In for a penny, in four a pound(ing). [I'm not sure this isn't someone putting-on Alpha? It has a very "Bernie" feel to me, but you read it yourselves.]

http://www.sailfeed.com/2014/01/be-good-too-answering-critics/ is the site that Jon referenced above.

The rest of the comments are pretty amusing, informative, and/or irritating. It's a big tent we live in -- but really ;^))).

Here for your amusement is the next Alpha 42 OTB's input:

"hakan usal says:
January 19, 2014 at 11:27 AM

First of all I am very sorry for what you have been thru and grateful to coast guard heros for saving all lives.

Reading your story i was almost in tears. I was a prospect buyer for Alpha 42 and I was eagerly waiting for a test sail which was cancelled by the company due to some autopilot issues.

I have crossed the Atlantic on my own boat McGregor 65 and I have done multiple Bermuda races , offshore passages etc.

I have some criticism for you and the entire crew that overall none of you were well prepared for this trip including the boat. A title of captain does not give anybody an assurance of being capable when things go wrong offshore. First rule of offshore sailing things won’t go as planned and make sure that you always have a plan B. None of the crew had any capability of fixing electrical problems , mechanical issues other than being hard core brave sailors. There should be altenative solid charging system available onboard such as solar panels or wind vane so you can always have electricity on board essential part of using rechargable tools. It seems that even your VHF or SSB was not available other than sat phone and you are extremely lucky that sat phone worked. Many times sat phone coverage offshore is not constant.

Any one going offshore should not leave the harbor without an alternative steering system in place and tested! and spare starter motor , solenoid etc for engine and generator. Replacing a starter motor or the solenoids is a simple task and one of you should pay a mechanic for couple of hrs and learn how to do it . If none of you know how to start an engine or replace a starter motor or solenoid I wonder what you guys are wondering out there. Not being a mechanic is not an excuse for ill preparation.

It seems that owners solely relied on the ability and knowledge of their hired crew. They also should known better that a new boat does not mean that everthing will work as installed ( I rather have an old and tested boat if I am going offshore).

Again I am very sorry for all your misfortune but I hope discussions from this story may save future lives or altogether avoid such situations.
By this means I am very sorry for this couples’ shattered dreams.

Also feel terrible for Alpha boats their reputation and starter business will be negatively effected from this event. They also share a responsibility for not convincing the owners to postpone their trip before testing this boat entirely.

Experience comes from bad judgement and bad judgement arises form inexperience. In this case both of them were on board on Alpha 42."