Windvane steering systems

[LeeDowell]

Can anyone offer advice on a suitable windvane steering system for use on a Beneteau Oceanis 411? The boat is 41' loa and has a sugar scoop stern with offset bathing ladder

 

[Bajansailor]

I saw a boat once with a sugar scoop, and a Hydrovane where the shaft of the Hydrovane went down through a tube glassed into the sugar scoop - seemed like a neat idea.
Only real disadvantage as far as I can see would be putting the rudder blade on / taking it off underneath the sugar scoop.

 

[ChrisE]

Well, a Monitor can be fitted here's a pic of Ben 381

[image] www.selfsteer.com/boats/view.php?boatTypeID=257 [/image]

Ooh, I can't make the pic work....

 

[Twister_Ken]

Chris's pic

 

[FullCircle]

Speaking with Hydrovane, they do a swing out of the way kit to mount on sugar scoops, but the guy recommended just unbolting it when you get to port, as that shortened chargeable length anyway.

 

[Becky]

We have a Monitor windvane steering system. We were caught in a gale with winds up to 40 knots on the nose and the vane sailed us through the storm without being touched for about 4 days, when the wind dropped to nothing.

Brilliant system, couldn't praise it enough. Simple to set up, and very accurate, better than crew!

And it will fit onto yacht sterns with sugar scoops.