Berry Islands to Abacos Islands

This was 69kn mile deep water crossing - light winds and wind directions made it a comfortable but slow crossing. The deep water (10,000 + feet deep) is a deep dark purple. As we had been warned sailing is lots of quiet time with moments of sheer panic. Things were going along great, the boat was on auto pilot, the AIS and radar where set to scan anything within 4 miles of us; so we were on the sky lounge deck listening to a audible book when the auto pilot alerted it was unable to hold course! The boat went into a sharp turn we immediately went to “standby” (manual steering). Still unable to control our direction, we shut down the engine. This when truly realize that you are on on your own: no internet, cell or others to fix your problem but you! We started working through the system and found a rod end on the steering had worked its way loose. It had disconnected from the Rudder from one side to another which was easy to fix. Back on our way!

Sky lounge

Route

Loss of autopilot

Water color of deep purple 10,000 + deep

Steering rod end