Sailing is about looking at conditions and adapting your craft and crew to the tasks.
25 knots is no problem.
gear up and get ready for fun...
But arriving at the dock with friends I would take a moment to acclimate them to the less exciting part of sailing. Weather forecasting. If it is going to be a steady 25, I‘d be reefing the sails and putting on my foulies expecting a fun time on the water. I’d brew some hot water and store it in a thermos so we could a hot beverage or soup while out. I’d tell the crew what we can expect and what I expect of them. I would not coerce or force anyone to leave a solid safe dock if they were not informed and had made an informed decision. Staying on the dock after considering the facts is fine.
If it is 25 knots going to build to 60 knots, I would have them help me double up the lines and we’d check our schedules for another time.
Sailing in heavy winds is a skill you want your crew to be ready sail, be they newbies of competent professionals. The only way to build that skill is to sail.
First you as skipper need to be competent. And if a breeze more than 15knots makes you queazy, then find a skipper with a boat and heavy wind skills. Ask to crew on his/her boat. Learn the nature of boats in heavy breezes and seas. Sail solo so that you can affirm your skill level to handle a boat that is pitching about, only then can you give clear and concise directions to crew members in those same conditions.
Learn to reef, to quarter waves, manage chop, to understand what your boat can do, and then sail.
25 knots is no problem.
gear up and get ready for fun...
But arriving at the dock with friends I would take a moment to acclimate them to the less exciting part of sailing. Weather forecasting. If it is going to be a steady 25, I‘d be reefing the sails and putting on my foulies expecting a fun time on the water. I’d brew some hot water and store it in a thermos so we could a hot beverage or soup while out. I’d tell the crew what we can expect and what I expect of them. I would not coerce or force anyone to leave a solid safe dock if they were not informed and had made an informed decision. Staying on the dock after considering the facts is fine.
If it is 25 knots going to build to 60 knots, I would have them help me double up the lines and we’d check our schedules for another time.
Sailing in heavy winds is a skill you want your crew to be ready sail, be they newbies of competent professionals. The only way to build that skill is to sail.
First you as skipper need to be competent. And if a breeze more than 15knots makes you queazy, then find a skipper with a boat and heavy wind skills. Ask to crew on his/her boat. Learn the nature of boats in heavy breezes and seas. Sail solo so that you can affirm your skill level to handle a boat that is pitching about, only then can you give clear and concise directions to crew members in those same conditions.
Learn to reef, to quarter waves, manage chop, to understand what your boat can do, and then sail.