Hydrovane self steering on heavier displacement cruising boats.

[mocruising]

I am thinking of purchasing a Hydrovane for our circum navigation. The alternative would be a second independent auto pilot and self steering. I fitted a Hydro vane to my last boat a Warrior 40 it was no problem but my present boat is at the top end of the Hydrovane's recommended displacement. Full up we are about 22 tonne. Has anyone used a Hydrovane on a heavier displacement boat or any other self steering device on a heavy displacement boat for that matter. In addition I would have to offset the mounting this also causes me some concern although I am advised that it should not be a problem.

 

[KellysEye]

We have a heavy displacement (18 imperial tons) steel ketch and a Hydrovane - it's the best bit of kit on the boat (closely followed by SSB) - we would get exhausted without it. If Hydrovane thinks it should work on your boat I'd be inclined to believe them. We know a number of boats with the vane offset and it doesn't appear to cause problems but I think it takes them a little longer to set up.

I'm sure you know this but if you do go the autopilot route, it will break at some point (they don't like big ocean waves). So buy one at least one size bigger than quoted for your boat and carry a complete spare unit. Don't buy a unit that fits behind the steering wheel (e.g. Simrad) because if you need to do any maintenance at sea you have to take the steering wheel off - so you have no autopilot and no wheel, a brilliant design concept.

Good luck with the circumnavigation, any idea when you are leaving (we're currently in Venezuela)?.