Ive been in 30 plus winds and I dont think even a H16 could sail in that, not even reefed. I was on a monoslug with no sails and we were flying a hull with bare spar. 40 would be survival conditions, not sailable conditions for a small cat. Not that I dont believe you, just real skeptical that it was 40, probably felt like it though!
It was a tough day. We reefed the main. Got knocked between the tramp and hull about 8 times going to weather from the waves on the lake as we trapped out. Last time around the weather mark MET us half way up the course (broke loose from anchor) and they called the race. I was a LOT younger and tougher in 81.
Doug
