SHIAN
New member
I would welcome opinions on the relative merits of Aries, Monitor and Windpilot Pacific self steering. I have experience of Aries and Monitor and would be particularly grateful to hear from owners of Windpilot Pacific systems.
Wind Vane Self Steering
- Thread starter SHIAN
- Start date
Gazza
Member
We have a Windpilot fitted to a Vancouver 32 we got last summer, and it has seen a fair bit of use as I had to bring her back from Oban to Plymouth via west coast of Ireland.
It is a well made and robust piece of kit, which works well. It is, on occasion, subject to vagaries, but I understand that most of them do this, eg on some days, for no apparant reason, it will require some regular adjustment. After sales response seems to be pretty good - I emailed a question about fitting the pin for a tillerpilot to the arm on the windvane and inadvertantly sent it to the USA. I got a reply not only from the USA office but also the home base in Germany and both within a couple of days.
My impression is that it is a good piece of kit.
It is a well made and robust piece of kit, which works well. It is, on occasion, subject to vagaries, but I understand that most of them do this, eg on some days, for no apparant reason, it will require some regular adjustment. After sales response seems to be pretty good - I emailed a question about fitting the pin for a tillerpilot to the arm on the windvane and inadvertantly sent it to the USA. I got a reply not only from the USA office but also the home base in Germany and both within a couple of days.
My impression is that it is a good piece of kit.
Joe_Cole
New member
Sorry, I can't help as I've no experience of their equipment, but they have a good web site at:
http://www.windpilot.com/index.html
Regards
Joe Cole
http://www.windpilot.com/index.html
Regards
Joe Cole
cp99
New member
Get a Hydrovane. Any number of advantages. Never heard of any Hydrovane owner complaining.
G
Guest
Guest
Fitted a Windpilot Pacific to a Rustler 36 3 years ago and found it to be an excellent piece of kit. Stong, light and exceedingly well engineered and manufactured. To me it was also the neatest looking. We never tire of watching it perform; it steers better than I do. Peter Forthman's book on self steering is well worth a read before finally deciding and although he is Mr Windpilot the book gives a very fair resume of all makes and a lot of other information as well. Go for it and enjoy!
Stingo
Well-known member
Re: Aries is the only answer
Before I bought my Aries, I looked into all the options available and the Aries won hands-down for the following reasons:
It is very easy to install.
The adjustment of course is really simple and easy to get back to the original course - even at night. (three clicks to port then three clicks to starboard and that big floaty thing with shiny lights is easily avoided)
Parts are readily avaiable and shipped world-wide.
It has over 30 years of proven track record.
It is easily maintained - a drop of oil a day (when sailing) and maybe a rinse off every with fresh water every now & then.
The stronger the wind, the better it works and in my expereince it still works very well in light airs.
No nylon (Monitor) bearings to wear out.
If I recall correctly, the Windpilot blade kicks out of the water in strong conditions, (because it has no sideways movement restriction) resulting in it loosing control of the boat!
I have seen the book mentioned in an earlier thread and thought that it was unduly biased towards Windpilot, but then that is expected because the author manufactures the Windpilot and there is very little comment on the Aries - maybe he cannot take the competition. Hmm!
Which ever you decide to buy, good luck. A manual self-steering is so much more reliable and robust than an electrical one
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stingo.co.uk>http://www.stingo.co.uk</A> - now showing at a computer near you
Before I bought my Aries, I looked into all the options available and the Aries won hands-down for the following reasons:
It is very easy to install.
The adjustment of course is really simple and easy to get back to the original course - even at night. (three clicks to port then three clicks to starboard and that big floaty thing with shiny lights is easily avoided)
Parts are readily avaiable and shipped world-wide.
It has over 30 years of proven track record.
It is easily maintained - a drop of oil a day (when sailing) and maybe a rinse off every with fresh water every now & then.
The stronger the wind, the better it works and in my expereince it still works very well in light airs.
No nylon (Monitor) bearings to wear out.
If I recall correctly, the Windpilot blade kicks out of the water in strong conditions, (because it has no sideways movement restriction) resulting in it loosing control of the boat!
