Everyone is a sailor when the wind comes up. Some good, some bad. Lack of a sail doesn't stop the wind from moving your boat. Get out in a canoe on a windy day and check it out. If your canoe is symmetrical and trimmed evenly, you'll be blown sideways across the waves. Give it a rudder or skeg (mounted or in hand), and you'll be blown mostly downwind with the waves. With a good amount of rocker or dead-rise to the stems, it will be less likely to dig in and broach. These things make for a more survivable ride, even - or especially - without propulsion.
It's basic stuff.
So does a basic sea anchor. But that is pretty much the point. He was at the mercy of wind and wave, and not a lot he could do about it, other than just ride it out, with only the most basic steerage.
Gonna have to run that by Starman. I don't recall any mention of sea anchor in Genesis.
