Small boat sailor and strong swimmer here--it is idiotic to sail a 17' dinghy while not wearing a PFD, especially while alone, even in July...
Righting a small boat requires "only" standing on the centerboard...but you didn't flip on a calm day in your bathing suit. You flipped with lots of wind and chop, with the boat blowing away from you, your wet clothes pulling you down, and the general shock/disorientation of the surprise. Add in hypothermic conditions, and the guy's lucky to be alive
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