So today I made my way up to a different lake than I normally sail at today and while I was there I hitched a ride with a guy on his 5.2, the wind was blowing a steady 25 and gusting much higher, probably above 35 regularly. Our run went great even thought we had never sailed together and the winds were crazy.

But later while he took another guy out they broke both daggerboards. It happened when huge gust hit them. The boards broke off just below the hull. One on one tack and the other on the other tack. Also before I had gotten there he had broken another board.

So what caused this, just the pressure on the board? Would pulling them up some have helped to keep them from breaking? Or should you just not be out in conditions like that? Also the boards didn't break with him and I on it, but I am alot lighter than the other guys who were sailing with him.