DIY Windvane?

[PaulJ]

Can any one suggest a source of design(s) for a DIY servo pendulm windvane please? This is for a friend who is a competent welder and mechanic but doesn't have the time to design and develop one for himself.

 

[johnsomerhausen]

There are two books on windvanes published in the USA. The first one by John Letcher, is more about the principles involved in the design of one (though he has some what he describes as "cookbook" plans) and the other one is by a chap called Belcher which contains quite a few plans. A friend of mine built one and crossed from Maxico to Hawai, using it on his 29 ft boat.
john

 

[Barnacle]

Try http://www.mindspring.com/~waltmur/self-steering
or http://gamma.nic.fi/~poltsi

 

[Guest]

The mindspring URL should be:

http://www.mindspring.com/~waltmur/Self-Steering/

(case-sensitive!)

Lost in Denmark - a yachtsmans paradise!

 

[Guest]

'Yacht wind-vane steering' Bill Belcher, ISBN 0-7153-8176-8.

the old hardback edition cost £8.95, I believe the current one is paperback and costs considerably more?!

Designed for construction in wood but easily adaptable for metal.

 

[gus]

Every wind vane system seems to be for attaching to a tiller. Is there any arrangement for setting up a wind vane to work on a boat that has a hydraulic system with an inside wheel?

 

[vyv_cox]

The Hydrovane doesn't connect to the rudder at all, only has a small trim tab, so will work with any arrangement.

 

[PaulJ]

Thank you gentlemen. The info is much appreciated, has been passed on and is being followed up.