A few weekends ago we spotted a beach cat (caper cat I think) with its sails down bobbing around in the middle of the bay, about 15 knots blowing and a bit of chop.

We sailed up to them to ask them if they needed a hand but they were playing with the forestay and said they were fine. They weren't fine so we sailed around within sight of them with the occasional sail past to double check they didn't want a hand. Eventually the mast fell so now they were trying to step the mast! No way was it going to happen with the chop that was about.

Eventually a couple of yachts congregated and convinced them to accept a tow back to shore. Lucky, because we blew up our rudder box and were in no state to tow them back upwind. They'd drifted deep into the bay, if they'd gone any further, there wouldn't of been as many yachts around to help (they were in the middle of the channel) and may've ended up on the other side of the bay in the middle of the night.

Unfortunately an experience like that discourages enthusiastic potential sailors and gives sailing a bad reputation. Lots of wind may look like fun, but without some basic skills, sailing is tricky.

If you see n00bs getting or about to get into trouble, stop and help them.