Big waves are the only threat
Much bigger than I believe you will see on the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Well over 10 feet, I should think. I have not seen a stability curve for our Cheribini h27's, but would bet that the critical point is past 120 degrees. That means a wave would have to roll your mast 30 degrees beyond horizontal to capsize your boat. Our capsize screen is a good 1.93. What that really means is that if you were out at sea, and a breaking 30 foot wave rolled your boat to inverted, The keel and hull shape would bring you back to upright in good time. I think that the worst case for your sailing area would be a knock-down - a burst of wind that lays your mast in the water. But the heel exerts tremendous righting force at this 90 degree heel. So you will come right back up when the burst eases. With modern weather radar, and marine weather forecasts, you can predict the rough weather for all but the afternoon thunderstorms that can generate on a hot, muggy day. So we just plan to get off the water by early afternoon in that kind of weather. Our preparation for taking our Grandson out on Lake Erie includes the standard rule that all wear life jackets at all times, and provision for harnesses for all so we can hook up going forward, or even in the cockpit if we see rough weather coming. The Chrubini design of your hull is a solid seaworthy design. You can count on it to take care of your and your children if you make sure you stay with the boat! Enjoy your sailing. Oh yeah - I'd recommend a day or two of instruction from a competent sailing instructor to teach you about your boat. We did this (despite years of small boat experience, and several charters on 30+ feet) and it was a great chance to learn from an expert how to sail safely, and take advantage of our boat in different types of weather. David Lady Lillie '77 h27
and I want to reassure myself that I can't do it (unintentionally) with the Hunter 27 before I start venturing further into and around the Bay.