Navik self steering.

[DownWest]

Been reading a few threads about solo trips; Quite a few (inc the jester lot) used the navik system. It has been out of production for a while, perhaps after Plastimo's hiccups, but I am surprised that nobody has got it back in production.
Any thoughts? It seems a very simple and cost effective bit of kit for the smaller cruiser.

 

[Kelpie]

It's a good and powerful little vane, very lightweight, but not without its flaws. The kickup mechanism on the blade doesn't seem as though it would really work, and it's a right faff to lower and engage the blade whilst at sea, so you tend to leave it down all the time.

 

[TQA]

Mr Vee is the goto guy for Naviks and Navik spares.

He also sells an improved version. Both the original and the improved version work well at least they make it across the Atlantic and are still ticking.

See http://windvaneselfsteering.com/Navik-replacement-parts

 

[Spuddy]

I've just finished making up a Hebridean kit after having good experiences of one during several thousand miles on a chums boat. He went on to do an Atlantic circuit with no trouble from the Hebridean, "A gold medal for Angus" he said. His was built alongside one by another chum....that one's halfway across the Pacific now.
Dunno what the upper size limit is but the two boats referred to are a 33' long keeler and a 36'er. It's pretty light and doesn't weigh back end of boat down. John Fleming has 3 versions available: the plans alone; plans plus prefabbed metal bits; and the whole bundle including timber. I opted for the middle version and used iroko for the frame. Construction is straightforward woodwork; use of a pillar drill makes a big difference in getting holes perpendicular but no other special gear needed.
The important thing is that the performance is excellent in return for a middling outlay and some labour.

 

[ianfr]

I've just finished making up a Hebridean kit after having good experiences of one during several thousand miles on a chums boat. He went on to do an Atlantic circuit with no trouble from the Hebridean, "A gold medal for Angus" he said. His was built alongside one by another chum....that one's halfway across the Pacific now.
Dunno what the upper size limit is but the two boats referred to are a 33' long keeler and a 36'er. It's pretty light and doesn't weigh back end of boat down. John Fleming has 3 versions available: the plans alone; plans plus prefabbed metal bits; and the whole bundle including timber. I opted for the middle version and used iroko for the frame. Construction is straightforward woodwork; use of a pillar drill makes a big difference in getting holes perpendicular but no other special gear needed.
The important thing is that the performance is excellent in return for a middling outlay and some labour.

+1 here, the kit is straightforward to assemble, and system performs well, John Fleming is also very helpful. I have posted some videos of assembling the Hebridean.
https://youtu.be/D9QmzrGPdHE
https://youtu.be/QZfwboucEBg
https://youtu.be/AEEKtOumsgg
https://youtu.be/yyV0EnHoFZk
https://youtu.be/DNcHm6WCGqU
https://youtu.be/5SvZ-QIrzfo

If they help at all then they have been worthwhile making.

Ian

 

[SvenH]

Plastimo stopped selling the Navik in 2007 long before their bankrupcy. Before they offloaded the last ones at a strong discount they cost around 2500 euro's.

If I look at them from a manufacturers standpoint (I am Mister Vee), it is a horrible system to build.
It requires tiny holes, lots of very small welds and a huge number of custom parts.

 

[interloper]

I had a Navik windvane on an International Folkboat. I had the upper legs cut and rewelded at an angle to mount it at the appropriate height above the waterline. The windvane did its job provided there was sufficient wind. Lowering and engaging the paddle was a pain. I deluded myself into thinking that I could lower the paddle and let it drag in the water without engaging it. It seemed there was no way the head of the paddle could drop through the mechanism, but it proved me wrong with the result that I had to buy a replacement paddle.