When sailing the wind is exceptionally important, but it’s the gusts that really matter.

At times the wind can be calm and peaceful, say 8kts but with strong gusty shifts coming through with little time to adjust or reef. It can catch you out very badly if you aren’t prepared for it.

We’ve seen 8kts go to 45kts in seconds.

When passage planning make sure you have planned against the predicted gusts NOT the background wind.