3rd time sailing on avg. 7 mph winds with 15 mph gusts, 7 was very comfortable but when the 15 mph hit the cable was singing and I was very white nuckled, question is are their any worries at 15 of knock downs, no rails in the water but sail power is shockingly powerful and there's no stop button.
mac 224 venture
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Heck, yeah! 15 is getting up there for our lightweight boats. There is a sort of a stop button, however. It's called "heaving to".
"We cannot control the winds, but we can adjust our sails."
When it hit there was no steering, hang on or pop it loose, fun but scary as heck. Put 4 months in that thing the last I wanna see is it floating 3 ft. too deep! Lol
You did good by letting out the sail but that's only good for gusts. When you feel overpowered for more than a few moments it's time to reef. I'm sure your boat came with roller reefing but forget trying to use it. If your sail doesn't have reef point get some installed and learn how to use it.
Yes it has a single reef, any ideas how much wind is to much, or is it just all dependent on direction
The general rule is "The first moment you think it may be time to reef. It's time."
Good Advice on reefing. Also, roller reefing was not one of Rogers better ideas. Have double reef points on Freedom. As far as knockdowns are concerned, you will probably round up before a knockdown which will drive the lee rail further down. Venture/Mac have large main sails.Easing the main helps. What size headsail were you using? Only knockdown I ever experienced was with spinnaker at Hurricane Gulch in San Pedro, Ca. Ventures are very forgiving and as you sail more you will get used to sailing traits. Enjoy and sail on...
Using factory jib no spinaker usage yet, my local lakes are long but twist and turn so no real long down wind runs available
Force on the sail increases at the square of the velocity, so your 15 MPH gusts have over four times the force of your 7 mph wind. I'd rather sail in a smooth 15 than a gusty 7 any day. once you get everything trimmed for a steady wind you'd be surprised at how much you can handle, and how much fun it can be. 
I spent several years sailing in gusty winds on small lakes and knew nothing else until one day I finally got the chance to sail on the Pacific. although I do enjoy fiddling with the tiller and sails to get the maximum benefit out of the gusts it is really nice to be able to set your sails and tiller for a long reach and just sit back and enjoy it.
I find that an auto pilot comes in handy even if you only use it for a minute or two here and there.
I really enjoy 20-25 mph but if its really gusty to 30 or more the V224 can be quite squirrely - fun for me; tolerated by the the Admiral. In that kind of wind the boat will want to round up a lot if too much sail is up.Force on the sail increases at the square of the velocity, so your 15 MPH gusts have over four times the force of your 7 mph wind. I'd rather sail in a smooth 15 than a gusty 7 any day. once you get everything trimmed for a steady wind you'd be surprised at how much you can handle, and how much fun it can be.