The general consensus seems to be that these guys were experienced sailors who just had some unfortunate equipment failures. I'm not so sure I believe that.

I recently had the pleasure of breaking both my boards in similar conditions, although I was closer in to shore and thus the seas were lower. I found that the boat was more controllable and stayed flatter without the boards than with. Although the boat crabbed a good bit, I was able to finish the last three legs of an ACAC course.

Not that I consider myself an experienced sailor. I just disagree that the breaking of the boards is what caused the survival situation. More likely these guys were out of control from the beginning, and didn't admit it to themselves until they started breaking stuff.