The Benefits of a Broken Autopilot

For several years I’ve been trying to get other family members to come post on the blog, I finally succeeded!  Give Kathy a warm welcome as a new blog author.   – B.J.

Some might look at a broken autopilot as thousands of  miles of grueling hand steering and misery… but on the positive side:

1. Improve my helmsmanship – I’m definitely getting better at steering a straight compass line with no other reference points, and learning the feel of the helm with different sail trim
2. Comradeship – everyone had to pitch in and we are all taking equal turns.  An awesome team effort
3. Faster – the autopilot can not respond to small wind shifts or surf the wave.  Danielle and Will are quite the speed demons
4. Closer to nature – would Will have been hit by a flying fish cowering under the dodger?  NO!
5. Makes time go faster – watching the compass, steering and of course sleeping when you get your break.  The miles are just flying by.
6. Watch Buddies – we now always have two people instead of one in the cockpit at all times.  It allows us to share the deep sea phosphorescence and stars, late night dolphin visits and of course watch snacks.
7. Good exercise – My arms hurt, my shoulders hurt, my back hurts, my legs hurt, even my feet hurt!  It has to be good for me.