Hasler windvane

[bill bligh]

Hi all I am about to put in an offer on a boat with a Hasler windvane as the boat is long keeled with keel hung rudder I am assuming it is one of the SP models can any one please tell me what to look for and if spares are available
Regardes to all.
Bill.

 

[Gargleblaster]

There is a lot of information here on the Hasler windvanes: http://www.jesterinfo.org/haslerselfsteering.html

I would assume as Trevor Leek is looking for spares constantly for Jester that spares are not readily available.

If you are keen to have windvane steering it might be worth thinking about a newer design that is still being manufactured. I am a great advocate of the Windpilot in its various forms. Very reliable very robust, works in light following winds and very good after sales service from Peter Forthmann. The fact that over 50% of the boats that complete the Jester Challenge and the Jester Azores Challenge speaks volumes in my mind. The winner of the 2010 Jester Challenge was using a Windpilot Pacific Light as was the winner of the 2012 Jester Azores Challenge.

 

[whitehall]

spares

There are not many parts to go wrong and being a combination of tufnol and stainless...no corrosion. Unlike my trusty Aries, which is ten years old but two grub screws are totally seized in. The only unique part of the Hasler is the vane shaft gear and worm, but being bronze, should survive, even if the tufnol bearing needs to be replaced. A model engineer might enjoy such things as a fun project. I'd say the Hasler one of the easier wind vanes to use, and I like the way that the vane can easily be disconnected from the 'drive' when it is not required.