Yesterday out on Lake Huron winds from the SSW 18 gusting to 25 seas were relatively calm on the South end of the lake, set the sails (roller furling main and jib) to approximately 60%, which provided for a comfortable heel angle and a steady speed of 7.2 to 7.8 kph. Later in the afternoon the wind speeds especially during gusts kick up a bit so I reduced the main sail area by another 5% which helped with the weather helm during gusts keeping the boat flatter without losing any speed (perhaps picking up a couple of tenths). As we were heading in a SE course (30* off the wind) a front caught up to us, now we had experienced earlier in the day (2) short squalls so I really didn't think much about the 3rd approaching front. When that front hit us, it hit us with more fury than I have ever felt while on a boat, I believe we experienced some straight line winds that provided us with at least 50 kph winds (perhaps as much as 60) the Sapphire immediately rounded and laid over on a very steep angle I was literally laying on the cockpit floor with water lapping over the combing, my son was closest to the main sheet which I asked to have released "SLOWLY" as he was being pelted by small hail and the rain felt like bullets hitting. Once the main sheet was eased the Sapphire stood higher and control was regained. The wind took the digital TV disk antenna off its bracket and turned into a flying saucer (now located somewhere in Lake Huron), the masthead light broke off its mount and is now dangling by its wire, all other masthead equipment survived thank goodness, although our dock mate has stated that my radio output sounds like there may be something going on with that. To add to this days adventures on our return the first of (3) bridges we have to have raised to get to our slip was inoperative, we were not able to reach our dock until 11:00 PM, we originally pulled in at around 6:00 PM ah well time for dinner and few wobbly pops.......
