"Edgar" wrote
| If the wind is pushing you backwards the rudder will work and you should be
| able to regain control. The other boat should have taken avoiding action
| anyway.


Didn't I say there was a strong current going the same way as the wind?
Your in irons. The wind is blowing you backwards. The current is going backwards
about the same speed. There isn't any water going past the rudder. That makes the
rudder not work. It has to have some speed through the water to work. The only thing
that might work is like somebody else said. You can try backing the sail by hand but
that's not easy on a sunfish. It's narrow and tippy.
And your right the Hobie Cat should have turned away and the Optimist should
have held its course.

Cheers,
Ellen