Bob,

It was mph, not knots (sorry). So it was 22 knots, gusting to 35. In our geographic region (the plains states) it is the windier part of the US. Most of us are used to sailing in this heavy air. I've been at races when they were cancelled at these wind speeds, also at ONE when it was blowing harder and not cancelled. Although I would have felt right at home on a H16 under these conditions, the H20 has WAY too much sail and I knew it beforehand. It basically was a 3-hour survival ride. Thank you, I do have a very different perspective now, maybe my sharing this story will keep someone elses pride from clouding their reasoning.