peter2407
Active member
Probably a "think it through, ya muppet" type question but what options are available re vane steering on a boat with a wheelbratyer than a tiller?
wind vane for wheel steering question
- Thread starter peter2407
- Start date
capnsensible
Well-known member
Hydrovane comes with its own rudder. Dogs dooh dahs.
Downsman
New member
Agree with that..
An old Simrad TP22 steers my Nic 32 via the Hydrovane rudder, and has done so faultlessly since 2007..:encouragement:
Stu Jackson
New member
I recently saw a good idea for wheel steered arrangement: get an old bicylce wheel and mount it to the wheel for a drum for the lines from the vane gear.
Also saw this: "...wind vein gear..." Cuts right to the heart of the matter...
Also saw this: "...wind vein gear..." Cuts right to the heart of the matter...
Downsman
New member
Also saw this: "...wind vein gear..."
Mmmm? Not sure about that rig..looks bleedin' dangerous..
Mmmm? Not sure about that rig..looks bleedin' dangerous..
Daydream believer
Well-known member
Aeries do a drum for the wheel
Jassira
Member
I have Aries with wheel steering, a drum with a lever to engages/disengages it fixes to the wheel and lines run through blocks. I have a centre cockpit so there's quite a lot of line, but it still works well.
Lindsay All At Sea
New member
But you lose access to a lazarette locker on one side due to the ropework from wind-vane to wheel.
So if you store any form of safety equipment Flares, liferaft, grab-bag in a cockpit locker make sure it is not the one put out of action by the steering gear.
KellysEye
Active member
The problem with lines to a drum on the steering wheel is friction which reduces the vane's sensitivity. As said Hydrovane is the way to go. Also Aries are made of dissimilar metals and I've seen some so corroded they don't work.
rogerthebodger
Well-known member
For that reason I am currently adding an auxiliary rudder to my look alike monitor.
This is simular to the windpilot pacific plus but without the rocking gear connection to the auxiliary rubber.
I did design and build a drum on my steering but due to friction and the fact my steering is auxiliary rudder,auxiliary rudder, I an now adding an auxiliary rudder.
If any one is interested I could post some pics once I have finished building it.
ukmctc
New member
Moody 33 Mk1 wheel, Yep after much research we will be buying Hydrovane.
dgadee
Well-known member
Sea feather are supposed to be testing a wheel device.
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
I have a Monitor which is a servo assist type Windvane where water pressure greatly increases the power of the vane gear. It steers my Rival 41C without any issues at all, it is very powerful. For light winds I have bigger wind vane.
Pictures of Monitor connections to wheels http://www.selfsteer.com/products/monitor/lines.php
Pictures of Monitor connections to wheels http://www.selfsteer.com/products/monitor/lines.php
sailor211
Active member
I also have a monitor. Excellent bit of kit. Works from 5 knots apparent and 2 kts boat speed. Not had to use it in more than 55kts or over 10 kts boat speed for any length of time but it was happy in sustained v windy conditions. One benifit over the Hydrovanes is the ability to lift the rudder. Makes manoeuvring in harbour easier with only one rudder, particularly in reverse. I use mine on most trips in the Solent and locally not only on long trips.
Roberto
Well-known member
I have a Windpilot with a similar setup, that is no additional rudder just a pivoting water blade, the water blade can be lifted up, the whole windvane can be taken off in 10 minutes, which is quite useful as I have a stern gantry where the dinghy goes.
The two steering ropes are led to the same side of the cockpit and are very unobtrusive.
FWIW, never had any problems with friction, just replaced the two steering ropes every few thousands of miles.
