We came back to American Yacht Harbor for the usual (water, do some laundry - altho we heard about a boat pickup service we may use while we are here, charge up the batteries as it has been cloudy) but mostly to meet up with Neil from TropicComm, a service provider for Raymarine, as our Autopilot keeps forgetting which way is North. This has happened three times now since mid February. We cannot sail back to Texas or even South for hurricane season without an autopilot. Well, we could but we don't want to!
When I first got my 26 foot Hunter sailboat back in 2005, I think it was, I could not understand why anyone on a sailboat would need, no less want an autopilot. That was because I was sailing in a small lake where the following applied:
1) We were busy enough tacking (changing direction turning the bow through the wind) not to need something to steer the boat as we needed control of the helm (the steering area).
2) Being off a degree or two meant we would still see the mark, if racing
3) The waves were not big enough to make a significant change in our course

BUT... being on the ocean, the following applies

1) There is little to do for miles and miles and an auitopilot is like another crew member that rarely complains (unless it is malfunctioning)
2) Being off a few degrees over miles and miles could mean missing a whole country / island.
3) The waves will move you 1 degree to the left, then 2 degrees to the right, then 2 more to the right, so it is tool that will make those corrections constantly as you sail.

So my trip to St. Martin several years ago enlightened me as to why having the wheel automatically move, eek, eek, eek, to the left and right is the best thing since pre-spliced ldock ines when it comes to a boat. :O)

I just looked at the weather today and it is as follows for St Thomas:

84 High, 77 Low, Scattered Showers, Winds E 13 - 16,
Enter any day, +/- 1 to 2 degrees or knots of wind speed, as it is relatively the same for all 10 days. Pretty nice, eh?

Now I have a big block of missing dates that I am trying to catch up with from our being out of wifi contact. I think I asked this before, but I will ask it again. Anyone local have any info on the best and most economical way to stay connected in the US or BVI's? If so, comment here or hit the email button on the top right above the map icon.