Windvane steering.

Allan

Allan

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I've looked at windvane steering a few times over the years and it looks like I may finally buy it later this year. One thing that concerns me is that the people with the lowest opinions seem to be owners of boats with wheels. Ignoring the likes of Hydrovane for now, are there any windvanes that work well with wheels?
Allan
 
Hi, have a look at Guidos Sailing Channel on youtube, guy sailed his 32ft Bavaria Holiday from The Baltic Sea to Bahamas using a wind vane system attached to his wheel steering with very few issues. You could even contact him for his opinion via the channel.
 
Here a very happy user of a Windpilot with simple pendulum with a wheel. :)
The wheel actually becomes less obtrusive as the two steering ropes can be brought to the wheel drum from the same side.

Bear in mind wheels with hydraulic transmissions usually need an external additional rudder.
 
I don't have one but I know the person who makes the Cape Horn units. I know a bit about the engineering and I am quite certain his units work fine with wheels.

Google them..

GL
 
Allan said:
One thing that concerns me is that the people with the lowest opinions seem to be owners of boats with wheels. Ignoring the likes of Hydrovane for now, are there any windvanes that work well with wheels?
Click to expand...

There's wheel systems and wheel systems. My strong suspicion is that most problems with any wheel-steered servo-pendulum system are due to excessive drag in the boat's own steering, be it cable, rod or whatever. Servo-pendulum systems are hugely powerful, which will tend to mask this, except in light airs, but at the cost of a 'notchy' steering response. If the helm's stiff without a windvane, fitting one isn't going to make it any lighter ;)

Incidentally I've spoken with Roberto about his Windpilot (in Horta after a pretty windy Atlantic crossing): he was as complimentary about it then as he is now.

Monique said:
I don't have one but I know the person who makes the Cape Horn units. I know a bit about the engineering and I am quite certain his units work fine with wheels.
Click to expand...

Cape Horn makes (or used to) two ranges of windvane systems. Both are servo-pendulum, but one range works directly on the rudder quadrant, making wheel actuation redundant. Drag in the steering mechanism would still have an effect on its performance, however, except that the friction would be 'backwards', as it were.
 
Boreal use WindPilot to their boats which are big and have less directional stability due to the lifting keel. Therefore they have to be pretty good.

I ended up opting for Hydrovane due to being able to offset, emergency rudder and no lines to the wheel. Gets delivered today apparently!!!!

Will be eating baked beans for a year now.
 
I've used an Aries, Monitor and Windpilot on a Nicholson 38, Island Packet 46 and Jeanneau 42 respectively. All worked and could steer the boats for weeks on end but nowhere near as responsive [quick] as with a tiller. The Nicholson 38 was a surprise because with an offset wheel it had quite a complicated steering system. The Jeanneau had just had its steering quadrant re built in stainless steel as the old mild steel one had rusted out and there was a stiffness on about quarter turn to starboard that had to be watched. After about 5000 miles the stiffness worked itself out though and I could stop worrying about it.
 
>Ignoring the likes of Hydrovane for now, are there any windvanes that work well with wheels?

Don't ignore Hydrovane we had one and we had wheel steering, just lock the wheel centered when using it.
 
Absolutely love our Monitor, on a 40 foot cutter weighing in at 17 tonnes with wheel steering.... So long as you understand how to balance the sail plan to balance the boat this system linked to the wheel takes some beating.
 
Hi
I have a 50ft, 20 tonne, wheel steered boat and have just fitted a Neptune SP system. Only just fitted it at the end of last summer and VERY impressed with it. http://www.windvane.co.uk/.
What attracted me to this make was that it can be fully removed or fitted in 15 secs ( and leaves minimal clutter on the transom) so you can manoeuvre into berths easily. I have both lines into the centre cockpit at one side and it's not intrusive.
I did a video on YouTube (first attempt at videoing and posting so excuse the quality and poor taste in soundtrack!)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NZmi8lmI8Aw

when I did the video I had only just fitted it so some turning blocks were only temporarily located. It will be even better when the blocks are secured.

It's a great big of kit and just like having a second crew member.
To OP, I'm out in Oz for a few weeks and on indifferent internet connection but happy for you to pm me if you need more info.
Cheers
Dave
 
Last edited:
Gerry said:
Absolutely love our Monitor, on a 40 foot cutter weighing in at 17 tonnes with wheel steering.... So long as you understand how to balance the sail plan to balance the boat this system linked to the wheel takes some beating.
Click to expand...

Here's another vote for Monitor. I've found it steers flawlessly in 5 knots to 50+ knots with 1,200+ km of bluewater use this past season. All single-handed BTW.
 
Another vote for the Monitor which we used in our circumnavigation on our wheel steered boat.
From what we could understand of its history, it was the unit's third such trip
 
Hi is the Hydrovane the only wind steering system that gives you an auxiliary rudder , quite like the idea of it doubling up just in case of a rudder problem ....
 
Many thanks for all of the input. Does anyone have experience of comparing the likes of a Monitor unit with a Hydrovane? In the past I've thought, possibly incorrectly, that a Hydrovane was the way to go. A friend with one said the extra rudder could be useful in an emergency.
Allan
 
Budgieboy said:
Hi is the Hydrovane the only wind steering system that gives you an auxiliary rudder , quite like the idea of it doubling up just in case of a rudder problem ....
Click to expand...

No. Windpilot Pacific Plus has its own rudder, and the power of a servo-pendulum. If you want a run-down on the characteristics of pretty well all windvane systems ever made commercially, you'll find one on the Windpilot web site.
 
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