Users of WIndpilot Pacific wind vane : comments?

[h2opixels]

I'm considering a Windpilot Pacific for an Ovni 30.
Any comments from existing users welcomed
Thank you,
David

 

[Roberto]

I think you will only find very satisfied users, I am one anyway,( which is also usually true for most other brands of wind vanes).
FWIW, in my marina there is a small ovni (possibly a 30?) with a windpilot, they have a couple of round atlantic trips, they had a broken wooden pendulum blade replaced by a piece of something-wood from inside the boat.

 

[Gargleblaster]

I have used Windpilot Pacific on two boats, a Rival 34 and a Jeanneau 42 and a Windpilot Pacific Light on a UFO27. I have also used an Aries and a Monitor on two different long keel boats. Of all the Windvane Steering systems I've used I like the Windpilot best, mainly because of the way it bolts onto the transom and doesn't move. Of all the systems I've tried it seems to be the most robust. I had a complete knock down mid Atlantic in a F10 with the Windpilot Pacific Light and it was the only thing above decks that was not damaged, although it was knocked off course.

 

[h2opixels]

One the plus points for me is the simplicity of the bracketing/mounting for the Windpilot, especially for scoop shaped transoms.

Also keen to hear about maintenance tips learned from real world experience (in addition to the items provided by Windpilot user manual)!

THANKS ...

 

[Boo2]

I have used Windpilot Pacific on two boats, a Rival 34 and a Jeanneau 42 and a Windpilot Pacific Light on a UFO27. I have also used an Aries and a Monitor on two different long keel boats. Of all the Windvane Steering systems I've used I like the Windpilot best, mainly because of the way it bolts onto the transom and doesn't move. Of all the systems I've tried it seems to be the most robust. I had a complete knock down mid Atlantic in a F10 with the Windpilot Pacific Light and it was the only thing above decks that was not damaged, although it was knocked off course.

Hi Glayva,

Do you have any pics you could post of the installation on your UFO 27 ?

Thanks,

Boo2

 

[vyv_cox]

I had one for several years but sold it when we arrived in the Mediterranean. Ours is shown here http://windpilot.com/n/wind/en/foto/paci/Sadler34 the one with the Welsh flag on the vane. I loved it, easy to use once we had practised a bit and got used to it. No transatlantic experiences but several 24 hour+ passages using it.

 

[Roberto]

I'm considering a Windpilot Pacific for an Ovni 30.
Any comments from existing users welcomed
Thank you,
David

you may have seen this already, anyway..

http://windpilot.com/n/wind/en/foto/paci/Ovni30

 

[Gargleblaster]

Hi Glayva,

Do you have any pics you could post of the installation on your UFO 27 ?

Thanks,

Boo2

Yes, the only one easily accessible is on teh Windpilot site here:

http://www.windpilot.com/n/wind/en/foto/lite/Ufo27

and there are some of the OVNI 30 here:

http://www.windpilot.com/n/wind/en/foto/paci/Ovni30

 

[Georgio]

Only positives from me, I have a WindPilot Pacific fitted that has done many miles of offshore sailing. Much more powerful and better in light winds than the Hydrovane I have also used (although the Hydrovane does has it's benefits such as emergency steering). The Monitor is functionally similar and works just as well but is heavier, harder to mount/dismount (if you plan to do that semi-regularly) and is visually not as attractive IMO.

You will not be disappointed with a WindPilot.

 

[macd]

An excellent bit of kit, as others have said. I did an Atlantic circuit with one, mostly single-handed, without the sightest problems. In all it sailed around 20,000 miles without a significant malfunction.
Peter Forthmann, owner of the company, is a mine of information and was always helpful.

 

[h2opixels]

you may have seen this already, anyway..

http://windpilot.com/n/wind/en/foto/paci/Ovni30

No, but GRAZIE ... David

 

[Roberto]

An excellent bit of kit, as others have said. I did an Atlantic circuit with one, mostly single-handed, without the sightest problems. In all it sailed around 20,000 miles without a significant malfunction.
Peter Forthmann, owner of the company, is a mine of information and was always helpful.

Hello Mac, is it you on the outside?

No, but GRAZIE ... David

Prego!

The above picture was taken at Horta, you see three boats with Windpilots side by side (one is mine, one other possibly our highly esteemed Macd), quite a number of boats were equipped with windvanes, I'd say Windpilot numerically higher (?).

regards
r

 

[macd]

Hello Mac, is it you on the outside?

No, I'm still tucked up indoors with a cuppa
But, yes, that was my Windpilot.

 

[MARNEN]

I am a very satisfied owner. Unable to compare with other makes. However one of the most usefull bits of kit we have. Very usefull with an autohelm when motoring.

 

[cindersailor]

I bought a second hand WP Pacific a couple of years ago (eBay). Could not resist a bargain, although it was obvious that it was quite an old unit and was concerned that it would be problematic to get back to a serviceable condition. However, there was zero corrosion and it all came apart and went back together with no problems. All of the stainless bolts had been coated with lanolin at manufacture which proved to be very effective. Contact with Peter F. confirmed that it was a mid 80s model. Very well engineered and obvious that everything is over specified to cope with extreme conditions. Fitting was very straightforward and it performs faultlessly down to F2 and about 2 kts boat speed. Thoroughly recommend. Boat is a Varne 27.

 

[Siosarnoir]

I have a Windpilot on my Rustler 36 .It has been fantastic, it helmed for 85% of the time on my trip to the Azores . It must be 14 years old now but has needed very little maintainance .

 

[Boo2]

Yes, the only one easily accessible is on teh Windpilot site here:

http://www.windpilot.com/n/wind/en/foto/lite/Ufo27

Thanks for that, was vaguely considering getting wind vane self steering gear for my own boat (UFO 34) which has a very similar transom.

Boo2

 

[michael_w]

I was shipmates on an S&S Swan 40 fitted with a Windpilot. It wasn't bad provided the wind was at least 10kts and hull speed 4kts. It's inability to work in the lightstuff earned it the nickname of 'The sulky Hun'. The poor light weather performance is probably down to the fact it has simple bushes rather than ball bearings like the Monitor. In any event The Windpilot was brilliant compared to the POS Hydrovane that my current boat has.

 

[parsifal]

I have a Monitor. One of the best things I ever bought although it was very expensive. Maintenance free, no aluminium to corrode, easy to use, very sensitive in light airs.

Downside : heavy and looks horrible!

 

[Gargleblaster]

I was shipmates on an S&S Swan 40 fitted with a Windpilot. It wasn't bad provided the wind was at least 10kts and hull speed 4kts. It's inability to work in the lightstuff earned it the nickname of 'The sulky Hun'. The poor light weather performance is probably down to the fact it has simple bushes rather than ball bearings like the Monitor. In any event The Windpilot was brilliant compared to the POS Hydrovane that my current boat has.

I find that I can get teh windpilot to work in a following wind down to 2 knots[apparent]. The issue is really with waterspeed as unless you are doing about 1.5 knots there is not enough force to move the paddle. With the Pacific Light I had to use a bit of bungy to keep the windvane upright in very light winds as I felt the counterweight was a bit light, no such problems with the Pacific itself.