and dropping
the jib be a better choice than flying the jib alone? Your experience
is appreciated by a now slightly weathered guy!