Those interested in relative merits autopilot/windvane

[charles_reed]

might like to have a look at this link.

Rather better than the usual subjective opinions you read on the matter.

Broadly I've found a similar effect with my two - excepting the windvane frequently frightened itself and me in surfing conditions:-

http://members.shaw.ca/taonui/windvane.html

 

[rwoofer]

To make it an apples vs apples comparison, he should have got the autopilot to steer to the wind as well. My basic tiller pilot steers to the wind and it's about the only mode I generally use (unless motoring, when I steer to compass).

 

[temptress]

Very interesting reading. Make the case for having both well.

It woudl be interesting to see similar results for a Fin and Skeg type design as I thing the long keel you have hre is helping the Windvane and hindering the autopilot.

i'm currently re-fitting for a high lattitude cruise and we have spent months arguing over Windvane Vs Autopilot and came to the conclusion we needed both.

 

[Jonny_H]

We have both - although the Hydrovane is currently residing in the spare room in huge wooden crates waiting to be fitted!

We have a fin keel and skeg hung rudder - will report back later in the year on how it handles if your interested?

Also, we're thinking of getting a small tiller pilot for the Hydrovane to use when motoring, as it should use a lot less power than the beasty main autopilot.

Jonny

 

[charles_reed]

I find

on a lightweight, fractional-rig boat with narrow deep keel and spade rudder, very little difference from the findings.

Out of the Med, and away from coastal influences, the wind-pilot (Navik) gives me much better speed through the water.

Only trouble it can't maintain course in less than an apparent F3 and it goes quite psychotic if you start surfing.

 

[charles_reed]

Why bother

if motoring, you've amps going into the batteries, so aren't worried about power consumption.

Reduce complexity, wherever you can.

Working hard, (big quartering seas) my Autohelm 4000ST uses an average of 4.5 amps, and under give and take about 2 amps mean.

 

[FAITIRA]

[ QUOTE ]
We have both - although the Hydrovane is currently residing in the spare room in huge wooden crates waiting to be fitted!

We have a fin keel and skeg hung rudder - will report back later in the year on how it handles if your interested?

Also, we're thinking of getting a small tiller pilot for the Hydrovane to use when motoring, as it should use a lot less power than the beasty main autopilot.

Jonny

[/ QUOTE ]
I hope you have my experience of the Hydrovane, first one on a 20t cutter, Atlantic circuit, it worked in the tiniest breath, even on a dead run, we had no autopilot (but the small t/pilot will work well, a friend has one for his HV), on my second HV now, wouldn,t have anything else, wonderful bit of kit, much more valuable than an AP, to the sailor who does not want to be a slave to producing amps.

 

[KellysEye]

>high lattitude cruise and we have spent months arguing over Windvane Vs Autopilot and came to the conclusion we needed both.

Yes you do need both for short handed long distance cruising. Otherwise you end up hand steering in no wind.