I still have my boat in the water and decided to sail from Sturgeon Bay to Menominee, MI yesterday.  It was forecast to blow in the mid 20's with temps in the low to mid 50's.

Once I got out I realized that it was going to blow much harder than that so I started out with just my working jib (original sail from 1973).  Once I got out into Green Bay proper the waves really picked up and the lee helm was confusing.  As the waves built I realized that I needed to put up a small bit of mainsail to balance the rig and to give me a bit more speed.  Being undercanvased on these boats causes them to have a very unkindly sea motion.  With the main with 3 reefs in and the keel cranked all the way up the boat really took off.  

I am sure that this is the fastest I have ever sailed this boat.  I forgot my GPS so I have no idea as to my top speed.  It is 20+ NM from Sturgeon Bay to Menominee an I made it in 3 hours and 25 minutes.  This included the first hour and a half when I just had the jib up.  

I wasn't sure how the boat would handle the big waves 6-7' with the keel all the way up.  The sea motion was significantly greater but the boat felt in control at all times.  I was on a broad reach all the way which made it much easier in the big gusts.  The boat would actually begin to plane as it came down the face of the big waves, especially in a big gust.  It was much like dingy sailing.

I can only estimate the wind speed, I would say it was blowing a steady 30 with gusts into the low 40s.  I had had the boat out in these kinds of conditions numerous times in Iowa on Lake Rathbun.  The big difference here was the size of the waves.  In Iowa they wouldn't build to more than 3-4' no matter how hard it blew.

I have a storm jib and did not feel the need for it. If I had had to beat into the wind it might have been a different story.  I am typing this from the library in Menominee as the marina is closed = FREE.

By this time last year, my boat had been out of the water for 2 weeks.  I guess there is an upside to global warming.

What a great boat!!!!

Bob