Got caught unprepared in high winds again

[capn_billl]

I was sailing offshore full sail in light winds, <5kts.

And going nowhere fast. I idly thought of ways to increase sail area, but I knew thunderstorms were predicted, so I decided to stay put.

Then suddenly a 20kts gust came out of nowhere, and began ramping up.

I immediately released the jib sheets, and it began flogging like a madman, and the pressure on the main weathercocked me into irons..

I started an engine to get steerage, and forcibly furled the jib. (it took some cranking to get it in)

The main was now parallel to the wind, so I didn't worry about it except it was very gusty, and not always from the same direction.

I also noticed the sky was getting dark, and spits of rain, and crackle of thunder.

SO I dropped the main to the first reef, and let out half the jib, and went back to sailing. Gusty, but manageable, and put the electrodes in the water.

Then after half an hour the storm moved ahead of me, and toward shore where I could see heavy rain bands, and active lightening hitting the water.

Then after an hour the wind dropped back to 5 kts, the sun came back out, and it was all good again.

I guess just another typical sail.