Overcast. Strong winds out of the south with well developed wind driven waves. Good bit of pitching while on the wind with water washing the genoa and coming on deck. Sustained 18 knots on the wind instrument when on the wind, 15 knots while out in the Bay on the return trip. Back into the Severn River, the wind dropped away to nine knots or less.
Single reef in the main. Took the reef after passing Y "A", upon being exposed to the southerly winds in the Bay. Even with the reef, the boat was burying the rail in the water often enough. Able to sail quite high in these comparatively heavy winds, 30 degrees according to the wind instrument. But 30 degrees was slower, about 4.5 knots. A bit further off the wind, at about 40 degrees, saw boat speeds of 5.5 knots. Wave action hindered the boat considerably, dropping the speed by a knot perhaps before the boat built up speed again.
Return trip saw speeds of 6+ easily, with wave surfing showing 7+. Waves pushed the stern strongly, resulting in significant yawing requiring continuous synchronized steering to hold the course to some extent.
GPX formatted Track distance: 9.23nm, average speed: 5.2kts, duration: 1:47