Manta 40 up from Puerto Rico to Florida. Just as we crossed the Mona Passage we lost the Auto Pilot. That loss required us to hand steer the 85 plus miles to Ocean World at Pueto Platta. The port captain, for reasons of his own, requires that no one enters after dark or leaves prior to first light. We did the math and figured we could just make it if we could hold an average speed of just over 7 knots with not much wiggle room. We took 30 minute watches all day long so we could stay at the absolute top of our game. Speaking about game, we made it one to see who could cover the most ground in each 30 minute watch. We used the compass as well as trying to stay in the groove or on the back of a swell for as long as we could. We made it just a few minutes before dark. If we had tried to use an I phone, some kind of hand held GPS or hand bearing compass we would have spent the entire night hanging out off shore. You couldn't beat a good old fashion compass in a situation like that. Does hanging out hove to at night constitute a safety issue? I think not but it sucks never the less.