Saw Jeff #14640's commentary and could not help but jump on the bandwagon... I sail on Big Bear Lake which is up in what passes for mountains in southern California. The surrounding hills guarantee a 10-15 knot wind almost daily; slow in the morning, freshening in the afternoon, calm by evening. Which is why I took no particular note of the windy conditions as I sailed away from the dock. However within a few minutes of getting out of the marina, a hurried consult of "Sailing for Dummies," and a stiff drink later, I realized conditions were just a little different than expected. Before the wind tore the Beaufort Scale from my book, I noted, with satisfaction, that I was currently experiencing a "Strong Breeze." Of course, "breeze" normally being a word I associated with my porch swing on a lazy summer evening. Since there is safety and comfort in numbers, I was especially happy to realize I was by myself. Still I was having a grand time - ensuring that I was on a starboard tack - though I noticed a disturbing lack of sail traffic on the water. As I flew past a public boat ramp, I was cheered by the sight of an overturned Sunfish... About this time I noticed that my port side standing rigging apparently was reproducing as there were four lines there, vice the normal three. A number of four letter words flitted through my mind as I realized that a turnbuckle on one of my starboard lines had worked itself loose. And while I almost ended up in someone's front lawn I got the opportunity to spin around on to the port tack to take the strain off the starboard side, find some calmer water in an inlet, and effect repairs - then back out to enjoy myself. Like Jeff, I saved the hard part for the trip home, beating my way back to the marina - getting soaked, moving everything that I thought was stowed into a giant moving pile in the middle of the cabin, and finding that point of heel at which point the rudder no longer responded - oh, and generally impressing the hell out of the local fishermen I'm sure. Because I was by myself and I have not had the boat long enough to really rig it for single-handed sailing (roller furling, halyards to the cockpit, etc.), I only had the main up; no reef. Like Jeff, I found out she'd take a beating like a champ. I also learned that while she would not capsize or be knocked down in that wind, having the rudder so far out of the water it didn't work was a bad thing - but knowing where that point existed was a good thing. Lastly, great confidence builder! I'm ready for anything! Where did I put that darned Vendee Globe application, anyway? Scott