I'm curious what kind of rough weather others have encountered in their Hunter daysailers and how the boats (and sailors) handled the conditions- The roughest weather I have sailed my 170 in was on Sam Rayburn Reservoir (BIG for Texas lakes). The wind was howling out of the South. No birds in the air. They were all on the shore, leaning into the wind. I launched in a protected cove and headed out singlehanded. I had just bought the boat a few months earlier,and had not had the time to put a reef in the main sail, so I was under full main sail. I knew better than to try unfurling the jib with out others along for ballast. The boat was flying across the water, but very controllable. Experimenting with how the boat hadled, I pulled the mainsheet in enough to chug along nicely with a modest heel, and then I reeled the main in enough where the boom would drag the water. The boat responded very well with very little input to the rudder and mainsheet adjustments. before setting out I tied a five gallon water container, blown up with air, to the top of the mast in case of a capsize, and also had on a neoprene body suit to limit cold water exposure. Looking back, it was quite a chance I took just for going out daysailing . . . but I was really impressed with the boats handling in the high winds- This was all within 3/4's of a mile from the windward shore, so there were minimal waves. What are the highest waves you have sailed in? How did your boat handle? The only problem I encountered was that the upper part of the jib, even though it was fully furled (with the roller), caught wind and opened up. This created quite a problem as I was single-handing and had my hands full. I finally turned into the wind and ran up to the front with an extra piece of rope to lash the jib closed, but did get beat up by the jib lines. Now, even in light winds, I keep the jib closed with a short piece of rope, about four feet above the attachment of the jib lines.