The wind keeps building and is now stronger than the boat and crew are really comfortable with, even reefed down. What should the skipper consider?

A. Speed up to get the difficult sailing over with faster

B. Head back to the nearest safe harbour rather than continuing the original plan — getting everyone safely ashore matters more than finishing the planned route, especially with less experienced crew aboard

C. Drop all sail and simply drift, with no clear plan

D. Push on to the original destination no matter how the crew and boat are coping

A. Take this as an early warning and start preparing the boat for stronger wind now, before it arrives — it is much easier and safer to reef (reduce sail) in good time than to wait until it is already blowing hard

B. Sail faster to try and get back to harbour before the weather arrives, ignoring the current sail set

C. Wait until the wind actually increases before doing anything

D. Assume the dark sky means nothing and carry on exactly as before

A. Difficulty steering means the rudder is broken and must be checked immediately

B. Heeling more is exciting and a sign the boat is sailing well — no action is needed

C. The boat should be sailed faster to "power through" the stronger wind

D. The boat has too much sail up for the current wind strength — this is the classic sign that it is time to reef (reduce the size of the sails) to bring the boat back under easy control