Let me set the scene for the tale. Mother's Day morning, left the slip at 8:45 am, heading south across the lake for a training cruise for wife and son. Winds out of the east (shifting to the southeast), 10 - 15 kts, with a forecast of 24 kt gusts later in the day. Original main, un-reefed, although I do have the ability to take in a single reef, original 110% jib up, but haven't gotten a roller furler yet. Boom vang set for heavy winds. Keel fully extended on a close reach/close hauled due to shifting winds.
Wife had the helm, GPS indicating 5 - 7 mph. During the sail to the south end of the lake the winds kept shifting and increasing in strength. When we got to the south end of the lake and prepared to come about, I told my wife I'd take over because I was starting to worry about the increaing winds.
The return trip north was mostly uneventful except a Hunter 26 changed course and forced us up into a cove on the lake. As a result, I was forced to gybe the boat to get back to the main body of the lake. As I re-entered the main part of the lake I headed south on the lake again on a port tack, once again on a close reach with the main sheet and jib both cleated down, although several times I took control of the main sheet and sailed the Lucky like I would a sunfish, using the position of the main to minimize the heel of the boat, i.e. a dynamic reef. By the GPS we actually hit 8+ mph a couple of times and life was good. At this point I told the crew "ready about" and when they were ready, I put the tiller over and began the tack. As the boat passed the eye of the wind, and I was steadying her up on the new tack.... the wind shifted, and as Murphy would have it, gusted to at least 30 kts, taking the boat on the beam.
Life got interesting pretty quick and I wasn't too worried until the heel went past 45 degrees and Lucky didn't show a sign of righting. Meanwhile back at the ranch.. the wind gusted even higher and we continued the heel. At about 80 degrees of heel (inclinometer only goes to 60 degrees) but the mast was pretty much horizontal, I kicked the tiller over and released the main sheet just as water washed over the cockpit combing and into the cockpit.
Lucky headed up into the wind and snapped back to a more normal heel and not a darn thing broke or tore. We set the sails again and sailed for about another 1/2 hour using dynamic reefing without incident before deciding the winds were just getting too much to handle and headed for the house.
So, yes, you can knock a C-22 down if the winds are strong enough and you are stupid or you just want to wash the lee portlights. However, the C-22 is a tank with sails and like a Timex, takes a licking and keeps on ticking!
Back to the lake tomorrow!
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