Came back across the channel to the UK last week in about a F6 (may be more), it was pretty unpleasant, very lumpy but fast with the wind on the stern quarter. The boat was fine but made me wonder how much the boat can take.

What's the worst conditions you have been out in? any interesting stories?

Saturday 02 July, 2005, Dublin Bay race. Forecast was a 6, rising during the evening. On the water, we experienced wind 7, gusting 9 (42 seen). Boat was overpowerd, (lots of dumping going on). Half the Cruiser 3 fleet retired, including us. We returned under No. 3 alone, at 6-7 knots. I have to add that the sea had not got up at that stage, which would have added a very unwelcome dimension to the proceedings.

After mature reflection, we would rather not experience similar conditions again

For us it has been inside the Solent, so a bit sheltered. I went out with my brother who wanted to build up some experience for a flotilla holiday.

The wind was a bit strong so we had to wait for a lull before dropping the mooring. As we backed out across wind we put the leeward gunwhale in with only the windage of the rig and my brother. I said nothing..

We then put up the storm jib and had 2 reefs in the main and sailed around a circuit from Hamble to Cowes, up Southampton Water to Eling Creek (no wind ..) and back to Hamble. Top gust was 37 knots true, passed a Sigma 33 which had lost its mast, and a lot of the time wind in the Solent was at 32 knots plus (bramblemet records). To windward no problem except spray, as we could spill or feather up. Off the wind deeper than a broad reach we were right on the edge with too much power from the main. We were up at 6 to 7 knots boat speed.

Biggest waves I have been in were off Berry Head when a south easterly had stirred things up and waves were beginning to break about 1km from the shore. These waves were a couple of metres high at that distance off shore, but they were breaking spectacularly on the cliffs and the passing trawlers. Big yachts coming the other way were turning back. Strangely there was only about a force 4 blowing. We had the main up, and as the boat rolled wildly each way, the main would fill and power us off in a surf.

A few years ago when I was chatting with the owner of Electronique, he claimed to have been out in 50 knots off Brighton Marina and survived.

I think the issue is not wind speed so much as wave size : the boat can be rolled rather easily with the extreme beam, and at lesser sizes of waves the crew will be thrown around a lot. People will be the limit I expect.

our worst was 40 knots across the deck rounding the islands at Abersoch racing from Pwllheli, big waves and trouble avoiding the lighthouse island, things behaved differently .. this was a beat to the islands and a run back, everyone else retired but us and the other guy, Sundancer an Elizabethan 9 metre, who couldn't retire because we didn't, because he didn't.. you get the picture, we had to finish. Anyway we attempted to put the storm kite up (I had the decks reinforced to keep the fittings in) (I forget the sail material weight.. 1.75? or .75? anyway, very tough stuff. I was assured the fitting would come out of the deck before it failed, hence reinforced deck fixings). We are a fractional and this kite is handkerchief sized, but same colours as the big one heheh... big boats up ahead don't know which one we are putting up! So, anyway we took it down as it was probably going to break something. Honour being satisfied we ran back at some ridiculous speeds.. over about 13 knots the speedo comes out! I know hull speed is 6knots.. and keelboats don't plane, though surf.. I never really understood these numbers.

We won the series and my crew were (especially) brave that day.

I think the most scary aspect of such weather is the complete lack of any other boats.... the lifeboat coxwain was on the other boat! if I recall. This was 1999. Keeping her stable; depowering to the nth degree and still going like a rocket.

Anthony - Strike II

LOl LOL LOL!!!
Many a time - Charlie Farley is the only boat out in the bay or on the way to the scillies when lesser boats and mortals have stayed behind
I find 40 knots no problem