This is my last post on this as all things relevant have been said.

I agree that it would be a great responsible thing to do, to have a mate in a motor boat standing by if you are going to go out in 35+ winds and next time I do so I will see if I can get one.

the question of whether or not to sail is an individual choice and to sit on the beach and say "you should have known better" after something happens is meaningless.

I have sailed in 25+ winds and had a great time (because nothing broke) when other sailors sat on the beach with comments like "your nuts". I have sailed in 35 Kts and while exciting was not as much fun because it was at the limit of my boat(n5.8) and my ability to stay upright.

At 40kts I would sit on the beach and admire by buddies CG and MD as they left the beach on MD's H16.

There are 1000s of risks to your life (love the shirt). And the 5.2 sailors did not set off the beach with the idea of losing their boat and being rescued by the coast guard.

We are all responsible for our own actions and nothing forces anyone to do anything except make a choice.

If I choose to sail in 35+ winds and the coast guard chooses to rescue me then what difference does it make to discuss the reasons or to say we made bad choices.

I agree that it is a bad idea to set off from the beach with the intention of being rescued, I suggest we all not do that but I do not know anyone that would.

My last thought: A first time sailor in 8kts is taking the risk of needing to be rescued.