Definitive list of windvane options?

[Kelpie]

There seems to be a huge range of different windvanes available; I keep coming across ones I had never heard of. So I reckon it could be useful to compile a list of all the various options, including out of production models that are readily available secondhand.

So here's the ones I've come across:

Ares
Hydrovane
Monitor
Wind pilot
Mr Vee
Hebridean
Neptune
Sea Feather
Navik (out of production)

Any more for the list?

 

[Tradewinds]

Cape Horn self-steering
http://caphorn.com/en/welcome/

 

[macd]

As well as the Cape Horn site, well worth visiting this page on Windpilot's site:
http://www.windpilot.com/n/wind/en/serv/down

Here you can download (for free) "Self-Steering Under Sail', an excellent book which includes a comprehensive round-up of all wind steering systems.

 

[{151760}]

Sailomat
www.sailomat.com

 

[temptress]

There seems to be a huge range of different windvanes available; I keep coming across ones I had never heard of. So I reckon it could be useful to compile a list of all the various options, including out of production models that are readily available secondhand.

So here's the ones I've come across:

Ares
Hydrovane
Monitor
Wind pilot
Mr Vee
Hebridean
Neptune
Sea Feather
Navik (out of production)

Any more for the list?

HP

Why bother with a wind vane these days.odern autopilots are extremely reliable, you can buy 3 for the cost of a wind vane and with the power charging systems on boats these days power is no longer an issue.

 

[Sandy]

Why bother with a wind vane these days.odern autopilots are extremely reliable, you can buy 3 for the cost of a wind vane and with the power charging systems on boats these days power is no longer an issue.

Consumer Choice

 

[JumbleDuck]

Sea Feather

I was about to say that Sea Feather was also out of production, but I have checked and they are back on the market again with new owners.

Why bother with a wind vane these days.odern autopilots are extremely reliable, you can buy 3 for the cost of a wind vane and with the power charging systems on boats these days power is no longer an issue.

I met someone on a boat like mine doing a circumnavigation of the UK. Between Essex and Bangor NI (via Land's End) he had gone through three new tiller pilots. Windvanes are silent, reliable, consume no power and they are mesmerising to watch.

 

[macd]

Why bother with a wind vane these days.odern autopilots are extremely reliable, you can buy 3 for the cost of a wind vane and with the power charging systems on boats these days power is no longer an issue.

As well as agreeing wholeheartedly with Jumble's comments (esp "mesmerising"), please direct me to an electric system costing under £1000 which can reliably steer a 60-footer for months on end.

 

[dave_gibsea]

I put a thread on a couple fop days ago re plans or a kit for wind-vane steering. I don't like relying on electronics either and I only have a small engine (with a small alternator) for charging. Also, I like the idea of the wind-vane. My research (so far) hasn't come up with one specifically designed for transom hung rudder although I understand the early ones were developed for this type. I guess these days most boats are well over 30ft and don't have transom hung rudders....

 

[LoneHort]

Dave, If I were you I would get the upper unit of the Scanmar AutoHelm https://www.scanmarinternational.com/auto-helm and hook it up to a trimtab on your transom hung rudder.

 

[dave_gibsea]

Thanks LoneHort, that looks like the best option I've seen so far!

 

[Minchsailor]

...My research (so far) hasn't come up with one specifically designed for transom hung rudder although I understand the early ones were developed for this type. I guess these days most boats are well over 30ft and don't have transom hung rudders....

I have a Rustler 36 with a Hydrovane mounted off-centre. Works well, no problems on either tack (a previous owner took it around the world).

 

[hrchivers]

I put a thread on a couple fop days ago re plans or a kit for wind-vane steering. I don't like relying on electronics either and I only have a small engine (with a small alternator) for charging. Also, I like the idea of the wind-vane. My research (so far) hasn't come up with one specifically designed for transom hung rudder although I understand the early ones were developed for this type. I guess these days most boats are well over 30ft and don't have transom hung rudders....

I have a sea feather on Sandpiper (Sadler 29). It is fine with the transom-hung rudder, and a sensible weight for a small boat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FubCRf4YOiM

 

[JumbleDuck]

My research (so far) hasn't come up with one specifically designed for transom hung rudder although I understand the early ones were developed for this type.

My rudder would be transom hung if I had a transom! Sea Feathers work just fine mounted around a rudder.

 

[steveeasy]

Haslar is another to add to the list. why bother, well far better to have a back up and the sense of achievement in using something that requires no electric is reason enough. Oh currently searching for spare parts for an SP2!!.

Steveeasy

 

[Kelpie]

Have stumbled upon another- the Fleming.

 

[Triassic]

Dave, If I were you I would get the upper unit of the Scanmar AutoHelm https://www.scanmarinternational.com/auto-helm and hook it up to a trimtab on your transom hung rudder.

That might rather depend on the design of his transom hung rudder. For a trim tab design to work effectively the rudder needs to be balanced, and if it is you can't just add a trim tab to the trailing edge as this alters the balance...... In practice you need to cut the tab out of the existing area and this is a bit of a gamble unless you're really confident about what you are doing.

 

[Porthandbuoy]

There's the Hydra Auto Steer trim-tab and servo systems. I've got one of their trim-tab systems on my 26' long-keeler. Works well.
Hydra Auto Steer

 

[rodwhite]

add HOLLAND WINDVANE to list

 

[Kelpie]

add HOLLAND WINDVANE to list

Thanks, another one I'd never heard of. Some really interesting pictures of installations. I like the one where you swap out the windvane for a ladder.