Wind Vane, Autopilot, or both?

[peter2407]

Hi

Might be a daft question so apologies if it is. My boat has an ST 6000 Autopilot, but I am concerned about power so I am considering a wind vane. Is it a case of one or the other, or can I have both? If yes what needs to be considered? Thanks as ever.

 

[Tranona]

Depends entirely on the type of sailing you want to do. Windvane comes into its own on long passages when you want to use as little energy as possible. An ST 6000 can be set up to steer to the wind if you have working wind instruments as well as steering to a compass bearing or waypoint. If the boat is well balanced power consumption may not be as high as you think, and the autopilot is virtually essential if you want to motor without steering all the time.

So, most people find an autohelm almost essential on a cruising boat and a windvane worth considering if you plan to do long passages under sail. There are many other things to consider when choosing a windvane, particularly matching it to your type of boat. See the other thread lower down for a wider discussion on the subject.

 

[peter2407]

Whoops - similar thread-itis

Thanks Tranona

 

[cliffdale]

I'm going for both.

The answer boils down to the type of cruising you intend to do. The odd channel crossing, the Autohelm will meet your needs.

I'm planning some long distance sailing, down to the Med and may be onto the Atlantic Islands.

The generators I'm taking will cover the power consumption, but in the unlikely event something happens to the batteries, I be in a difficult position.

So, as part of steering insurance, I think its worthwhile in the expense of both systems.

I have on mind that they hold their value well, and on my return, I will sell the system on to recover probably more than 50% of the cost.

Cliff

 

[srm]

I have fitted both, on all of my boats (including a Prout catamaran) since the mid 1970's. Wheel or tiller pilot for motoring and when course is critical as in fog amongst islands. Wind vane for sailing, nice and quiet with no drain on the batteries.
Most of my sailing is either single or two handed, around UK and Scandinavia, with passages rarely lasting more than 2 nights at sea; but even for an afternoon sail the wind vane can make watch keeping more relaxed.
The best system was an auxillary rudder windvane system with a small tiller pilot coupled to the rudder for motoring. Unfortunately, Windpilot stopped making this system many years ago as they require a balanced hull which is rare amongst modern boats.

 

[charles_reed]

Having both I'd suggest a windvane only comes into its own for long ocean passages and is utterly useless in the Med.

Many people economise on the autopilot - for wheel steered yacht, a drum on the wheel is really a toy so you need one direct acting onto the steering quadrant. At this point you come into really serious money which brings the wind-vane back into making economic sense.

As I have single-handed for the last 60K nm the autopilot is an essential bit of kit.

My early 4000ST has done most of those miles (it's about 20years old) after a succession of all-in-one autopilots all of which failed within 12 months of use.

PS Don't even consider a wind-vane for a boat that's likely to surf!!!

 

[V1701]

I've used my Navik on shorter trips, still very useful, guess it depends how much of a faff it is to set up. It's nice to watch them working steering the boat...

 

[Daydream believer]

Having both I'd suggest a windvane only comes into its own for long ocean passages and is utterly useless in the med

Why do you say that? I use my Aeries for short hops once sailing nearly always use it
Have not sailed in the med though but i assume you are saying it is not so good in light winds- possibly true- but i heard that the wind in the med can be very fierce- after all it is a big area. In that respect a wind vane comes into it own

 

[firstascent2002]

Both...

No wind to very light airs....autopilot is the happy friend

3 right up to lying ahull wind vane is the happy friend.

Very few people who take the expensive plunge ever really regret doing it.

 

[temptress]

Hi

Might be a daft question so apologies if it is. My boat has an ST 6000 Autopilot, but I am concerned about power so I am considering a wind vane. Is it a case of one or the other, or can I have both? If yes what needs to be considered? Thanks as ever.

If you can afford it have both., if you have to choose then IMO go for the Autopilot.

 

[Kibo]

If can afford it, go for both.

I have a ST6000 and an Aries windvane in my Mason 33, and use both. If short passages, say two or three hours, I use the Raymarine. For further trips or channel crossings, the windvane.

 

[firstascent2002]

I agree, autopilot first for day to day sailing . . .

But you won't regret the wind vane . . . ever

 

[Tranona]

Why do you say that? I use my Aeries for short hops once sailing nearly always use it
Have not sailed in the med though but i assume you are saying it is not so good in light winds- possibly true- but i heard that the wind in the med can be very fierce- after all it is a big area. In that respect a wind vane comes into it own

Yes. it can get blowy in the Med, but most people are sensible enough to avoid passage making in such conditions. For most people 90% of the time is spent not moving, and of the other 10% much is under motor. Good motorsailing and light air drifting are priorities, rather than the ability to do long passages in stronger winds under sail only. So the time when a windvane might be useful is very small. On the downside a windvane is a real PITA for the 90% of the time when at anchor or backed up to a quay as it severely restricts use of the back end of the boat for access ashore or the daily swim - never mind the potential for damage when mooring.

You can see how the priorities are met by looking at the boats that are popular in the Med. Large cockpits, open (or openable) transoms, big rigs that perform well downwind, but need reefing early, big engines and large battery banks. Rather different set of priorities than those required for our cold, wet, windy northern waters - perhaps the reason why such boats are often heavily criticised by some folks here.

 

[vyv_cox]

Have not sailed in the med though but i assume you are saying it is not so good in light winds- possibly true- but i heard that the wind in the med can be very fierce- after all it is a big area. In that respect a wind vane comes into it own

Additional to Tranona's post, wind direction in the Med is remarkably shifty by comparison with around UK. We had become used to longish passages across the North Sea, Irish Sea and English Channel, all on Windvane making only minor adjustments. In the Med this never seems to be the case, the wind is shifting all the time. Around islands, such as in Greece, this is to be expected but we found the same even on 100 mile passages from the Balearics to the Spanish mainland, for example. Probably not the case in a Mistral, when I suspect a windvane would be highly desirable, but we managed to avoid them.