22 January - Day #50. It's usually not a good thing if you're taking apart a boat while it's underway. However, when you're underway all the time there's not an option. That's why, on a beautiful and calm day like this, I find myself in the lazarette removing the autopilot's drive arm. Our autopilot is almost in constant use. So, when it stops working that's something the crew notices. A very smart freind claims that "99% of all electrical problems are mechanical in origin." That was certainly the case here--a failed retaining clip inside the drive arm. After putting in a spare clip, reassembling and reinstalling the drive arm, the autopilot was back online. A happy crew on the hook in Daytona Beach, FL. 28nm today and 1185nm total. DBH
