35 knots is not anywhere near "survival conditions".... it's a good breeze
and a fast passage. My boat is dry at 35 knots. I start getting a teeny
antsy when it tops 45 knots with a double reefed main and 100% jib.....
it's nowhere near scary though. I've been in winds gusting to 55 knots on
the lake... with a triple reefed main and storm jib we made less than
spectacular progress to windward but the gusts weren't knocking us down
either. The best I've done is downwind in 40 knots with full main and 150
genoa..... wing on wing ......and we blew through the reefed down, broad
reaching race fleet like they were standing still. The fleet consisted of
Niagara 35, C&C 27s, Tanzer 27, Frasier 42, Catalina 27s, a home built Tri,
Contessa 32, Alberg 26..... at the 15 mile mark I had a 2 mile lead and was
the second last to cross the start line.

None of the 3 Mac26Xs in Yellowknife competed. Even they weren't that
stupid.

CM


"Veridican" wrote in message
...
| Jeff,
|
| You say 25 knots is more like a jog in the park and 35 is survival
conditions,
| and then you say it's no big deal. 25 knots is 21 mph sustained. It's a
force 6
| wind. In a cruising boat, you should be in harnesses and reefed. In a
dinghy
| you shouldn't go out at all. I'm not saying it can't be fun, but don't
make it
| sound like it's a normal sailing experience. To use your own words, It's a
jog
| in the park.
|
| The Veridican