Out the channel from Bahia Beach , Ruskin Florida and on towards the Skyway Bridge, the entrance to Tampa Bay Florida.
We knew we would not make a lot of distance so we chose to anchor at Desota Point. A favorite gunk hole of boaters in the mouth of the Manatee river , Bradenton Fl. We were so happy to be underway " finally", that we were doing a lot of just grinning and saying , " we are on our way". Anchored without incident , had dinner, and a good nights sleep.
Second day. Up at 6 Am , Had breakfast and got underway. Cleared Egmont Key , entrance to Tampa Bay, around 8 AM. Opted to go outside into the Gulf of Mexico for about 3 miles so as to get good wind. Had a steady 10 knot west wind. Was moving at about 5 ˝ knots. Were complacent. This time of year you keep a weary weather eye constantly. Storms are a routine you deal with. About 2 PM we noticed a " not significant" cloud coming off land. We discussed what we thought it's potential was and if we thought to reef the sails or not. We decides that it seemed to be not of a threatening nature. We were caught completely off guard. In less than 10 minutes , still not much of a cloud, the wind went from a 10 knot wind to over " estimate" 30 knots in one sudden blast. The blast blew out my main sail, ripped the traveler car completely off its track and put the starboard gunnels in the water. Just short of putting water in the cockpit. We immediately let the sails Out and let to pop in the wind. Started motor, put on life jackets. My crew took the the tiller and I went forward. Got the mainsail down and tied. Then went to bow and completed rolling up the jib and tying it off. This done we tried to turn and head towards land < EAST >. The wind and seas were so heavy that the boat could not be turned. We could only go west, with the wind. The wind and seas did not abate until around 6 AM the next morning. When we finally " somewhat" got control of our course we were at " W 84.58 - N 27.05, did not write down the seconds.