Hi: My story is very similar to Wild Hare, took place on Elephant Butte Lake even. We had a Balboa 24 at the time and were sailing on the North end of the lake. The wind came up with gusts to 50 knots (As reported by Harries Marina). Being new to sailing I took the sails down, started the outboard (a Honda 9.9hp). But with the wave action the motor was out of the water more than it was in. So we raised a reefed main and sailed back toward the marina on a beam reach, but the marina was direct to windward and with little skill I didn't think I could bring the boat in. So we sailed up and down the lake for about seven hours till the wind dropped and I could motor into our rented slip. One of you folks recommend a sailing school, and I would second that advice. My wife and I sailed on different Rainbow 24's and really enjoyed the experience - learned a lot in three days. If school is not an option, then I would volunteer to crew for some experienced sailer/racer and ask all the questions I could think of every time that person did something, that as a novice I didn't understand. Sailing is great! fred