I understand the concept of not using a wind vane on the Open 40 but with an electrical autopilot failure guaranteeing a failed attempt you would think that they could have stuck one on to be used under many conditions switching to electrical when it's the better choice. Interesting that both started failing from the start. Not a good track record for the maker of the autopilots.

Interesting that Jessica has a S&S cruising boat that seems to have had less system failures. She only has a little over 1,500 mile to go to be the youngest person to solo non-stop around.

I've been following Abby's problems with her auto pilots for the past couple of months which started soon after she left Cabo. She's been crawling under the cockpit quite a bit in an effort to replace parts and keep them running. I guess after a while you just have to succumb to the reality of the situation. To bad, she's really a trouper. She still has an easy shot of becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate alone. I don't believe going non stop was her original goal but more like something she was talked into attempting because of Jessica.

Here's her last entry in the blog. Not a happy girl. .

http://soloround.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=50