A family on a pontoon boat, out for a joy ride, was watching from a short distance away. After I waved with my two hands over my head, they finally realized that I was in trouble, not just waving “hi” and motored over. They were happy to tow me back to the ramp (even took pictures from the back of their boat.)
Of course the wind was blowing directly away from the ramp and it was very apparent that there was no way I was going to be able to sail in the direction of the ramp side shore.
It was a matter of seconds and the rudder was gone.