If you've sailed a great deal this if really second nature, but it's always good to be reminded. The basic point I remember is whitecaps are pretty predominant at @ 15mph...start watching and be ready to reef. you want to be reefed at no more than 25 I'd think, and once the wind is a steady 25 you'll be getting gusts which will make reefing a bit more...lets say exciting....
here's the link I found this page;
http://www.marinewaypoints.com/marine/wind.shtml
Beaufort Wind Scale
| |||||
| Beaufort Number or Force |
Wind Speed
| Description | Effects Land / Sea | ||
| mph | km/hr | knots | |||
| 0 | <1 | <1 | <1 | Calm | Still, calm air, smoke will rise vertically.Water is mirror-like. |
| 1 | 1-3 mph | 1-5 kph | 1-3 knots | Light Air | Rising smoke drifts, wind vane is inactive.Small ripples appear on water surface. |
| 2 | 4-7 mph | 6-11 kph | 4-6 knots | Light Breeze | Leaves rustle, can feel wind on your face, wind vanes begin to move.Small wavelets develop, crests are glassy. |
| 3 | 8-12 mph | 12-19 kph | 7-10 knots | Gentle Breeze | Leaves and small twigs move, light weight flags extend.Large wavelets, crests start to break, some whitecaps. |
| 4 | 13-18 mph | 20-28 kph | 11-16 knots | Moderate Breeze | Small branches move, raises dust, leaves and paper.Small waves develop, becoming longer, whitecaps. |
| 5 | 19-24 mph | 29-38 kph | 17-21 knots | Fresh Breeze | Small trees sway.White crested wavelets (whitecaps) form, some spray. |
| 6 | 25-31 mph | 39-49 kph | 22-27 knots | Strong Breeze | Large tree branches move, telephone wires begin to "whistle", umbrellas are difficult to keep under control.Larger waves form, whitecaps prevalent, spray. |
| 7 | 32-38 mph | 50-61 kph | 28-33 knots | Moderate or Near Gale | Large trees sway, becoming difficult to walk.Larger waves develop, white foam from breaking waves begins to be blown. |
| 8 | 39-46 mph | 62-74 kph | 34-40 knots | Gale or Fresh Gale | Twigs and small branches are broken from trees, walking is difficult.Moderately large waves with blown foam. |
| 9 | 47-54 mph | 75-88 kph | 41-47 knots | Strong Gale | Slight damage occurs to buildings, shingles are blown off of roofs.High waves (6 meters), rolling seas, dense foam, Blowing spray reduces visibility. |
| 10 | 55-63 mph | 89-102 kph | 48-55 knots | Whole Gale or Storm | Trees are broken or uprooted, building damage is considerable.Large waves (6-9 meters), overhanging crests, sea becomes white with foam, heavy rolling, reduced visibility. |
| 11 | 64-72 mph | 103-117 kph | 56-63 knots | Violent Storm | Extensive widespread damage.Large waves (9-14 meters), white foam, visibility further reduced. |
| 12 | 73+ mph | 118+ kph | 64+ knots | Hurricane | Extreme destruction, devastation.Large waves over 14 meters, air filled with foam, sea white with foam and driving spray, little visibility. |
