righting in high winds with river current

If this is posted twice I appologise the post just seemed to disappear.

I sail in the sacramento river delta where the wind is consistently from the west but the current can be either with or against the wind depending on the tide.

Under normal circumstance we have no problem righting the boat. Wind swings the tramp around until it is at least partially downwind and up we go.
Myself and crew total around 350 pounds so it is lots of weight. We uncleat everything no problem.

However under high wind conditions with the tide comming in (the river current is going with the wind) the boat will not pivot around the mast and will not position the tramp downwind relative to the sail. This renders the boat nearly impossible to get up. We can roll it end over end in either direction but it continues to drift with the sail downwind.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting the boat to pivot under these conditions or anyother way of getting it upright.

thanks Shawn

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When the going gets weird the weird turn pro - Hunter S. Thompson

1. Don't capsize.

2. Drift ashore and right the boat from there.

3. Swim to the end of the mast and swim the mast into position.

I have actually tried all three of these suggestions with varrying degrees of success. I have found the best way to not capsize is not to go sailing and this is generally not an option.

Drifiting to shore has been the solution of choice so far but unfortunately has also resulted in some passers by calling the coast guard. We were long gone by the time they got out but I don't think they were very happy about it.

Tried swimming around the mast but with the sails in the water and not wearing flippers this was unsuccessful.

regards Shawn

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When the going gets weird the weird turn pro - Hunter S. Thompson

Give a water maggot. . . er. . . jet ski or stink boat. . . dang it! did it again. . . motor boat a chance to score points with the sailing community by towing the mast into position.

By the way, don't expect the Coast Guard to help right your boat. They rescue people, not boats. Here's Matt Bounds' account of his experience. Matt was lucky compared to a friend whose Hobie 18 turtled off Alameda and the mast got stuck in the mud. After giving up waiting for a passing boat to lend assistance he radioed the Coast Guard. The CG picked him up only, and the next day he salvaged the boat on the rocks near the Oakland Airport; and damaged beyond repair.