Self steering gear have to be heavy, large, cumbersome and difficult to install. Ive spent some of my time counting the number of boats equipped with what used to be the long distance boats badge of honoura wind vane. A comparison of windvanes and autopilots for a voyaging sailboat. Oct 15, 2014 bill morris has created a new nautical classic with his book, the windvane self steering handbook.
Wind vane steering attachments are available for most autopilots, but in light air they are no better than wind driven self steering gear. I studied it thoroughly, both to learn the principles of selfsteering gears, and gradually to work out. A different thickness is compensated for by using a. Windvane fleming minor tech advice sailing forums, page 1. How vane gears work a clear discussion of how to match vane design with boat invaluable.
After installing the hydrovane, we left tenerife on december 11 and after 18 days at sea we arrived in martinique. An increasing number of long distance regatta sailors are using. It was made in germany in the 90s and appears to have not taken off although there are references online to it being a relatively good system for liveaboards and long distance cruisers. The increased low wind capabilities of optimized, modern devices enable downwind steering down to 1. Under these conditions an electronic unit, considerably smaller than normal will suffice. There are many good resources online relating to this system, and ill link to them in this post. Strong stainless steel 316 construction high quality materials ball bearings for minimal friction. This limits vane deflection whatever the wind strength, but is necessary to damp the vane. The assembling of leaflead needed with a thickness of 2 mm is 3000 mm 2 for the large bouvaan and 2000 mm 2 for the small one. Once the vane was fixed to the desired angle off the wind using a round base plate with notches spaced at 5degree intervals, any course change rotated the large vane like a weathercock. Theres an excellent book on the subject by bill morris.
In the queens birthday storm 6 yacht lost the hydrovane saved us days of exhausting steering and allowed us to pump, prepare food, rest, and make needed repairs. On others the vane acts directly on a secondary rudder. For owners and future owners of windvane steering systems, this is definitely a boating bible on the same scale as nigel calders works on diesel mechanics and general boat maintenance. All self steering systems rely on the same physical principles. There arent many selfsteering systems that will work on a boat as small as tammy norie. In addition the installation can take some thinking about and once installed you will have added some weight just where it is not wanted at the extreme end of the boat. In the very simplest of self steering vane gears as the vane pivots the movement is transmitted via lines directly to the tiller. Here is the definitive manual for choosing, purchasing, installing, maintaining, repairing, using, and even building a windvane self steerer, that amazing device that relieves longdistance sailors from the the helm while using not one amp of precious electrical power. Downwind sailing in light airwhen apparent wind may be only a whisperis one of the biggest challenges for a windvane steering system.
In effect, it is the equivalent of the damping control found on most electronic autopilots. A windvane supplies the steering signal to move a pendulum rudder trailing in the water behind the boat. When the windvane moves, the pendulum arm turns so that the water starts to push against one surface of the pendulum rudder blade and pull on the other. The action of air vanes on most mechanical self steering units is dampened by a counterweight set below the vane s pivot point. Unfollow wind vane steering to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Navik self steering wind vane sailing forums, page 1.
A reasonable wind vane self steering unit will steer in winds as low as force 2 when the vessel is likely to start motoring anyway. Servo pendulum neptune yacht windvane self steering. Id recommend you read it before looking, so you dont get the wrong vane. Vertical axis vanes are still to be found but by far the majority of manufacturers have opted for the more sensitive and powerful inclined axis type. Windvane fleming minor tech advice and other sailing discussion in the seabreeze general forums, page 1. The boat a rafiki 37 with full keel and ob rudder was designed to have a trim tab steering sustem and i think it may have worked well. Hi there sailor, welcome to the new website of aries vane gear. However the force provided by a wind vane alone is rarely sufficient to make this system work with large boats.
Blondie hasler, a pioneer in self steering development, endorses the book, saying, for the reader who wants concise and clear instructions on how to plan and build his own vane steering gear, this is just about the best book ive yet seen, and i would gladly go to sea with any of the gears he recommends. In the middle of a large ocean, electricity is a lot scarcer than wind, sun or water, of which there are, trust me, no shortage. The trade name holland windvane and bouvaan as well as the s of this handbook and all drawings of the holland windvane belong to. Apr 25, 2017 how to make a wind vane self steering gear. If youre able to balance the helm under all different types of conditions and sailing angles, and you know your boat well, then you can probably skip the yaw resistance test. The windvane self steering handbook is the definitive guide to every aspect of sailing and working with the longdistance sailors best friend. Mar 09, 2018 this winter, i began building a hebridean windvane selfsteering system for emmelene. A video describing the operation of the south atlantic s600 gii self steering unit.
