Next time put a pin in both rudder pin holes

I've heard of it happening but I figured it happened to the other guy. Well. . . now I'm the "other guy."

Blazing on a beam to broad reach in high winds, probably causing my father-in-law on board to lose a couple years of what little time he has left in this life, I dropped the main sheet while it was cleated, and when I leaned in to get it the boat capsized on cue, then promptly turtled. As I began righting the boat my father-in-law noticed a rudder was missing. I looked down and saw it was true. Crud!! Yep. The brand-new-just-put-in-yesterday stainless steel rudder pin slipped out because I didn't put a cotter pin of any kind in the bottom hole of the pin. At least the other rudder pin held so I had some steering, but trying to get ashore upwind with a rudder/tiller/cross bar on the tramp interfering simultaneously with the good rudder and main sheet wasn't worth the effort, so a passing motor boat was waved over and graciously towed us 2.5 miles back home.

I have to apologize for laughing. It's freakin' funny. It's axactly the sort of thing that I would do. Actually, I did a similar thing to my father in law before he passed away. We got caught out in Lake Champlain on Colchester Shoal fishing in the spring time years ago in a 16 foot Glastron I bought for $1100. It was a great boat but was a deathtrap in heavy weather and especially in 39 deg water. The lake rolled up to a solid 3 feet with some 4's mixed in. I thought he was going to have a heart attack on me. Laughing it up and hootin'&hollarin' w/ him right next to me probaby made it worse. He never went with me again. Father in laws are great to do things with until you scare them to death! Glad you made it back somewhat unscathed, except for your pride of course.

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"Liquid Plumber's Edition Wave" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z78PozP9dc0

Actually the drama was a rare opportunity to boss my recalcitrant father-in-law around - "Don't do anything unless I tell you to." "I saw that! Unhand that halyard!"

I did that once as well, but didn't sail enough to lose anything. Also don't forget to put the pin in the mast step hinge when unstepping. I did that once and began lowering the mast. I only moved the mast a slight amount when I realized the pin wasn't in the hinge. A slight bit more and the mast would smashed into the ground bending it and possibly seriously injuring someone on the ground.

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

hahaha i love that line.

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1971 H16 (sail #1768)

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thanks for all the help!