Windvane steering

[macd]

There are two main types - those that use a servo-pendulum system to operate the wheel or tiller and therefore the boat's own rudder and those with their own rudder, most notably the Hydrovane. The hydrovane is more suitable for larger boats as it is a bit heavy for most boats under about 33ft, and is more expensive - but owners swear by them and it means you have a spare steering system all ready to go should something happen to the boat's rudder.
- W

This is far from the complete case. Several servo pendulum systems (Windpilot Pacific Plus, for one) also include a dedicated rudder which can be used as a 'spare' rudder. The truth perhaps is that if the wind vane is used extensively, then the wind vane's rudder is more likely to break since it's doing all the work, in which case the boat's main rudder is the 'spare'.

 

[Blueboatman]

Re Janegood.
I think you are convinced but...a new windvane is cheaper and easier on the eye than a bolshy extra crew member.
I would say that it is one of the very few pieces of marine equipment that actually enhances the value of your boat and will not depreciate significantly or stop working when it gets wet!

Personally I remain a huge fan of Hydrovane cos it is so neat and rugged, although I currently have a Monitor which seems pretty good too ( only my second year with it).

In fact if you go to the Hydrovane website they have ''shameleesly'' borrowed certain threads from here in endorsing their product..It is a very good bit of kit that will withstand reversing into other boats etc ( as you do inevitably)

 

[TradewindSailor]

A test of any wind vane is from beam winds to down wind. It is also a test of your sail setting skills. Too much mainsail up on a downwind leg and even the best wind vane will struggle to hold a steadyish cause without being boosted onto a reach.

In my experience the vertically axised wind vane like the old Hazler does not perform quickly enough for modern yachts downwind. Wind vanes that are close to horizontally axised like he Monitor, Cape Horn, Aries, Hydrovane ..... all behave very well.

There is one major problem with wind vanes, or any other wind directed steering: if your boat accelerates fast on a near down wind leg, and therefore creates a significant angle between the apparent and real winds, wind vanes cannot be relied on ...... and this is why they are no longer used for race boats.

I have used one of Nick Franklin's last lift-up model Aries units. It is very well made and has driven my 36 foot monohull tens of thousands of miles with no problems whatsoever. I even used a Raymarine ST1000 connected to the wind vane to control the boat under power.

The Cape Horn wind vane is well designed and removes the clutter from the transom. Take a look: http://www.capehorn.com/superlatives.htm

 

[Spicemariner]

Windvanes are great

We have a Windpilot Pacific plus (has its own rudder). We crossed the Atlantic twice and our main rudder never moved, Windpilot did it all. We also have an autopilot. When on long passages it saves us having to charge batteries running the engine. Even on our Atlantic crossings, our towed generator and solar panels kept the batteries full, I don't think they would have kept up if we had used the autopilot. It is also easy to remove and store, just four fixings. We tend to take it off when sailing short distances as we can't put our dinghy on our davits when it is in place but replacing it takes only 20 minutes. We think it is a fantastic piece of kit. It also steers to windward far better than we can.

 

[snowleopard]

There is one major problem with wind vanes, or any other wind directed steering: if your boat accelerates fast on a near down wind leg, and therefore creates a significant angle between the apparent and real winds, wind vanes cannot be relied on ...... and this is why they are no longer used for race boats.

This is generally only a problem in light high-performance boats but when the apparent wind shift happens the consequences can be nasty. Phil Weld was heading across the Atlantic to take part in the OSTAR in his 60-foot tri Gulf Streamer. He was sailing fast downwind under vane gear when the boat accelerated rapidly down a wave. As the boat accelerated the apparent wind moved rapidly forward causing the vane to put the helm hard over. The boat swung beam on to the seas and the centrifugal force combined with the slope of the wave caused her to flip over. Any boat that can accelerate rapidly - light multis or planing monos can get in trouble that way. Even with an electronic autopilot you can get into trouble if you use wind input rather than compass.

The shift in apparent wind has another effect - your course can change with wind strength even though there is no shift in direction. Not normally a problem but something to be aware of.

 

[jonic]

We have got a hydrovane on our Moody 33. Have done the Atlantic with it twice. It is probably the best bit of kit ever to put on an offshore cruising yacht!!!

So easy to use, easy to alter course and sail trim needs to be rough only..... although on long trips it's not like you are busy doing something else.

Also fitted it with a cheapo tiller pilot for when motoring.

Having had an electric pilot (wheel with belt) break a lot, and having hand steered, with wife across the Atlantic another twice, I cannot heap enough praise on this outstanding bit of kit. We are, however, both very good at steering......

No relation, hope this helps!

