Vecta Vane self steering.

[NickiCrutchfield]

Having spent years and years trying out, reading up on and dreaming of a wind vane steering gear, the time is getting closer to actually buying one.
I have a very small, light Achilles 24. She only weighs 1180 kg dry and therefore the weight of anything I put on or in her is critical. This radically narrows down the contenders in the wind vane field. Navik was there for a while, but manufacture having ceased, and weighing 20 kg I have gone off them. Sea Feather looks absolutely fabulous but has just gone up in price to nearly £2K. Windpilot light at 13 kg and not too expensive looks good as does the South Atlantic offering (not sure of its weight yet). Which brings me to Vecta Vane. At 9 kg, £950 and made in the UK (as is Sea Feather) it seems to tick all the boxes. Do any of you know about them? I would be very grateful for any information, in particular with regard to their general robustness and quality of manufacture. Performance is also of significant interest of course.
Cheers.
Nicki

 

[fishermantwo]

Nicki,
Try the question on this site,

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


You could also construct one your self using one of Walt Murrays designs. I have one 90% complete at the moment. I'm building mine out of SS tube and thin ss plate. Cedar vane. All up weight will be about 5 to 8 kgs and cost about $20. Its all out of scrap materials in my work shop.
Most of the cost of bought units would be labour. There is a lot of fiddly stuff involved.

 

[Athene V30]

Have you asked on the Jester forum is any have used it?

I have a sea feather and for the 4 days this season that my boat was in action it was fantastic.

Clicky

 

[NickiCrutchfield]

Thanks you both very much for your input.
Fishermantwo, I have always been very interested in making one but somehow never have. I have looked at the Murray designs, but being a man of wood rather than steel it frightens me off. Perhaps I should have a closer look. Any chance of a pic or two of your vane? It would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Nicki

 

[fishermantwo]

Nicki,
Keep an eye on the windvane forum. When I'm finished I will post pictures there. I'm Ramona on that list. Plenty of timber vanes about and a good medium to work with, note there is mention on that list of wooden rigs rotting, water in the end grain of plywood etc. I started off using plumbing bits for the top half but switched to SS for the pivoting bits.
The last couple of years I have been collecting info and photos/videos on vanes and stealing ideas from various models to suit.

 

[NickiCrutchfield]

I will keep my eye on the forum. I have spent some time there today and it is full of good stuff. Thanks for the link. Look forward to seeing your creation and hearing how it works.
Cheers,
Nicki