Information regarding wind vane.

[ianfr]

Hi

I have posted a thread on the Reader to Reader forum about a wind vane system I have recently acquired.

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?409650-Wind-Vane-Steering

Some parts were broken and I am looking to identify the type and if plans are still available, or if someone has the plans, to enable me to get it working again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Ian

 

[Steersman]

Hi Ian

Sorry to be critical, but to me that whole set up looks very vulnerable hanging so far off the stern.

 

[ianfr]

Steersman

Well it managed 3 or 4 trips across the north sea, without a problem. The bit missing were damaged by a German boat in a marina in Holland.
I may well see if a detachable mount is practicable.

Ian

 

[Steersman]

I once saw a windvane system attached using an outboard motor bracket. The idea was that could also double up to mount the outboard motor.

I don't know if it was successful, but I throw it in as a suggestion. Anyway, good luck with it.

I'll stick with my Steersman

 

[Gargleblaster]

Steersman

Well it managed 3 or 4 trips across the north sea, without a problem. The bit missing were damaged by a German boat in a marina in Holland.
I may well see if a detachable mount is practicable.

Ian

In my opinion the most vulnerable part of wind vane system is hitting another object with the wind vane steering and of course marinas can require some very close quarters manouevering . I looked at yours and it doesn't seem as robust as some of the more conventional wind vane steering systems. I'm thinking about the windpilot, aries, monitor and hydrovane. These between them would have completed millions of miles at sea without damage.
Steersman has a point about vulnerability on the stern but as far as reliability is concerned wind vane steering has a remarkable history.
Some of us don't feel we are really sailing until the wind vane takes charge of the steering.