and survival at sea articles in sailing magazines, but come on. No amount of headsails and what not would have made it a reasonable approach to sail that boat that many miles. They were just starting a 2 -3 week downwind sail for that boat in perfect condition. A jury rigged rudder lasts 10 minutes, then you build the next, and the next. The winners of these events are ingenious jury riggers but most had no choice. With their timing just starting, to turn down rescue would have been foolish and arrogant on the captains part.

The reality of a boat at sea with other people onboard is a whole different thing than a single hander or a well worn sailing couple or a racing boat.

Who in their right mind would say to crew(they chose), people, friends, family, that have put faith and trust in you with their lives,... "I think we can make it to the Caribbean via a month or two long drift that will take us god knows where, eating flying fish, a cup of water a day, constantly trying to build a rudder every minute of the way. But we have at least a 50/50 chance of survival. Whad'ya say"?

I do agree with your statement, "they never should have been there to begin with". I don't think they were prepared personally nor the boat in the condition it was in. They made it half way, had they not lost their first rudder, they would have made it I bet. Why they wanted to, is beyond me.