It is so nice to know I ain't the only one
it happened to me on a light wind day also.. I had taken the wife and kids out on the 16.. I had walked up to the van fiddling with something ( I think the Go pro camera which should have been on the action ) when the two year is faintly heard saying..
"mommy da boat"
"RONNIE!!!! THE BOAT!!!!!"
it was about ten feet offshore and moving fast enough.. I guess the main sheet hooked the corner casting and it just wiggled away... Anyway... yeah.. I was moving.. Ran into the water and dove.. Took about four good strokes... inches from the boat.. and it found a little puff...
I said.. " oh gosh.. golly gee... "
About that time I hear John E who was up in the lot peeling out in his car.. He cut the corner through the grass as the boat was headed near a fishing dock.. The boat had just gently sailed up against this dock about 150 feet from where it started.. Then.. as he got out of his car the boat starts peeling away from the dock... I am watching this unfold as I helplessly swim back to shore.....
He makes a flying leap from the dock and saves my day... it was close though.. that boat was rearing to go...
At the end of it all.. It was a great laugh.. We were both sure the boat was going to smack the fish feeder.. or whatever.. but other than that we were in the breakwater area at Clinton lake.. and I don't think the boat could have escaped to the main body... but heck.. after watching it sail away so skillfully.. I dang sure wouldn't have bet against it.
So yeah.. Beach them things properly and unhook the mainsheet...