Fast sailing!

Had a great day out sailing. We flipped two times, pitch poled twice and back flipped one time. I also did my first peter pan. My question is, how strong is the wind when it starts to white cap? My gps said I had a top boat speed of 21.6 mph. I love my Hobie!

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I wish winter was not so long in Sask. Canada. It's hard to sail on ice! 1984 16' hobie cat Sail# 84848

We had 25 mph wind today on Lake Monroe in Indiana and my Hobie 21 SE was flying...we did not flip but had a great time in all of those white caps.We had three adults on board and two 10 years old boys that will be hooked now for life.I have not flipped in over 10years at least.I guess I sail too conservatively .I did meet a soon to be new Hobie sailor yesterday..Ranger Stan,welcome to the Hobie way of life...
Bill 404 21SE

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Bill 404 21SE

White capping starts around 10 knots on still water.

From my earliest sailing experience (over 50 years ago) and significant over-ocean low level flight experience (rescue & recovery back in the day) I learned this Beaufort Scale (google it for even more detail!)

Beaufort Number
0 = < 1 mph Sea is flat
1 = 1-3 mph Small ripples
2 = 4-7 mph Small wavelets
3 = 8-12 mph Large wavelets, some whitecaps
4 = 13-17 mph Small waves, many whitecaps
5 = 18-24 mph Moderate waves, whitecaps & some spray
6 = 25-30 mph Long waves, foam crests, noticeable spray
7 = 31-38 mph Breaking waves, foam streaks, moderate spray

Beyond this, there be dragons . . .

Fair winds & following seas . . .