i have raced boats through tropical storm and huricanes, don't be stupid and get your kites down, with big pressure changes the wind directions that veer dramatically. a bunch of years ago i was doing a race up the east coast off of southern tip of NJ and a tropical storm chase us down, saw a 60' race boat gets its rig ripped off the deck by a veering gust 25 to 50+ in a instant, could'nt imagine having a kite up when that stuff hits. always live to fight another day