I'm happy as a clam singlehanding my N20 up to about 15 kts. Above that, and it gets a bit too much work for me.

Doublehanding with my regular crew (weight about 370 lbs), we're happy in 12-20 mph, but then the wind gets really gusty (typically in our area), and it's a lot more work.

As JW and others said, sailing and racing are different. I've been out in nasty stuff racing and had a good time (because we weren't losing), but then again, it's my boat, and I don't like breaking stuff. Given the choice, I have opted out of races where conditions were constantly above 25 mph...too much risk of injury/damage.

Jake's got a point too. After the fourth or fifth time righting a boat in heavy air, you're really getting tired.

Hogsbreath 2004 was a good example. After the third time righting the boat (in about 30 mph wind), I was pretty tired. I didn't know if I'd be able to do it another three times if necessary... Of course, we also bent the spreader, so that clinched our decision to retire.