Windpilot Pacific info please.

[mickshep]

I've just bought a 2nd hand Windpilot Pacific for Fosca, What I don't have is the fitting/setting up instructions. When I set it up should the upper portion that supports the vane assembly be vertical when viewed from the side or should it be the paddle assembly that is vertical when viewed from the same perspective? To my mind if one or the other has to angle slightly aft it would be the paddle, this is of course only a guess. Better still has anyone a copy of the origonal instructions, Thanks in advance, Mike.

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[peterbringloe]

You a correct. The upper portion must be vertical - so as you say, the 'rudder' is then angled back slightly. The height that the windpilot is mounted on the transom is critical and the shaft (what the rudder is attached to) would have been supplied at a length according to the requirements of the boat it was sold for. From memory, the top of the blade should be out of the water about 4" when boat is at rest so that virtually all of the blade is immersed when sailing. Having got this right then hopefully the top of the pendulum arm (where you attach the lines going to the tiller or wheel) will be at the correct height to pass over the transome.

I have a copy of the manual but I don't return to the boat until 26th August. I'm sure that Peter Forthman would email you the instructions if you contacted him via the Windpilot website. I have found him very helpfull. Good luck. I hope your boat has a tiller because performance will be better.

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[Spicemariner]

Wish you luck with your Windpilot, it is a fantastic piece of kit. Our boat (wheel steering) went across the Atlantic without our rudder moving once. It even steered perfectly in 48 knots. I am sure Peter will forward you the instructions if you contact him, he even turned up in Las Palmas to ensure that ours, and others, were set up perfectly!

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