It is almost impossible to right a catamaran without the rig on it. The only one I've ever seen done is a Hobie 14, and it took two guys to do that.

Also, you can't just "pull a pin" on a rig that's got significant tension in it - like a Hobie 20 or an F18.

The only other alternative we had was to tow the boat - slowly - out of the wind, waves and current to where we could right it with the rescue boat. We came very close to doing it in the open water, but the boat would take off on us as soon as it came up and would go right over again.

Would have worked better if they had made sure the traveler was all the way out, but remember, the boat was completely upside down most of the time.