I have seen the book mentioned in an earlier thread and thought that it was unduly biased towards Windpilot, but then that is expected because the author manufactures the Windpilot and there is very little comment on the Aries - maybe he cannot take the competition. Hmm!
Which ever you decide to buy, good luck. A manual self-steering is so much more reliable and robust than an electrical one
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stingo.co.uk>http://www.stingo.co.uk</A> - now showing at a computer near you
vyv_cox
Well-known member
I have used a Windpilot for six years with no problems whatsoever. It is considerably lighter than the Aries and requires less bolting and brackets that the Monitor. The statement about its oar "breaking out" sideways under strong conditions is not true: like all wind steering mechanisms the force on the oar increases with speed and it is impossible to pull it sideways at speeds above about 1 knot.
I have not read Peter Forthmann's book but I have read his previous publications and his website on many occasions. His statements on the relative forces available from the different makes are factual and objective, so I doubt the accusation of bias towards his product. Before buying mine I spoke to Windpilot and Monitor and was surprised that neither seemed to offer any opinionated advice.
Not sure of the current situation, but when I bought my Windpilot it was considerably cheaper than Monitor and Aries was then out of production. I believe that Aries is now expensive, understandably because of its complexity and materials selection.
Someone else recommends Hydrovane. I never used one but Andrew Bray had one on Dash for several transatlantic crossings and said he never had a complaint about it.
I have not read Peter Forthmann's book but I have read his previous publications and his website on many occasions. His statements on the relative forces available from the different makes are factual and objective, so I doubt the accusation of bias towards his product. Before buying mine I spoke to Windpilot and Monitor and was surprised that neither seemed to offer any opinionated advice.
Not sure of the current situation, but when I bought my Windpilot it was considerably cheaper than Monitor and Aries was then out of production. I believe that Aries is now expensive, understandably because of its complexity and materials selection.
Someone else recommends Hydrovane. I never used one but Andrew Bray had one on Dash for several transatlantic crossings and said he never had a complaint about it.
steffen
New member
Wind vane, related question
Hi guys, since you all seem to have experience with wind vanes i have a related question.
Can a wind vane steering be used with a wheel iso tiller?
Happy sailing, Steffen
Hi guys, since you all seem to have experience with wind vanes i have a related question.
Can a wind vane steering be used with a wheel iso tiller?
Happy sailing, Steffen
MADFISH
New member
Re: Wind vane, related question
Yes. I used a monitor attached to a wheel via a small rope drum fitted to the wheel (keep your fingers out of the way when working)! It was fitted to a Vancouver 34 and sailed me the whole way accross the Atlantic problem free. I believe all manfs supply the drum on request.
Incidently the monitor can also be used as an emergancy rudder by simply switching the blade. I don't know if any of the others do this but it is very useful.
Yes. I used a monitor attached to a wheel via a small rope drum fitted to the wheel (keep your fingers out of the way when working)! It was fitted to a Vancouver 34 and sailed me the whole way accross the Atlantic problem free. I believe all manfs supply the drum on request.
Incidently the monitor can also be used as an emergancy rudder by simply switching the blade. I don't know if any of the others do this but it is very useful.
vyv_cox
Well-known member
Re: Wind vane, related question
Yes, it can, as Madfish says via a drum. May be a little more time-consuming to set up but for longer passages I don't see this as much of a problem. I suspect, though, that on many wheel steering boats it might be more convenient to attach the wind steering to the emergency tiller on the transom, leaving a path through to the wheel without having to step over lines.
Yes, it can, as Madfish says via a drum. May be a little more time-consuming to set up but for longer passages I don't see this as much of a problem. I suspect, though, that on many wheel steering boats it might be more convenient to attach the wind steering to the emergency tiller on the transom, leaving a path through to the wheel without having to step over lines.
Twister_Ken
Well-known member
Wheel steering.
As well as the drum method, I believe the 'tiller' lines can also be connected directly to the steering quadrant if the boat's layout permits. Or buy a self steerer which has its own rudder.
As well as the drum method, I believe the 'tiller' lines can also be connected directly to the steering quadrant if the boat's layout permits. Or buy a self steerer which has its own rudder.
