18.9 knots peak speed

Well, racing was cancelled this evening, due to "too much wind" - Pah!

As I had Alex Smith as crew, and Rob Way, and Penny Slee were willing to go out two-up on their Dart 15, we decided to make an evening of it.

The Torridge was far too gusty so we headed towards Appledore and Crow Point, where we met up with Rob and Penny.

They matched us tack for tack, as we ploughed through a F6, gusting F8!

We were jolly glad that we could reef the Dart 16, as without it, my arms would have been 6 inches longer.

The leeward hull was largely underwater and the waves were slamming into the forward crossbeam. My ample weight was well hiked out and Alex was doing sterling service on the trapeze. We nearly pitch-poled a couple of times, but were never seriously out of shape.

Our peak speed was on a beam reach off Appledore before we nearly pitch-poled.

A great evening's sail with great company.

Marginally less wind, and a non-reefed mainsail would give us more speed.

I certainly swallowed plenty of brackish water this evening as it was like being on the receiving end of a fireman's hose for 90% of the time.