Hey Dunedinite , this topic will attract a lot of " fishy " tales. Anyhow , try this for size- I was sailing a Crowther 45 to Noumea , in May some years ago and became involved in an East Coast low just on Capel Bank , about half way.Eventually hove too and for many hours recorded 50 +. The boat took it well but the noise was frightening when a breaking wave would land on the Cabin top.Found God for a while but then went on to travel round the world !! In a good boat and by doing the right proceedure , these events a quite survivable.

About 3 years ago we suffered some extreme winds from the NW which brought down a lot of trees in the area. Usual strong winds here are from the West and NE and the trees were not accustomed to this direction. The wind channeled down the Shoalhaven and blew solid for 24 hours. Several yachts came off their moorings including mine. Chafe on the risers as the rope came over the rollers was the general cause. I had leather as a chafe protector but the constant wind against the tide at times ate through that and then the 45mm rope. Tiller lashed fore and aft and with the main sail cover the yacht would have sailed on a beam reach straight across the river onto a nice muddy bank. As the tide fell she lay on her side and the waves blew right over her. Next day I put the anchor out and floated her off on the high tide.Wore a bit of antifouling, that was it. As a side note the rescue association refused to help any of the boat owners and have not helped any of the other owners in later mooring mishaps!

Its interesting reading about the recent gales blowing in England and the effects it has on yachts in marinas. The stuff we don't really have to deal with so much in this country. Having the yachts arranged so that neighbouring yachts are tethered so that masts don't interlock etc. Once the storm arrives personnel are banned from the pontoon area altogether, you have to watch from a distance.

May have mentioned it before. 80 plus knots around Cape Otway, more knock downs than i can count and eventual pitchpole. We obviously survived.

Tenth of November was the 38th anniversary of the sinking of the "Edmund Fitzgerald". We all know the song and lyrics by Gordon Lightfoot, if you don't look here; gcaptain.com/38th-anniversary-edmund-fitzgerald-sinking/

Read this blog for the weather at the time. oceanweatherservices.com/blog1/2011/11/03/gales-of-november/

Notice the wind at the time was not that severe. Not sure of the depth of water in the lake but I have a feeling it was shallow and the nasty waves caused by strong wind over shallow water was the cause.

Check your hatch covers and ensure they can be secured.