All I've been arguing is that a more resourceful, resilient crew could have likely completed the passage, as the couple aboard EGRET did... Or, as these folks did:

http://www.sail-world.com/news_printerfriendly.cfm?Nid=29988

I seriously doubt the Survival of the crew of VIEWFINDER was at stake, here... The boat had not been holed, they were not sinking, the rig was still in the boat, the engine still running, as far as I know... The issue of whether to continue came down primarily to the matter of Discomfort, or Inconvenience, seems to me... They simply decided attempting to save the boat wasn't worth the hassle... It's their boat, fair enough, but others might feel differently...

The skipper made his bed prior to departure, by electing to sail with an inexperienced crew who would mutiny if faced with such a challenge... Shit can happen when sailing across an ocean - especially on a boat that had already lost its rudder TWICE during the previous few months... To attempt such a demanding passage with a green crew is hard to fathom. Ray Leonard was forced to abandon the Westsail 32 SATORI during the Perfect Storm, due to his panicked crew calling MAYDAY without his authorization, so he likewise paid a heavy price for his poor choice of crew...

But, it's all good, everyone is safe, the owners of VIEWFINDER are already shopping for a new boat, the insurance company will happily pay out, no doubt... And, who knows, some lucky guy or girl may wind up with a free CS 36, before all is said and done...

Another Modern Cruising Feel-Good Story, Happy Endings All Around... (grin)