Self Steering & the GGR

[Tim Good]

So there has been a lot of issues with self steering gear for the Gold Globe Race but I was surpised to see some had selected a Hydrovane. I personally do have a Hydrovane on a 43ft Seastream which is not dissimilar in cutaway forefoot hull shape to the Endurance or Rustler 36.

I'm happy with it but it does require the boat to be well trimmed. I'm not totally sure a hydrovane would cope as well as a servo pendulum design when surfing down large waves in the southern ocean. There is limit to the power a hydrovane can produce compare to the forces of a S-P type design.

That said, Jean-Luc van den Heede has clearly coped with his so maybe I'm talking BS?

 

[capnsensible]

Sliced bread is insignificant compared to Hydrovanes. :encouragement:

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I must say all the GGR windvane talk has put me onto the Windpilot blog which I'm enjoying

http://windpilot.com/blog/en/

 

[[70521]]

From what I've read there has been more issues with skippers taking the time to set boats up for the trip than the kit!

I've been researching self steering over the last year, for me the Hydrovane leads the pack. While I don't plan a trip to the Southern Ocean I am sure the North Atlantic can put up a good show as well.

 

[vyv_cox]

I must say all the GGR windvane talk has put me onto the Windpilot blog which I'm enjoying

http://windpilot.com/blog/en/

Fascinating blog and brilliantly written.