The vane only feathers when the pendulum blade swings. An overview of sailboat self steeringmechanical versus electronic steeringa brief history of windvane self steeringcaptain joshua slocum early experiments marinmarie trimtab steering blondie hasler and the ostar marcel gianoli nick franklin stellan knoos hans bernwall and. An overview of sailboat selfsteeringmechanical versus electronic steeringa brief history of windvane selfsteeringcaptain joshua slocum early experiments marinmarie trimtab steering blondie hasler and the ostar marcel gianoli nick franklin stellan knoos hans bernwall and. Page 3 capehorn selfsteering owners manual for operation and installation of integrated and outboard models capehorn marine products inc. I started with the a yrs book, self steeringo a superb book. Aries is your best crewmember for sailing around the world. A windvane self steering system is the most reliable means of steering your small vessel on long ocean passagesand it doesnt use one amp of your precious electrical power. To request your quote for a voyager vane, simply let us know what type and model of yacht you sail weve probably fitted a voyager to one of her sisters. It deals, in detail, with everything to do with self steering, and is a must for anyone in my position. My diy servopendulum windvane self steering gear on my islander excalibur 26. If it isnt, then you can forget about sailing down wind with one.
Find great deals on ebay for self steering windvane and wind vane self steering. Also remember that as boat speed increases, so does the force available from the self steering. The vane s inclination is adjustable on some models. Bill morris here is the definitive manual for choosing, purchasing, installing, maintaining, repairing, using, and even building a windvane self steerer, that amazing device that relieves longdistance sailors. Now release the wind vane from the locked position and index the vane so its pointing into the apparent wind making the vane stand up.
How does a self steering wind vane works complete guide. At 1100nm from martinique during the night with 3035 knots of wind and 3 to 5 meters waves we heard 2 big noises like something hitting the boat on the side and almost immediately the autopilot stopped working and the boat went beam to the waves. Without written permission from the author it is forbidden to copy, scan, or save on digital media, drawings or articles from this document. Jul 25, 2016 ive got this navik wind vane which was working fine when i removed it from the boat. When the wind drops below that, we resort to our autopilot. Existing wind vanes feather into wind when they deflect. Apr 11, 2017 my diy servopendulum windvane self steering gear on my islander excalibur 26. Wind vane self steering systems must be as frictionless as possible between the sensing vane and the actuating servo rudder. Dec 08, 2011 sitting in the canaries watching all the yachts turn up to make the transatlantic crossing has been instructive in one sense. This means that the only time that an electronic self steering system is necessary, is when the winds are light. Nov 19, 2016 self steering systems wind vanes if this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. It deals, in detail, with everything to do with selfsteering, and is a must for anyone in my position. Wind vane selfsteering systems must be as frictionless as possible between the sensing vane and the actuating servo rudder. Self steering gear can only steer a yacht at certain points of the wind.
About 15 years old but in good condition and works at sea trial as i use an autopilot instead. Wind vane aries vane gear your best sailing crewmember at. On my boat it came with a system called wind hunter. Im hoping someone here has good knowledge of the older fleming minor wind vane. This is why you get just one windvane size with the system, where some brands offer a light weight bigger blade for light airs. I studied it thoroughly, both to learn the principles of self steering gears, and gradually to work out by elimination, which gear was my central cockpit. Wind vane self steering from mister vee mister vee. Windy is a strong, efficient, and reliable shipmate. They do not generate any noise or environmental pollution, and best of all a windvane is considered to be a low maintenance crewmember.
Mar 01, 2004 a windvane self steering system is the most reliable means of steering your small vessel on long ocean passagesand it doesnt use one amp of your precious electrical power. The trick with making a servopendulum wind vane work well is to trim the sails for a balanced helm. This book, i hope, will cut through the tangle of conflicting opinions and contradictory hearsay surrounding the subject of self steering. While in the big following seas, averaging over 10 knots under bare poles, the hydrovane steered, most of the time, while a crewmember simply sat behind the wheel, riding. Apr 24, 2014 wind vane self steerers do require five knots or more of wind across the deck to work properly. They are a great unit and have a pretty good break out system if the servo rudder is fowled and a simple rope quadrant to provide the movement to the tiller. Downside of a trim tab there are only a few negative aspects to using a trim tab. Feb 24, 2004 here is the definitive manual for choosing, purchasing, installing, maintaining, repairing, using, and even building a windvane self steerer, that amazing device that relieves longdistance sailors from the the helm while using not one amp of precious electrical power. The windvane selfsteering handbook hardcover amazon. Windvane selfsteering options fall into two categories, servo pendulum and auxiliary rudder. Sarah curry advises how best to use a wind vane steering system sarah and husband will sailed from the us to australia on hydroquest with a hydrovane wind vane steering system. The number one self steering wind vane, the aries a self steering wind vane for offshore sailboats and worldwide bluewater sailors. And i hope to use the association as a resource for a class. Jun 24, 2015 wind vane selfsteering is common on longdistance boats and especially junk rigged boats.
