Lessons from the Storm

Last month's unexpected gale taught us valuable lessons about heavy weather sailing. Here are the key takeaways from our experience.

Preparation is Everything

Before the weather deteriorated, we:

• Reefed early (second reef at 25 knots)
• Secured all loose items below
• Prepared the drogue for deployment
• Made hot food and filled thermoses

Key Techniques

The video below covers the essential heavy weather techniques that kept us safe during the blow.

Recovery

After 18 hours of challenging conditions, the wind moderated and we were able to make port safely. The boat performed admirably, and we gained confidence in our ability to handle rough weather.