Windvane steering

Hipchick

Hipchick

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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.
 
Well if no-one else is going to reply...
From what I understand, a windvane steering system is vital for any sort of long distance sailing. Yes, they do cause problems, but so do sails, and rudders, etc.
The electronic servo steering types are much cheaper but apparently much less reliable and need quite a lot of power- self-powered windvane systems are the way to go.

It would appear that if you have the type of boat which can be made to self-steer by lashing the tiller and fine-tuning the sails, then it will place less stress on a windvane.

Some people have had success building their own system... I know a chap who did this but it takes a certain type of person to make it work.
 
janegood1 said:
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.
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We had a Windpilot for many years and found it to be excellent. The first requirement when using it is that the sails need to be trimmed perfectly. IMHO the people who can't make them work properly are those who cannot trim their sails in the first place. We sailed from Scheveningen to Lowestoft in a SW force 5-6 on ours and never adjusted it all the way, it held a perfect course and we made landfall exactly where we had planned. Something like 20 hours without effort and without consuming any power. After that we used ours widely, all the way to Greece, when we removed it because it was incompatible with a stern platform for stern-to berthing.
 
janegood1 said:
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.
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If you wait a few days (and you're in the UK) there's a very good magazine with a feature about wind vanes in it....now let me think, what was the name of that magazine???

Oh that's right, Yachting Monthly :)
 
You don't need to pay for a magazine precis. Visit www.windpilot.com/en/Ra/raseren.html and you can download an excellent book on all forms of self-steering gear for free. The book is written by the owner of the Windpilot steering system, so it's slightly partial but fairly even-handed. It will tell you pretty much everything you need to know except the latest prices.

A windvane system is not 'vital for any form of ong-distance sailing'. Plenty of yachts happily do without. However, I wouldn't want to. It's the best member of crew, without doubt -- providing, as vyv cox observed, the sails are trimmed correctly.

Personally I wouldn't go near one that didn't operate on the servo-pendulum system (the book will explain), although others will disagree. Some sytems can also work as an emergency rudder -- a factor you may wish to consider.
 
vyv_cox said:
We had a Windpilot for many years and found it to be excellent. The first requirement when using it is that the sails need to be trimmed perfectly. IMHO the people who can't make them work properly are those who cannot trim their sails in the first place. We sailed from Scheveningen to Lowestoft in a SW force 5-6 on ours and never adjusted it all the way, it held a perfect course and we made landfall exactly where we had planned. Something like 20 hours without effort and without consuming any power. After that we used ours widely, all the way to Greece, when we removed it because it was incompatible with a stern platform for stern-to berthing.
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I'd endorse what Vyv has said and add that you probably need to complement the windvane with a reliable autopilot. When the wind stops you'll need something to keep you on course and hand steering is not an option unless you have a large crew.

We have a Monitor for off shore and a Raymarine 6000 for motoring. For short passages even under sail the autopilot gets first chance as it is extremely simple to use but it uses power which the windvane does not. On a longer passage however, as Vyv says once you've set the sails and the windvane on course you have nothing else to do, just sit back and enjoy the view.
 
wind vane

I would say a wind vane is a must for those wishing to venture on long voyages especially out of the Med'. Better than two more crew!
It is a terrific advantage when there is wind as the power is 'free' and you don't have to run the engine to charge things up.
I endorse the need for an auto/tiller pilot for when there is a need to motor though.

From my experiences Vyv is absolutely correct in saying that you need to balance the boat first then the wind vane will work easily with no problems. If I can do it anyone should be capable of that.

In my early days I set my Monitor up with no experience and found it so easy that I wondered why I had been so nervous about doing it previously.

I would also have a wind generator or a towed generator if you are doing most of your sailing out of the Med'.

best of luck
s.
 
janegood1 said:
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.
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For long haul cruising a windvane definitely makes sense. But it might be worth looking at the type of boat you're planning to use in order to choose the vane that's best for your boat.

