Squall Showdown: Battling 40-Knot Winds & 2.2m Waves Near Cabo Rojo

We weighed anchor at Gilligan's Island Anchorage around 8 AM despite some forecasted squalls. Once underway, the sea proved rougher than expected, and we encountered two powerful squalls with 40-knot winds and 2.2-meter waves. With the main sail double-reefed and only our stay sail up, we were surfing down waves at nearly 11 knots-a speed I hadn't seen in Kaizen before. Navigating past Cabo Rojo Lighthouse in Puerto Rico, I had to hand-steer around the corner and adjust our course, running downwind instead of turning up at the island's end due to the intense wind. It was an eventful day that truly put our sailing skills to the test!