Self Steering Gear for Rival 32

O

oliverkinchin

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Aug 2010
Messages
71
Location
British Virgin Islands
www.magneticdeviation.wordpress.com
Hello, does anyone know what the cheapest and best brand would be for self steering gear on a Rival 32. I would be looking at a wind vane operation and not the electric. I am aware of Hydrovane and Aries but wondered if anyone knew of a cheap option or if anyine is selling theirs.

Thank you for all your advice.
 
The cheapest is probably MisterVee (google it) but they are commonly criticised as being insufficiently robust for serious use. I don't know how justified that is. The Jester forum may be a good place to ask.
 
Monitor and Windpilot are others all have their good and bad points.

I have a monitor and like the ability to easily lift and lower the paddle, and use the wind vane a lot because of it. This is not as easy on the hydrovane and it may be a pigh in reverse in the marina withe the paddle down.

Unfortunately windvanes are rare secondhand , and not always cheap
 
Norvane : depending on exchange rate: $2,000
Neptune: £1,600
Boovan: (Dutch windvane) Kit: £800; assembled: £1,300
Navik: ??

However, have you considered using "sheet to tiller steering " method?. Some feel that it is even more reliable than wind vane and more sensitive; google it and see it on you tube
 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
Norvane : depending on exchange rate: $2,000
Neptune: £1,600
Boovan: (Dutch windvane) Kit: £800; assembled: £1,300
Navik: ??

However, have you considered using "sheet to tiller steering " method?. Some feel that it is even more reliable than wind vane and more sensitive; google it and see it on you tube
Click to expand...

Bouvaan, correct spelling, see www.bouvaan.nl
No experience of the brand I'm afraid, have always been very satisfied with my Aries on a Rival 34
 
My second hand Navik came off a Miura 31 which is only slightly less displacement than a Rival 32 (4700kg/5000kg). It worked fine apparently, Navik instructions say it's suitable for any size boat, I think if the boat is well balanced with properly trimmed sails it would be fine. Second hand ones come up occasionally on ebay, one recently went for just over 500 quid. Mister Vee now make some spares for Navik...
 
Hi Oliver
Have emailed you a load of stuff about the Hydrovane.
Before we bought Valerie we knew that a windvane steering system
was something we wanted so investigated in case the boat we bought did
not come with one.

This is one area where I think you definatly get what you pay for. Don't skimp on it - as 4 weeks across the pond is a long way to hand stear if it can't cope with the conditions.
Go for the tries and tested.

We have an Aries on Valerie as you know but I believe the Hydovane may be better in a rolly following or quartering sea. We would have bought one if Valerie did not have the Aries already.

cheers
Neil
 
You could always build your own. My stainless steel version of a Murray design probably cost me between $50 and $100. Mostly just scrap from the workshop. Many hours of labour though and I can see how the professional built ones are expensive.

Steers better than any helmsman once the breeze across the deck reaches about 4 knots.
 
fishermantwo said:
You could always build your own. My stainless steel version of a Murray design probably cost me between $50 and $100. Mostly just scrap from the workshop. Many hours of labour though and I can see how the professional built ones are expensive.

Steers better than any helmsman once the breeze across the deck reaches about 4 knots.
Click to expand...

Do you have the design and drawings please
 
CAPTAIN FANTASTIC said:
Do you have the design and drawings please
Click to expand...

This is the forum for windvane enthusiasts, and several of the manufacturers.

http://www.cruisenews.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=62

I'm Ramona on that forum. Walt Murray's designs can be found at ;

http://www.cruisenews.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=3114&sid=fcc886095906e8631407f5c32ead823c

Walt has unfortunately passed away but his designs are hosted on one of the manufacturers sites, you may have to troll through this thread to find what your after. Most of the designs mentioned in this thread are variations on Walt Murray's designs
 
fishermantwo said:
This is the forum for windvane enthusiasts, and several of the manufacturers.

http://www.cruisenews.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=62

I'm Ramona on that forum. Walt Murray's designs can be found at ;

http://www.cruisenews.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=62&t=3114&sid=fcc886095906e8631407f5c32ead823c

Walt has unfortunately passed away but his designs are hosted on one of the manufacturers sites, you may have to troll through this thread to find what your after. Most of the designs mentioned in this thread are variations on Walt Murray's designs
Click to expand...

Thank you
 
oliverkinchin said:
... has proved it's self numerous times especially on Naomi James's Voyage around the world.
Click to expand...

Oddly enough Naomi James' round-the-world boat, Express Warrior, was anchored here in Mindelo in December, athough I didn't notice what self-steering gear it has now. Lovely-looking boat, but must have been a big lump for single-handing.
 
oliverkinchin said:
Hello, does anyone know what the cheapest and best brand would be for self steering gear on a Rival 32. I would be looking at a wind vane operation and not the electric. I am aware of Hydrovane and Aries but wondered if anyone knew of a cheap option or if anyine is selling theirs.

Thank you for all your advice.
Click to expand...

I personnally would go for a Navik if I could find one secod hand. There cheap enough and reliable on a 32 footer even on the heavy side of the scale. There weakness are the plastic links but I've had one for many years and very reliable. As for the Hydrovane its simply marvellous, but might be a little on the heavy side (50Kgs more or less)... I have one on my boat (AMEL KIRK) and beautifull sailing with it. No lines and acts eventually as an emergency rudder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top