Wind Vane Steering for a Contessa 26

Jonny A

Jonny A

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Hello everyone. I want to get wind vane steering for my Contessa 26, but I've never used one before and
I don't know enough to work out for myself which system would be best, so I'm hoping to get some
advice. I've found at least half a dozen different manufacturers online, some of whom show
pictures of their systems fitted to Contessa 26s. But I want to be certain I'm getting the right
system for me before I buy one, as obviously it's quite an investment.

My requirements, in order of priority, are:

1. Must be strong and reliable enough for ocean crossings
2. No excess weight (I know this is somewhat contradictory to #1 but when fully loaded the boat is already
a little too stern-heavy so I want one that is strong enough but not over-engineered for such a small boat)
3. Preferably able to operate as an emergency rudder (not 100% necessary)
4. Should be a straight-forward and tidy installation for an overhung transom stern

From the published prices I've seen I can afford a new system, but may consider buying second hand if
the system is in very good condition and spares are still available.

Thanks in advance.
 
Not owned a contessa 26, but a folkboat - I had a Navik hung from the transom, it was a brilliant bit of kit!

Well recommended, if you can find one secondhand!
 
If you can find one the NAVIK will work perfectly on a Contessa 26, I had one on the not dissimilar Invicta 26 for years, I still regret selling it with the Invicta rather than keeping if for the next boat.
Of course it will be s/h but despite their apparent lightweight I never had a problem with it.
 
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There's the guy on Ytube Sailing Wave Rover who made his own self steering and altered the same boat to cross the Atlantic.
He published plans somewhere and it looked straightforward.

edit: he's charging for the plans now.
Plans video

Found an older video that just about shows the dimensions Part 2 of self steering
Part one of video MK3 self steering
 
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The only ones I've had are a Navik & a Hasler SP3, both of which would suit but doubt you'd find a decent second hand one. On the rare occasion they do come up second hand they fetch very good prices (maybe £600 plus for a good one) or are mangled/missing parts. I'd probably go Windpilot Pacific Light for a smaller boat if I had the money for one. Mister Vee is another option...
 
I got a Windpilot pacific light as it has a good reputation and was lighter than any of the others that I found. Lots of pictures of installations on a 26 on the Windpilot website. The pandemic delayed fitting so I can't comment on performance yet but I should have it working when I launch in May. If you go to the 26 rally in Cowes in July I will be there plus a lot of other boats with self steering.
The Windpilot won't operate as a backup rudder but the 26 rudder is pretty foolproof and robust. Mounting behind the transom hung rudder means that it projects quite a long way back and so weight is critical. I have made a simple bracket from 1" SS tube that I will brace to the pushpit although Peter Forthmann does say that the forces on the bracket are very low and it only has to support the 13kg weight of the Windpilot.
If you can find a used Navik I'm sure it would also work well. Guy Waites in Red Admiral had one for his atlantic crossing but did have a problem with one of the welds failing. He had more serious problems with the beam supporting the mast failing.
 
If the Navik appeals, I noticed one in a shed near here. The boat it belongs to is 'under restoration' and has been for several years. I could ask..
 
I have an aeries lift up on a 31 ft boat & i would certainly not suggest a standard aeries for your boat, as it is far too heavy. Weight is extremely important. I have not seen one on a transom mounted rudder sailing boat, but I think that the Sailomat would be light enough. It probably would not need a lot of scaffolding to clear the rudder & is a neat installation compared with the monitor etc. . The smaller size is said to be plenty big enough for the OP's boat.
Worth investigating
 
Daydream believer said:
I have an aeries lift up on a 31 ft boat & i would certainly not suggest a standard aeries for your boat, as it is far too heavy. Weight is extremely important. I have not seen one on a transom mounted rudder sailing boat, but I think that the Sailomat would be light enough. It probably would not need a lot of scaffolding to clear the rudder & is a neat installation compared with the monitor etc. . The smaller size is said to be plenty big enough for the OP's boat.
Worth investigating
Click to expand...
The sailomat is 22kg compared with 13kg for the Windpilot light. edit: Latest sailomat is only 19kg
Sea feather is another possible one but when I examined one it seemed to be not so well engineered as the Windpilot and it was more expensive.
 
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We have WP Pacific. No experience of the Light but the Pacific is an excellent bit of kit. Ours has done three Atlantic crossings on our boat trouble free. It's a pretty compact package and in my view one of the better looking systems to hang off your transom
 
I had a seafeather on my heavy old wooden 24 footer. perfect in all conditions, from my experience. I took it off when I sold her and its next to me in my office ATM. Cannot decide if I should sell it on or keep it for my next boat, although that could a couple of years away, for number of reasons.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, the Windpilot Pacific Light looks very interesting, and also Mr Vee because of the lightness. Does anyone have any experience with one?
 
Jonny A said:
Hello everyone. I want to get wind vane steering for my Contessa 26, but I've never used one before and
I don't know enough to work out for myself which system would be best, so I'm hoping to get some
advice. I've found at least half a dozen different manufacturers online, some of whom show
pictures of their systems fitted to Contessa 26s. But I want to be certain I'm getting the right
system for me before I buy one, as obviously it's quite an investment.

My requirements, in order of priority, are:

1. Must be strong and reliable enough for ocean crossings
2. No excess weight (I know this is somewhat contradictory to #1 but when fully loaded the boat is already
a little too stern-heavy so I want one that is strong enough but not over-engineered for such a small boat)
3. Preferably able to operate as an emergency rudder (not 100% necessary)
4. Should be a straight-forward and tidy installation for an overhung transom stern

From the published prices I've seen I can afford a new system, but may consider buying second hand if
the system is in very good condition and spares are still available.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
I fitted a secondhand Navik on my Contessa 26 (Co 107 Ploughboy Dreamer, now sold but you might find some pictures of the setup).

It was a large heavy peice of kit for a small boat, which involved a lot of leaning over the transom to adjust.

If I did it again I would got for either a SeaFeather or Hebridean (if you fancy making you own from kit/plans).
 
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