> The seat was the least of his worries. I believe that the author was
> indicating that he was about dead when the Coast Guard came to rescue him.

> The Coast Guard only came because someone on shore was watching him with a
> telescope and noticed that he went over and did not come back up.

> Only a damm fool practices alone in big water. (That is different than
> traveling alone in big water.)

You are right, of course. Perhaps I should say "his only lament in relation to the seat...". He went out in marginal conditions for his ability, with several key peices of gear missing. He certainly was in pretty bad shape when the coast guard arrived. I got the impression he might have made it out though...