Veteran sailor bill morris points out the mechanical and navigational advantages of vane steering systems. The sensor vane is the brains of the selfsteering system, but it needs apparent wind to work. The holland windvane is a windvane self steering device that excels in performance and is characterized by. This helps keep the boat from yawing excessively, as the air vane is never truly edgetothe wind for more than an instant. Modern windvane selfsteering gears rely on a number of separate elements. Self steering windvanes require no electrical power. This in turn twisted the tab to one side of the main rudder, driving the rudder in the opposite direction, thus bringing the vessel back on course.
The navik doesnt use gears, instead it uses linkages to control an aileron on the servo rudder. Only then is the vane damped to stop over steering. Basic woodwork skills and tools are all that is required. Windy has proven itself responsive in light wind on all points of sail, and equally effective when steering through high winds and heavy seas. While it is the power of the wind that directs the angle the servorudder presents to the passing water, it is boat speed through that water that exerts the considerable pounds of pull on the lines that run from the servorudder and through a series of turning blocks, ultimately connecting to the tiller or, in the case of wheel steering, a. Wind vane self steering by belcher, bill and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Mar 16, 2004 a windvane self steering system is the most reliable means of steering your small vessel on long ocean passagesand it doesnt use one amp of your precious electrical power. It is time for me to introduce the device that works beautifully and does not break any laws of physics. Holland windvane self steering a unique concept for the diy enthusiast. I am selling it because i have not got the time nor. Compact and lightweight, the wind vane combines simple design with robust construction in a fold flat solution that can easily be stored in a boat locker. Video 1 a broad reach buffeted by strong winds testing the vane in difficult conditions.
Windvane self steering systems use change in the direction of apparent wind to steer the boat. Hebridean wind vane self steering trial sept 2016 duration. The pendulum rudder starts off aligned parallel to the flow of water across its surface. Unfollow self steering windvane to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. With this type of self steering wind vane, the rudder shaft moves sideways swing, depending on the vanes signal and also on the rudders position. Monitor wind vane posted by toddst monitor wind vane mounted on shannon 51. Self steering under sail by peter christian forthmann.
These videos were taken in scotland in varying sea and wind conditions. Handbook deel tekst als pdf download holland windvane. Photo gallery voyager self steering sailing wind vanes. Servo pendulum solutions utilize your boats own rudder and as the name suggests, auxiliary rudder products work with a separate, independent rudder system.
Initially, i wasnt going to blog about this build, thinking it a bit superfluous. The windvane selfsteering handbook is the definitive guide to every aspect of sailing and working with the longdistance sailors best friend. The servoforces here are usually enough to sail the main rudder of ships of up to 30 t tons safely. Ladies and gentleman, i give you the windvane self steering. The shape of lead parts can be obtained with the aid of the stainless steel cover plates.
The sensor vane is the brains of the self steering system, but it needs apparent wind to work. The lower the friction in the system is, the less apparent wind force is needed to start working. All the metal components of the wind vane are prefabricated by laser in 316 stainless steel and are ready for bolting on to the wooden frame. It really depends on the type of boat and whether you have a transom hung rudder or not, and things like that. Windy self steering strong and reliable self steering.
The hebridean selfsteering wind vane is a new design concept, good for diy sailors. Twentyfive years of wind vane steering ocean navigator. The hebridean self steering wind vane is a new design concept, good for diy sailors. We believe servopendulum systems like the monitor are usually your best option. Windys self steering gear will make your sailing experience more enjoyable. It uses the direction of the wind and the forward motion of the boat to steer, keeping you going at a constant angle to the wind. His talks and workshops became an instant success, not only because he knows this subject better than anyone else in the world, bus also because he always speaks generically about both wind operated self steering. Strong and light 25kg, voyager self steering units are easily ownerinstalled, in most cases in only 24 hours from start, to testing under sail. Some browsers may have problems in playing videos, if using internet explorer or firefox try the links below. I would like to add a simple self steering system, that uses the wind and the existing rudder. The windvane selfsteering handbook book, 2004 worldcat. The hebridean offers diy sailors the opportunity to build an affordable wind vane in wood and stainless.
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