Well, just back from sailing. Started nice (10-15) but would you believe weather.com was correct for once? "Wind building to 20-25 by noon."
Great time in the beginning learning the spin but once we were headed back windward the wind hit over 20 with higher gusts. At that point it really stresses me out it ain't no fun no mo. I have a relatively heavy crew (total weight of crew= 400lbs) and I couldn't imagine trying to keep the boat stable with less weight. Even had to do some funky moves to try to beach the boat (wind straight onto shore)- ended up having to park somewhere else, take the jib down and then beached it).
As for sailing a cat with only a jib- I have found that heading up just doesn't work- center of effort too far forward.

BUT.. nothing broke!
(last time... brand new sail flew out of back of pickup... scary but only very very minor damage)