I have been thinking back about the separations I have had in 25 yrs... only one came without the boat going over and that was a N20 upwind on the trap in big waves when I bounced off the hook. For capsize, a simple line to keep attached to fast drifting boat would have been best. Something to keep up when the tramp windage is dragging the boat faster than you can swim with a life jacket.
On the Nacra 20 you usually have about 10 critical seconds to remake contact with the boat if you go over in heavy winds (20+) before it orients into the wind and and it takes off on it's side. On lighter boats, A-cats F16s, etc....it's a done deal by the time you resurface on the water. I was separated from my A-cat for the first time earlier this year and was astonished at how quickly the boat accelerated away. When I went over, it was a roll-over coming around A-mark in about 12 or 14 knots of breeze and I just went off the back of the boat thinking no big deal - the boat would have to spin 180 to get the mast pointed into the wind before it could boogie. I hit the water swimming but didn't stand a chance. I was racing with a bunch of other boats so it wasn't a big deal - but it was surprising how quickly they can get away.
