Jay,

There's a certain point where it is game over. David and I did a Steeplechase 7-8 years ago where it was blowing 20+ and got hit by a squall with 35+ sustained while exiting Angel Creek. We pitchpoled with the kite up a couple of times, we took the spin down and pitchpoled a couple more times. We finally took the main down and were doing 15 knots under jib only. As the wind laid down, we would pull the main part of the way up and let it plaster against the shrouds. We maintained over 15 knots for that way until the wind got back down in the 20's. n Then we spun the boat up, re-set the main and spin, and finished the run to Anne's beach. There were several people and boats that got separated that day, and at least one CG rescue...