The Etchell Worlds are being sailed off Sydney at present with some of the worlds best sailors involved. If you are interested in high quality racing this is for you - the technoligy available through "trac trac" is amazing check it out at
http://www.etchellsworlds2012.org/worlds/.
While sailing to windward a few kms off Sydney yesterday in 10 -12knts south winds, out going tide, a bit bumpy I gave myself plenty of sea room from the cliffs knowing the weakness in the rudder system in these conditions, when the familiar "bang" was heard being GREY rudder pin No.3 breaking. I managed to replace the pin from the boat by folding 1 out rigger back to create more bouancy in the stern and managed the job quite easily. Being then down to only 1 more new spare I returned to the safety of the harbour. Matt I saved the broken pin for you and will send it to you. I was at the Big Day Out and had the Hobie boys look at my rudder system and was advised it was "normal" and OK.
The message to other AI sailors is that these boats are very limited in there ability to sail to windward in choppy conditions so BEWARE of putting yourself on a lee shore in heavy chop it may put you in grave danger. I refer to the 2010 model AI. The new rudder system may be better but I have my doubts because the pin material is the same the shear is still there and the rudder is much bigger to create more power in the shear motion I hope I'm wrong.
Take a look at the seas on the
http://www.etchellsworlds2012.org/worlds/ during race 3 as these are the conditions to be avoided in a 2010 AI.
Safe Sailing