DIY WINDVANE SELF STEERING

ChrisE

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Get yourself a copy of "Self-Steering for Sailing Craft" by John S Letcher jnr. Now out of print but a search through Amazon will probably find you a copy. That's how I got mine.

It's a few years old but the principles haven't changed any.
 

davidbains

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The first question is where is your rudder and can it be fitted with a trim tab!?
If so you can consider a half way solution and buy an air vane and wires from Scanmar.
Otherwise consider making your own auxilliary rudder with trim tab.
Are you contemplating long offshore passages?
 

pyrojames

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Also check "Yacht Wind Vane Steering" by B Belcher, David and Charles London, 1982. It gives a good range of different gear for the DIYer from trim tabs through to servo pendulums. The Amateur Yacht Research Society also has some good stuff. I thought long and hard about building one and then bought a Monitor instead. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 

bendyone

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there was a piece in pbo last year about a diy system that looked simple to make, I think it was around aug/sep.
 

MIKE_MCKIE

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Thanks to all for your very constructive replies. I have searched some & getting plenty of material so that should keep me quiet for a while. Passage is hopefully round UK next year, either before or after the JAC, if I can persuade SWMBO to let me go of course!
Boat is a long keel Bowman 26, similar to a slightly beefed up Folkboat, so raked transom will make trim tab a "challenge" as they say on management courses. Was looking at servo pendulums & reckon there is enough data about to make one, although with increasing years & decreasing eyesight, maybe not! We will have a go.
Thanks again guys, much appreciated.
Mike
 

CPD

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It is / was. Designer/seller (Sven Heesterman) is a very nice and very helpful chap. I can highly recommend him and his system if this is the way you want to go (says he who hasnt tested his kit !). I am sure it will work very well. The jury is still out however regarding "atlantic" durability.
 
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