Steeplechase winds

In light of this weekends Steeplechase race, what are your personal wind velocity limits? What variables do you take into account before setting sail in high wind conditions?

If you're looking for a number, I'd say 20 knots is my limit, maybe less. I would also factor in the severity of the gusts and the temperature. If I'm cold, I'm not having fun.

I heard somewhere that the A cats don't start races in anything over 20. Sounds reasonable to me.

Two variables:

1- How much will it cost to repair the damage.

2- Will it be more work than fun.

I ask myself these two questions and if I don't like either answer, I stay on shore.

I am an unapologetic fair weather sailor. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

We sailed partly because we didn't know where our limits were - and you can't find them unless you probe the border occasionally. On the Nacra 20, our limit is about 30 downwind without the spinnaker before you can't control it any longer. Apparently, the F18 is a little lower ... perhaps around 25 - 28. Upwind, we can take a bit more but turning and changing angles becomes very tricky.