self steering gear comparison

[calloo]

Can any body advise me on a comparison between the Navik self steering gear and the Cape Horn gear please. My boat is 4 tons displacement. Long keel 26 ft. Similar but a little lighter than a Vertue 11. Thanks

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[clyst]

Dont know about the Cape horn but I do have a Navik and it works well on my long keeler both on and off the wind .

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[calloo]

Thanks for your reply. I wonder if your Navik has a standard length paddle or the long paddle?I assume the long paddle provides more power. I wonder whow I can be sure of which length I need.

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[clyst]

I'm sure mines a standard length . Once it starts to "paravane" plenty of power!!
From the instruction book from the top of the mounting bracket to the water line is 800mm from the top of mounting bracket to bottom of paddle is 1400mm if that makes sense !! If it'll help I'll measure the length of mine .

Cheers



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[calloo]

Thanks Terry . You have been a great help.
All the best
Martin

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[stephenh]

"Self steering under sail" by Peter Forthmann (Adlard Coles - 1998 ) compares 20 or so systems including Navik and Cap Horn types. This could be useful.
The author is biased ( unashamedly) as he is the producer of the Windpilot.
Valuable info anyway.
Stephen

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[charles_reed]

Have had a Navik for some time - would rate it slightly better than the Cape Horn, but not as robust as the others.

It is however far less expensive and lighter than the others.

I'd guess it would have no difficulty at all on your boat. It controls my lightweight' short-keel, larger boat with no difficulty.

Only drawbacks I've had in 8 years of use are:-

1. Totally taken aback (as are all vane steerings) if the boat surfs
2. Generally lightweight construction which results in breakages in normal use (main diecast bearing, wind-vane and trim tab bearing on paddle)
3. Paddle release allows paddle to trip in normal use at medium to high boat-speeds.
4. No use in apparent wind speeds less than 7.5 knots.
5. As with all vane steering gear, a BOL nuisance in harbour and especially when aft-mooring.

Peter Forthmann's book is a very useful overview and he claims his Pacific Light to be lightest vane on the market. He's probably at the LBS and, if your German is up to it, a most communicative chap. Even more amusing, in 6 european languages is Hans of the Monitor vane gear. He refers to "St Aries" but I think his Monitor range is probably the best on the market.

For normal coastal cruising I'd recommend getting a good autopilot before the much higher investment required by a vane gear.

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