People used to tell me I was crazy for going sailing in bad weather.but my argument was that if you'd practiced in bad weather you wouldn't be surprised when it hit .
I once went out rowing in a 40 knot gale in an 8ft Dinghy. I learned as much about rough weather boat handling in an hour than I had in 20 years .

Strong winds and the north sea showed me my limitations in a matter of seconds- took me 13 hours to battle out of it again. This can be a life saving video, thank you for making it!👍

Based on a lengthy career as a yacht delivery skipper, (though quite a few decades past :>) I might make a couple of suggestions..
Especially when alone on watch, use two straps to hank yourself to the boat, one very short, this will anchor yourself in place and avoid being thrown across the cockpit onto something hard.. like a winch.. the second, a lengthy strap, that if you need to unhank the short strap in order to make some adjustment, will still ensure that you're attached. Using a single strap by knotting and releasing can become tiresome and difficult when tired, wet, cold. Secondly.. reduce watch times progressively and before fatigue sets in.. I've been down to 30 min per watch on a couple of very bad occasions. Fatigue can be a killer in several ways.

Comms enthusiast here -- there is a inexpensive option called a Throat Mic which can connect to handheld radios.  It also comes with a earpiece so that you can hear what's being said on channel.   The idea is to keep your hands free so that you can handle the tiller and lines.

I'm living on my small sail boat. The last 1.5 years full time, now part time. I do heavy weather sailing at least once a year so if I happen to encounter heavy weather underway   I know what I'm doing.
Also I like heavy weather more than wind speeds in the single digit knots, because the latter one comes with quite a risk of no wind at all which is kinda bad because as I have no engine that's my best propulsion (I can still wrigg it, but that's very hard work on a 1.5t boat with very little effect)...

I have seen a few instructional videos covering this topic but none made things as clear.  You covered many of the fearful topics in one logical flow that just makes sense!

Assent was owned by Willie Ker well before the 79 Fastnet. It was his son Alan who skippered the boat during that race. Assent was the first keel boat I ever sailed on - probably around 1976 - having learned to sail on the same small reservoir where my family met and became friends with Willie. What a legend... Assent is looking good! The last time I saw her was in Victoria BC where I met Willie after he had returned from the Bering Sea; she was looking a little rough!

And those conditions can occur just about anywhere and anytime.  I once got caught in 35+ winds gusting to 50+ on the Columbia River Gorge in a blizzard in a 24-ft. Kent Ranger. My years of year round off-shore sailing off the Pacific coast prepared me for the event, but I never ever encountered as rough a conditions on the ocean as that time on the Columbia and with very little room to maneuver. to avoid running aground or collecting rock.  And yes, the Columbia River can develop some good sized waves and turbulent waters.
  Still one of my most memorable sailing adventures shared with my young son and a friend who had never been on a sailboat before and became an avid sailor after much more time on my boat learning the ropes leading to his Captains license.  
  Excellent post...👍👍

I really appreciate this. A practical example of preparation and dealing with conditions. I would also add that care of the morale and 'energy' of the crew is not often discussed however important that it certainly is. Excellent vlog.

Excellent video. Might have been worth mentioning to have a good check over the boat once back in harbour to ensure nothing has chafed, or started to come undone or anything else which might catch you out next time you go to sea. If still at sea, then check as much as you can when the weather has calmed down.

Lot of nice things to say about this video.   Besides, it is a relief to actually see an internet video (this may be the first I have seen) done by somebody who speaks the language, almost always using proper terminology.  Youtube is just swamped with self-styled cruising experts who don't even know what a "deck" is.    It never ceases to amaze and even to depress me to see such persons who know less about how to talk about a boat than I did when I was 10 years old.

Gotta say as a "solo" sailor on a 25' sloop my extra hands is Wayne the wind vane. He sits there doing his thing no complaints, bucketing rain, blowing a gale, holding course. Meanwhile I'm bruised, dry and enjoying YouTube.
On that note, racing along in +45knot gust solidifies sailors knowledge and skill.

Having been crew in a heavy gale on several occassions I can definitely say that any time you have to go forward is a VERY dangerous situation, and even normally minor issues become life threatening. The bounce of the foredeck combined with everything being wet, cold, and slippery means that you need four hands for the boat (and wish you had prehensile toes).
Getting prepared before the weather gets bad, and practicing (like this video suggests) are your best action plan. You can very quickly find yourself having to get onto
a foredeck travelling up and down 6-8 ft every few seconds, while trying to untangle a line or worse, pulling in a headsail, with no footing.

Outstanding!! Brilliantly done all round. Best heavy weather vid I have ever seen, kudos to the crew and Theo -. you hit every important detai ,and the after action review was spot on. Expect and prepare for the worst, then carry on and enjoy the very best! Your prep and attention to detail took this from a potential horrror show to a valuable and unforgettable but safe day at sea. Bravo!

The sea state is the most important.
This is an excellent exercice; but what I am most afraid of is the sea state with high waves with a short period; these are real killer for a small boat; even if the wind slowed down a little bit.

Congratulations for all the experience and demo : this is an excellent tutorial.
The idea of a separate track for the trysail is excellent. I wanted to install one on my own boat but then disaster struck in the form of a heart ailments and in a day sailing had to be a thing of the past. Some events in life suck.
Enough of self-pity; go out and train ! … And it's fun too!!!

A couple weeks ago I went out, I didn't bother to check the forecast and it turns out there was a small craft advisory. It quickly turned to 25 knot winds and 40 knot gusts and I was out on my little 22 foot swing keel! Needless to say I quickly dropped sail and motored my butt back in and had a fun time trying to dock! Luckily my slipmate was out as well, so I had all the room I needed to fight the wind.

Going out in 35+ knots, on purpose, can be a lot of fun. Provided you are ready for it anyhow.

Awesome video.  Never forget you can change course to be safe. Keep your knees bent everyone.

Great video, the presenter is excellent and this was a terrific watch!! Very informative

I have the article here right beside me. I am so happy there is a video to this. One of the best articles I have read recently. Assent is a treasure