... for me it was
and so was the second one I broke on Sunday with 20-22mph sustained gusting over 30 - it was my first sail of the season and the first sail on
LadyJane ... and her first sail since being put away in 2008.
We were
RIPPIN !!I checked her out good and on the last walk-around while on the trailer before departure as I rounded the tail and looked at the rudder I had 2 thoughts
1) Hey - I bet thats the original rudder pin
2) I better grab the seat-pack from my other AI which has the spare pins and tools
This one broke not far from shore but the second one I was in the middle of the harbor about 1-1.5 miles from shore in any direction. Water was too choppy and cold to go in the drink so downwind it was with about 10% sail out.
Interesting note - with the sail fully reefed and just me and the sail mast as wind resistance, the whole rig was moving at a GPS'd 3-3.5 mph !! thats when I leashed myself up
Im a strong swimmer but with spray top and bottoms, booties, and a PFD on, I dont think I could have caught it even with the sail fully closed
... after the second pin broke, I reefed enough to not have much rudder pressure and was still flying along.