Sailing fast on the jib only

Went out (singlehanded) in the Pamlico river yesterday. The forecasted 3-5 kts of wind turned out to be 15-20 kts, with gusts to ???? and waves 1' - 3'+. Yikes!!!

Traps not rigged yet, have righting line but need/want a bag for more weight- so not sure I can do it by myself. Tried to keep her under control. Every time I tried to haul in and trim the main to get some flying time she would just about go over on me. Ended up sailing most of the time with what seemed like a partial luff in the main- luff actually looked backed, while body of sail ok. No reef points either. I was still moving right along, left a San Juan 21 in my wash. The chop got pretty bad and a couple of times lifted the windward hull really high and I didn't want to get wind under my tramp and flip. Only stayed out an hour since I was beat!!

Gotta get those traps rigged (actually been waiting and waiting on parts from Hobie), get a righting bag, and practice some single-handed righting so I can sail with complete abandon!! (also need to find a better source of current and forecast maritime winds)

I had a similar situation not too long ago. I went out solo on the lake and the wind forecast was for 20-25 mph, Naturally I was stoked. I got out just fine, the wind was a little decieving on shore. As soon as I got going in the real "body" of the lake, the wind picked up like crazy. The whole lake was whitecaping with wave intervals of who knows? I managed to get across the lake fine and ended up beaching the boat to see if it would calm down. It didn't. There was one waveridder braving the conditions and if I could have gotten his attention I would have gladly taken a tow of shame back to the dock. I ended up being the only crazy on the lake and decided to sail back in. I was hauling butt under jib alone the whole way back in. Like you said, I was just letting the main luff. When I got back home the weather channel had recorded gusts of up to 40 mph that day. That was a crazy ride and enevitably a short day of sailing.

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James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909