First, the comments about deep water don't apply to you if you're sailing in
the Northern Chesapeake. But, certainly stay away from the flats.
30-35mph (25-30k), while it can be unsettling for a small boat, should not
be dangerous. The good thing about our summer thunderstorms is that they
generally don't last very long.
Reef your main and put up a storm jib (don't have one? Maybe worth the
investment).
The best thing is that you made it through and seem willing to go and try it
again. Every time you try sailing in heavy weather, it builds your skills
and makes you a little more prepared for the next time.
--
----
Steve
S/V Pony Express
Middle River, MD

"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!