HYDROVANE

[maltaboy]

Does anyone have an old manual for a early hydrovane self steering (1970s) or know where I might get one, I have already tried hydrovane and was told they work on the same principle, but I have not been able to get it working.

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[joeh]

i have a old model hydrovane ( dont know which year) which has a free swinging counter weight below the vane. no clamp like the present model. i fabricated aux rudder n vane myself. tested a couple times on water doesn't seem to work. whats yr experience?

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[maltaboy]

so far I have been unable to work out how to set it up, its all fitted to the boat at present and I think its all there, its just not steering the boat at all.

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[Kurrawong_Kid]

I have an old Hydrovane and a duplicated set of instructions. If you post your e-mail address to me, I'll scan them and e-mail them to you after the weekend. From experience I know that you must get the boat balanced first, then fix the vane pointing at the wind with the flat part of the vane holder pointing towards the outside of the vessel. The vane should "float" vertically in no wind with the boat stationary. If it collapses to one side or the other then it won't work. To "switch" it off you put a pin through the vane holder on the back which stops the mechanism working. To "srart", pull it out! When set up it will work very well.

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[joeh]

hey kurrawong my email add is joehowe@uobkayhian.com
i have tried what you suggested i.e. make vane vertical while stationary but it doesnt seem to work .also tried it tilted back 5 or 10 degrees while stationary same thing.
could it be that my self fabricated aux rudder is too big n plywood vane too small ,as they are?
thanks mate.

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[Kurrawong_Kid]

I had some early problems and was advised by Derek (?) Daniels, the inventor, to make the vane 10" wide and 6" longer in 4 mm. ply. This has given sufficient power. Will send scans to your e-mai address. Suggest you peruse picture for rudder size!

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[joeh]

thanks alan. received yr email brochure.will make new vane to yr specs. my rudder already made at great cost almost 40 inch immersion 9.5 inch wide.
will further test on water. cheers!

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