Jim Carter wrote:

A few years back, a Bayliner of approx. 26 feet, was caught in a
thunderstorm on northern Lake Huron. It went to the bottom. The waves
breaking over the bow, pushed in the windscreen and tore the front hatch
off. Boat was overloaded and the owner was not skilled in rough weather
boating. He thought that a "small craft warning" was for canoes or
rowboats.


We had people who felt the same when we sailed the Mirage 33.
In those conditions, I wasn't so worried about the boat, although we
were de-masted during a race in very heavy winds and on another occasion
ripped the genoa up during our 'Turkey Bowl' regatta race. I was more
concerned that someone on board might get hurt or sick (usually me).