I've had an Aries, Monitor and Windpilot over the years. The Aries was built like a tank, but was slow in action for our fin keeled UFO34, especially offwind, and might well have suited a long-keeled boat better. The Monitor was much quicker in operation and handled a fin keeled 39ft'er easily, but was twitchy, and needed regular adjustment. The Windpilot is the best we've had, and even works well in light conditions downwind on a centreboarder.

Our expensive autopilot has, however, been unreliable, and we now use the vane far more than the pilot. If we'd known how good the Windpilot would be in light airs we'd probably have gone for a cheaper pilot dedicated to just motoring.
 
janegood1 said:
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.
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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.

If you go for one of the lighter servo-pendulum types then all have their supporters and critics. You should try to talk to owners of your type of boat who have used windvanes to get their opinions. Availability of spare parts and support is one thing to consider. There are links to most windvane systems HERE


- W
 
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We have got a Hydrovane on our 42 foot fin keel yacht. It came with the boat and we had never used a windvane before. Our previous boats autopilot went on the blink whilst we were far from home and it was a bit of a shock to me to have to hand steer constantly.
We thought when we got this Hydrovane that we would see what it was like and boy is it great - trouble free so far (touch wood!) and we use it virtually all the time when sailing. We find it very easy to set up and use and an added bonus is we dont have to worry about power consumption as with the autopilot. I do believe they are quite expensive to buy (even second hand) and I wonder if we would have bothered had ours not already been on the boat..........
 
I have a Monitor that steers my Fulmar very well indeed.The stronger the wind the better it works.I used to have to reef the main in order to get it to work properly but then I made a 20% larger vane (wind) that completely transformed it. It's perfect now.The main advantage of the Monitor is that it's so easy to repair.My boat was rammed by another one while moored and the water vane was forced out of engagement and as a result a tooth of the bronze gear broke.The knobs that hold the vane in place were also torn out.I took the Monitor home ,disassembled it in less than half an hour and got the gear tooth rebuilt at the cost of 5€.I then straightened the vane mount in a vice and welded two nuts for the knobs and that was it.Were it an Aries or a Sailomat ,castings would have been broken and the repair would have been very expensive and hard to do.
I don't find it at all twitchy as long as the sail plan is balanced which is something you anyway.
 
A few points to consider

-Will it fit your boat? Most popular types can be adapted to suit typical stern layouts but if yours is a bit unusual, be sure to check there is a kit to fit it. You might have so much clutter around your stern theat you can't get a clean airflow to the vane.

-Does it have enough power? If your boat is a bit hard-mouthed you need something with the power to put the helm over when it's trying to broach or round up. Pendulum servos provide most power. If you are using it to drive via a steering wheel you'll need a lot more power to make up for friction in the system.

-Can it be disengaged quickly, e.g. if you spot a pot buoy ahead?

- Does it have enough power to steer downwind? I had to make up an extra-large vane to cope with downwind work in light winds. I would be suspicious of those that have one small vane blade.

- Can you tip it up if it gets badly fouled with e.g. a big fising net or is it likely to bend or break?
 
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One more thing to consider - can it be adjusted easily from the cockpit? Our Navik is great for actually sailing the Vega, but changing course involves standing on the port cockpit locker lid and stepping over the port tiller line - with not much in the way of handholds this can be an alarming experience on a rough night. I did see one boat that had rigged up a 'remote' via (I think) a flexible drill extension or something similar, and I keep meaning to do the same for ours.

- W
 
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We have a Monitor, and have sailed with an Aries previously. Overall great, and yes, balance the boat first by sial trim first (meaning too much lee helm). Easy to understand, and use, and adjust from the cockpit.
They are undoubtedly less relative wind, and so less good downwind, although I gather the trade winds are easily strong enough.
One final point, is that you can connect your electric autopilot to the self steering (so that the pilot pushes/pulls instead of the windvane) This means you can use a low tech, low power consumption pilot to steer a big boat.
 
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!
 
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