I agree entirely. I have one on my Moody 38 and crossed the Atlantic in a Westerly Corsair with it fitted. You have the added bonus with Hydrovane of having a "spare" rudder. Most owners are equally gushing in their "best bit of kit on the boat praise. " Customer service is excellent too.

 

[BrianReynolds]

Hi Viv I agree with your comments re the windpilot but it is possible to have the vane gear as well as a bathing platform. (Pacific plus) Our bathing platform is in two halves with the auxillary rudder in the slot between the platforms and the servo blade aft of the platform. It is still possible to raise the servoblade. The stern of the boat is quite cluttered though.
Brian

 

[vyv_cox]

Hi Viv I agree with your comments re the windpilot but it is possible to have the vane gear as well as a bathing platform. (Pacific plus) Our bathing platform is in two halves with the auxillary rudder in the slot between the platforms and the servo blade aft of the platform. It is still possible to raise the servoblade. The stern of the boat is quite cluttered though.
Brian

It depends very much on the boat's transom, I think. On a Sadler 34 the stern is relatively narrow, with a very narrow walk-through in the centre of the pushpit. For stern-to berthing, which is our preference, it just isn't possible.

 

[Kilter]

We're planning a circumnavigation and have read mixed views on windvane steering, (as most yachtie topics). What are the main features we should look for when choosing, and would we be better off with one or are they more trouble than they're worth. I'm brand new to this forum.

We are big fans of windvanes. Did an extended Atlantic circuit with an Aries, which was strong, simple and accurate in all but very light airs on our heavy long keeler.

We'd love a seafeather for the present boat.

 

[Athene V30]

We'd love a seafeather for the present boat.

Had a Sea Feather on my last boat and brought it with me to this boat. The guy who makes them is very helpful, I bought mine second hand (not from him) but he still offered to help fit it / answer any queries. Great bit of kit and great service.

http://www.sea-feather.co.uk/

 

[dratsea]

Hi Viv I agree with your comments re the windpilot but it is possible to have the vane gear as well as a bathing platform. (Pacific plus) Our bathing platform is in two halves with the auxillary rudder in the slot between the platforms and the servo blade aft of the platform. It is still possible to raise the servoblade. The stern of the boat is quite cluttered though.
Brian

Half of your circumnavigation will be in the pacific and the swell is ever present, even in a sheltered anchorage. When you want to get on and off you do not want your bathing ladder on the stern (not unless you do not mind swimming in a crash helmet). You will find it best to have an drop-over ladder placed aft of mast and just ahead of front of cockpit. Optimise your positioning of the wind vane at the stern, even if you need to remove the stern ladder for the circumnavigation.

As to type of gear the servo-pendulum is brilliant down wind because as you begin to fall off a following wave the servo rudder is pushed across and even before the boat is off course the main rudder is correcting for the anticipated swing of the boat. To be honest it steers much better than I can and continues to do so even at night when you do not have the same visual references to guide you.

 

[doris]

Optimise your positioning of the wind vane at the stern, even if you need to remove the stern ladder for the circumnavigation.

We have a Hydrovane fitted bang centre of the bathing platform, current Dehler 39, and had the ladder moved and refitted offset. Hydrovane were emphatic that an offset vane would still function perfectly but I couldn't convince my self that on a modern, wider bummed, boat that there could be no loss of efficiency on one tack.
Can't believe anyone going properly off shore in a displacement boat would not have a vane unless they are totally ignorant of the species or too incompetent to trim.

 

[BobE]

WindeVanes

I suggest you have a look at
http://www.bluemoment.com/steering2.html
for a fairly comprehensive list of manufacturers.

I have a servo pendulum vane on the Sadler 32 and it's the best thing since sliced br.....
Use it all the time especially when soloing...

Adjustment of angle is by a sort of " starting handle" which alters the vane angle by 6 degrees per rev...

Best in a reasonable amount of wind..

Good luck have fun...
Cheers Bob E...
PS
I'm playing with various vanes for light weather downwind work....
On Vane Number 7 at present....

 

[dratsea]

I'm playing with various vanes for light weather downwind work....
On Vane Number 7 at present....

Bob,

If you think you are close to best vane for conditions get a small (less than 2") G-cramp and move it up and down the vane to get it to the ideal stability for the conditions.

John

 

[BobE]

Thanks for that....
I'm actually trying to compare the supplied vane with home made alternatives....
Got to find time to check when sailing..
Calculated the moments and CGs of the vanes and now trying to get some where near the original figures for a reasonably accurate comparison...
I'm after a larger vane with the same moment from the CG of the vane to the horizontal axis of the gear..
Then I guess I'll be fiddling with centres of pressure on the vane...

Hope this makes some sort of sense
But yes I'll play with one of my little G cramps... Nice idea Thanks ..
Cheers Bob E...