Marco64
Member
Will travel anywhere in UK for Used Hydrovane in good working order
Lucky Jack thank you- yes please do provide info. I don’t seem to find a PM button… my mobile is 07766 057847 if you could text / whatsapp / as you prefer it would be great!
Regards
I’m interested in the Sailomat 601, I will send you a PMDo you really want a hydrovane?
Why?
I have an unused Sailomat 601 that is condiderably superior in almost all respects.
Hallo Slowboat35, would appreciate if you can list the difference and benefits of Sailomat 601 compared to Hydrovane. Thanks in advance / DieterDo you really want a hydrovane?
Why?
I have an unused Sailomat 601 that is condiderably superior in almost all respects.
I had a Sailomat 601 for a number of years; great piece of kit which when correctly set-up and as good as other Servo-Pendulum systems (Monitor, Aeries, Wind Pilot) but there are some fundamental differences compared to a Hydrovane:Hallo Slowboat35, would appreciate if you can list the difference and benefits of Sailomat 601 compared to Hydrovane. Thanks in advance / Dieter
Hi, I thought my review was balanced but for the the avoidance of doubt; if I had a choice I would buy a HV ?May I add a bit of balance regarding three points (after all this was my thread): the HV rudder when not in use can be removed and stowed aboard.
All the HV setups that failed in the GGR had been crudely modified by the owners for reasons better known to themselves.
And finally the second-hand prices for HV systems are nowhere near that.
I have almost finished my second-hand install… brackets ready on transom- still looking for second-hand “L” shaft and latest size rudder : may need to buy these new before I set off for long trips (but was able to sell the short shaft and earlier version rudder for decent amount of cash).
Worth noting that the aftersales and technical advice from HV is second to none!
Slowboat by name… slow reader by nature; like I said in the conclusion of my comment… “finally you will find as many people will swear each is better than the other”Additional points I'd mention...
Sailomat can be used as an emergency rudder with a larger blade that slips over the existing one. I've never seen one but they may be available second-hand, and making one would not be beyond the ability of a reasonably capable DIYer.
SM works fine off-centre, and considerably off centre too. I'd be astonished if HV was as good for that (due to the already small but now much dimnished forces it can apply to the water)
Servo Pendulum is by nature a FAR more powerful means of steering a boat than an aux rudder system thus has a faster and more positive response.
Servo pendulum works FAR better downwind, especially in low relative windspeeds where an AR system is all but useless and is much better in light airs in general due to the vastly larger corrective forces available - so much safer to use with a spinaker which with an aux rudder can be pretty risky. (SP systems are powered by boat speed, wind is only used to 'signal' the correction so wind spped is not all that important. AR systems use wind force on the vane alone to correct the steering, so on a fast-moving boat in low relative wind - ie downwind - where rudder corrections need to be forceful it has little power to do anything. Even in strong wind the forces derived from the vane are not large compared to the SP's blade being deflected by the slipstream of water)
SP systems do not suit all boats or all users. Leading lines to a tiller is usually dead easy, a wheel is a bit more complex and a centre cockpit can make it very difficult/impractical to set up. Some people object to lines across the cockpit.
SM detaches entirely from transom in moments if required, HV cannot be easily removed.
HV rudder 'can' be removed but you need to either swim, use a dinghy or be backed up to a dock to do it.
I don't know who considers the SM as not an ocean going windvane. That's news to the thousands of ocean crossings they've made over several decades
SM is only not approved for the GGR because it didn't exist in 1966 or whenever the technology was frozen.
eebygum, I'm intrigued that you now say a good Sailomat can be had for £1500 - 2000. So how come you scoffed at me three weeks ago for asking that and tried to tell me my as-new one was only worth £500? Trying it on yorkshire style, were we?
That'll be unexpected news to the people who make or use Hydrovanes!-Both are servo pendulum systems but the HV operates with the rudder tied off...
I graciously admit to making a typo that the HV was servo-pendulum, I was clearly wrong. Thank you for the correctioneebygum, the comments I made are simply neutral statements of fact as anyone capable of reading and understanding plain English, or who is familiar with wind vane systems can clearly see. ......
Thanks for the quick response!I had a Sailomat 601 for a number of years; great piece of kit which when correctly set-up and as good as other Servo-Pendulum systems (Monitor, Aeries, Wind Pilot) but there are some fundamental differences compared to a Hydrovane:
-Both are servo pendulum systems but the HV operates with the rudder tied off (ie the tiller or wheel is locked so it cannot move) and the dedicated HV rudder steers the boat
-Because of the above the HV has less lines running through the cockpit which some people prefer, particularly if you have a center cockpit
-The 601 has its servo blade at an angle, whilst the HV is vertical; this is very helpful to stop the blade getting caught-up in weed
-The HV can generally be mounted more off-center than the 601 design
-The 601 blade can be swung up into the vertical position for storage/when not in use; this is very helpful when maneuvering in marinas and motoring
-HV can operate as an emergency auxiliary rudder, the 601 does not
-HV is still in production and spares available 601 is not
-A good secondhand 601 maybe found for between £1500 - £2000; a HV could be double this
-HV are generally considered to be a more long ocean going windvane; ie it is certified for use in the GGR but the Sailomat systems are not. They do need to be installed correctly however (a couple of the GGR entrants have had issues as a result of the way the HV systems have
and finally you will find as many people will swear each is better than the other.... The size of your boat, cockpit layout, wheel or tiller, cruising area (e.g downwind trades, coastal or ocean sailing), rudder (skeg, transom hung etc) and finally budget will all make a difference to your choice.