Wind Vanes - Do they work as well as we would like?

Scotty_Tradewind

Scotty_Tradewind

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I'm hoping that although there are the YM and Jester Forums, that because more people view the PBO Forum, this thread may attract more information for those considering a wind vane for their boat.

I have a Monitor which attaches to my tiller..... bought with my last boat and transferred to this.

see video.... (I apologise if Photo Bucket pulls up adverts etc...) and you may have to scroll down the page to find the video once in......
http://s725.photobucket.com/user/jo...erCampeltown_zps81dce487.mp4.html?sort=6&o=29

I've no real problem with it... except it's cost new, but the value it has given us is tremendous.

Do you find them an asset?

Which one for which boat?

Why are some better than others.

Have you tried two or more types and are they all successful? It's these peoples opinions that are of particular interest.

What do you think are the best value for money especially for small boats below 30', but also below 36', below 42' etc ?.....

I know that an extremely good quality auto helm can do a great job but I'm not interested in opinions on them in this thread.

thanks
S.
 
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Scotty_Tradewind said:
Wind Vanes - Do they work as well as we would like?
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Last year I finally installed a Monitor on our boat (44' - heavy displacement cruiser).

Whilst operarting it wasn't as intuitive as I had hoped, after 6 months of messing with it it's now suitably tamed.
It's a joy to operate and I try to use it at every possible opportunity in order to get even better to grips with it.
I had bought it with the view to go blue water sailing, but as yet I've only used it for sailing in local waters and on the odd Channel X-ing.
From my limited experience, I must say it works very well.

I had also considered getting an Aries, which might be more suitable and easier to install on a smaller boat.

Just my £0.02
 
I fitted the Monitor to my Fulmar and the next day sailed off for a 500nm offshore trip.Got the hang of it in the first five miles and it has since proved to be the best investment I've ever made for the boat.
 
If one has an outboard hung rudder, building a trim tab for same is not hard. Coupled with an Autohelm from Scanmar you have a very elegant, easy to use self steering. Ours worked flawlessly on our Cape George cutter to Hawaii and back and for 15,000 miscellaneous miles here and there.
 
Oh a heavy long keel 33'er the Aries is obviously endowed with supernatural powers :) will still point the boat in roughly the right direction ghosting along at a couple of knots with barely enough wind to feel on your face . Absolutely vital piece of kit on any long distance boat IMHO.
 
I only have experience of the Navik, which worked superbly with my Vega. I shall fit it to the new boat (10m, 6t) and report back...
 
We have a Rival 38 and installed a Wind Pilot Wind Vane last year. Absolutely brilliant for long passages once set up and recommend. There is a wind vane for sale on the CA forum at the moment - but not sure which make.
 
On our first Atlantic circuit, my wife and I had lots of autohelm problems and hand steered our Moody 33 most of the way.

We are now very good at steering.

However, for lap 2 we got a Hydrovane. Excellent piece of equipment, bolt on and go. Very easy to use, no fiddling. Also got a tiller pilot to drive the rudder in no wind with engine on.

Highly recommend.
 
Monitor windvane on 28-foot Twister.

Works perfectly. Incredibly sensitive. I use it at every opportunity. Disadvantages: price, weight, the paddle is vulnerable to being knocked when raised and it's difficult to remove (on my boat, due to mainsheet horse in the way) and the hideous ugliness of it.

I have long distance experience with a Hydrovane and I find the Monitor is more sensitive and easier to set up. Also the Monitor has no aluminium to corrode.
 
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Invicta 26..........26ft long keeled boat, transom hung rudder..........."Sea-Feather" wind vane.

Great bit of kit. Possible to set up with a strong wind from astern but I have never made it work with a light wind from astern. Good on all other points of sail.

I have no experience of any other vanes so can make no comparisons.

I may be about to buy a bigger (32ft) boat which does not have a vane: if the sale goes through I shall transfer the "Sea-Feather" to the new boat.

(photos of the Sea Feather on the advert linked below)
 
Fascadale said:
Invicta 26..........26ft long keeled boat, transom hung rudder..........."Sea-Feather" wind vane.

Great bit of kit. Possible to set up with a strong wind from astern but I have never made it work with a light wind from astern. Good on all other points of sail.

I have no experience of any other vanes so can make no comparisons.


I may be about to buy a bigger (32ft) boat which does not have a vane: if the sale goes through I shall transfer the "Sea-Feather" to the new boat.

(photos of the Sea Feather on the advert linked below)
Click to expand...
The Monitor works well with a light wind from astern provided a larger air vane is used.I made my own from 3mm plywood.Maybe you can do the same.
 
OR4751 said:
I have - forumite michaelw for one (two others as well, but don't think they are forumites)
Click to expand...

Did any of them use a hydrovane ocean crossing? Maybe that's where they really excel.

Its often a good talking point when you meet someone in the far flung. Conversation starter!
 
jerrytug said:
View attachment 47345
Captnsensible, this is a Saltram 36 or 40 rudder, compare its size to the Hydrovane rudder. How can the H/V possibly work properly, except in perfect conditions?
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I had a hvane on a similar heavy boat with a similar rudder.

Did nearly 4,000 miles to windward in everthing from F2 to 8
Then simliar coming back with following winds.
The hydrovane never missed a beat.

I now have a Monitor. That's taken me 18,000 in everything bar a hurricane.

These wind vanes work. If you hear reports of ones that don't then you should first look at boat in case it is unusual, and then, I'm afraid you must look at the owner.
 
oldvarnish said:
I had a hvane on a similar heavy boat with a similar rudder.

Did nearly 4,000 miles to windward in everthing from F2 to 8
Then simliar coming back with following winds.
The hydrovane never missed a beat.

I now have a Monitor. That's taken me 18,000 in everything bar a hurricane.

These wind vanes work. If you hear reports of ones that don't then you should first look at boat in case it is unusual, and then, I'm afraid you must look at the owner.
Click to expand...

Hi OV, I have only heard good reports, including yours in LMATA, but I was just wondering how Hydrovanes get away with such tiny rudders, compared to the yacht's rudder.
 
We had a Hydrovane that we used for 10,000 miles and it was the best bit of kit on the boat, it didn't sleep eat or drink and was the third crew member. It did a similar mileage with the previous owner. The boat was a heavy displacement long keel, with cutaway forefoot, steel ketch.
 
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