A lack of energy generated by solar panels and wind generators aboard 16-year-old Abby Sunderland’s Category 0 Open 40 sailboat, Wild Eyes, has forced the teen sailor to reroute to Cabo San Lucas to restart her solo cruise around the world.

Photo by: abbysunderland.com Journey Restart — After trouble with solar panels and wind generators, Abby Sunderland picked up “a battery or two” in Cabo San Lucas, and hopes to reboot her nonstop solo circumnavigation plans.

After faring well in the early part of what was expected to be a six-month-long cruise, Sunderland hit a snag when her onboard energy-generating devices were not producing enough power.

Sunderland reported that she would be heading to Cabo San Lucas Jan. 31 to add a “battery or two,” along with more fuel. She will restart her voyage from Cabo San Lucas once the items are on board.

The teen began her journey Jan. 23 after months of preparing for the nonstop solo circumnavigation. Sunderland is the younger sister of Zac Sunderland — who held the title of the youngest person to solo circumnavigate the world last year, before England’s Mike Perham grabbed the title, finishing a few weeks later.

Abby Sunderland had managed to catch 15- to 20-knot winds during the first leg of her trip, giving her time to adjust to her Category 0 Open 40 Wild Eyes and being alone at sea.

Her cruise route includes sailing around Cape Horn, if weather conditions allow. The trip will take her south of Cape Horn, through the South Atlantic on an eastern course, past the Cape of Good Hope, through the Indian Ocean and into the Pacific. Abby Sunderland said she intends to be home by spring 2010.

For more information on Abby Sunderland, visit her Web site: www.abbysunderland.com.