The only way to sail relatively safely in extreme winds is with just a jib.
We took down the main by rolling it around the boom while the boat was on its side which was surprisingly easy (had a RIB unhook it at the top though).

Inland it seems like weather can really surprise you a lot more than at sea.
A few years ago I had this happen while kiting when a big storm came up and wind went from 12 to 45kts in minutes with hail and heavy rain.
That day someone actually died too, an experienced kitesurfer who hit a rock with his head