MADFISH
New member
Re: Wind vane, related question
Your quite right Vyv, It is a bit of a pain going round one side of the wheel the whole time. Also you don't want to stand too close to the wheel wearing loose clothing! However I am a great believer in keeping it simple. Getting the emergancy tiller out every time you want to activate the steering may be a little drawn out though could work very well. Loads may be a little high though.
Anyone ever connected straight to the quadrant? Could the loads again be too high? Routing tricky?
Your quite right Vyv, It is a bit of a pain going round one side of the wheel the whole time. Also you don't want to stand too close to the wheel wearing loose clothing! However I am a great believer in keeping it simple. Getting the emergancy tiller out every time you want to activate the steering may be a little drawn out though could work very well. Loads may be a little high though.
Anyone ever connected straight to the quadrant? Could the loads again be too high? Routing tricky?
Chris_Robb
Well-known member
Re:Hydraulic Steering
If you have hydraulic steering, then the auxiliary rudder approach is the only way to go, as the hydraulic system will creep, no matter how perfect it is.
Advantage also is that you have an emergency rudder.
I have no idea on reliablility versus aries
If you have hydraulic steering, then the auxiliary rudder approach is the only way to go, as the hydraulic system will creep, no matter how perfect it is.
Advantage also is that you have an emergency rudder.
I have no idea on reliablility versus aries
steffen
New member
Re: Wind vane, related question
Your warning about loose cloth startle me, is it that power full?
I have my emergency tiller behind a hatch so its bit cumbersome to attach to the wind vane. Its also rather short (about 50cm) so perhaps not enough output fron the wind vane.
As for connecting to the quadrant; i doubt if the ouput from the wind vane is sufficient. My quadrant is approx. 25cm so somow force required to turn that. And yes, the routing may very tricky from outside to inside.
Happy sailing, Steffen
Your warning about loose cloth startle me, is it that power full?
I have my emergency tiller behind a hatch so its bit cumbersome to attach to the wind vane. Its also rather short (about 50cm) so perhaps not enough output fron the wind vane.
As for connecting to the quadrant; i doubt if the ouput from the wind vane is sufficient. My quadrant is approx. 25cm so somow force required to turn that. And yes, the routing may very tricky from outside to inside.
Happy sailing, Steffen
steffen
New member
Re: Wind vane, related question
As a thought: i could use the drum that is normally used for the autopilot belt??
As a thought: i could use the drum that is normally used for the autopilot belt??
MADFISH
New member
Re: Wind vane, related question
It really is that powerful. at 5knts you won't be able to stop the wheel turning with your hands and the drum is only about 8" diamiter! I wouldn't let it worry you too much. I never had any problems getting cought up in it.
I don't know if it will fit an autopilot drum.
(My word....it has started to snow outside.......!(Southampton))
It really is that powerful. at 5knts you won't be able to stop the wheel turning with your hands and the drum is only about 8" diamiter! I wouldn't let it worry you too much. I never had any problems getting cought up in it.
I don't know if it will fit an autopilot drum.
(My word....it has started to snow outside.......!(Southampton))
Rich_F
New member
Re: Wind vane, related question
The Hydrovane doesn't connect to the steering at all. You just lock the steering once you have the boat balanced, and the Hydrovane's own rudder will provide course corrections.
I sailed round Scotland on a Rustler 36 with Hydrovane, and was well impressed.
The Hydrovane doesn't connect to the steering at all. You just lock the steering once you have the boat balanced, and the Hydrovane's own rudder will provide course corrections.
I sailed round Scotland on a Rustler 36 with Hydrovane, and was well impressed.
G
Guest
Guest
I also have a Windpilot fitted to my Rustler 36. It has been superb. I have been surprised how well it works even downwind in light winds. It takes a while to get the best out of it, I find mine works best if the tiller lines are left rather loose, but I would not be wthout it now. I have burnt out three electric autopilots in the past,so in the longterm its cost effective too!
LadyInBed
Well-known member
Re: Hydrovane
I had a good look at the Hydrovane at the SBS last year and was nvery impressed with the way it was engineered.
I had a good look at the Hydrovane at the SBS last year and was nvery impressed with the way it was engineered.
