Hey Harry,
This really isn't about your experience or mine. And, lawyers will always find a way to minimize damages, especially insurance companies.
But, the sport isn't without risk. I too was at the regatta in question, and helped pull in the remains of Dan's boat. Why wasn't I on the water? I thought the conditions were more than I wanted to deal with. Like I said, if I were out there with a 12-year old, I wouldn't have cared what happened to the boat at that point.
Sometimes, we have to accept that our choices might lead to consequences and be willing to accept that.
Mike