The only topic that gets more topic at Tree Time than auto pilot malfunction is sleep deprivation....one competitor came ashore from his Olson-30 with his saddle and spurs...said he had to go ride a rodeo, then do a vision quest up Mt. Wai'aleale. That was the last we saw of him for 3 days until he returned, barely recognizable and covered in mud. He's the same fellow who steered his planing O-30 under spinnaker across the finish, steering with his AP remote from his hammock swinging on the foredeck..
Sometimes I think I've seen it all. Then I remember the SHTPer who came ashore to Tree Time with his lawnmower, explaining he had to earn some money mowing lawns for rich people.
That wasn't the last of it. One competitor showed up with no anchor and wanted to borrow one. It wasn't he didn't have an anchor. Just his anchor (that apparently passed the safety inspection) was a miniature replica of the real thing that was 5" long and weighed 12 oz. I believe he was tossed by the RC.