Windvanes & self steering systems.

[Iceman]

At the risk of being labeled a darn yankee
If anyone comes across a good used a.k.a. hurricane damaged windvane for my Voyager please inform me
Boat displaces 6700 lbs


Monitor, Aries or Windpilot

Ice

[s/v Faith]

I'll tell you about the second one I come across. 

[Zen]

put me in for the third one!! 

I was just thinking about that when looking at the pictures from the big blow.
Man, I bet there are some good parts to be had cheap there!

[Captain Smollett]

Just out of curiosity, have any of you tried the sheet-to-tiller self steering?  I've used it and found it quite effective.  And simple.  And cheap.  And no specialized gear attached to my stern.

Balancing the sails and getting the setup balanced just so is probably trickier than with a vane (I've never used a wind vane).

[Zen]

I have some instructions on how to set that up. but have yet to try.
I have heard it works, but nothing about on a long passage under questionable seas...

[Captain Smollett]

I have heard it works, but nothing about on a long passage under questionable seas...

It certainly won't work in conditions for which there are no sails set.  As for sea state, I have not tried it in rough conditions, but see no reason it would not work; if need be, one could rig a tackle between the control line and the tiller for force multiplication.  Also, I think yawing about desired course with s-t-t steering is greater than with a vane, but I've found I can live with it.

It's my understanding from reading various experiences with it is that its biggest drawback is some tinkering is required to get things balanced.  I think a wind vane is much quicker to set up.

Also, it adds some work to tacking; you essentially have to unrig and re-rig on the other side.

[Triton218]

I know where you can get half of one.

[Iceman]

Just got home from holiday travel
Which half?

Iceman

[Frank]

No...not as good...BUT..less than $75..not $2500 !!! .http://www.todspages.net/SSa-SelfSteering.html
     

[Frank]

Or if you're stuck on a 'vane'  http://www.mindspring.com/~waltmur/Self-Steering   nice guy,relatively simple to build...$2-300

[Captain Smollett]

Or if you're stuck on a 'vane'  http://www.mindspring.com/~waltmur/Self-Steering   nice guy,relatively simple to build...$2-300

Yes, Walter Murray is very cool.  I've had email correspondence with him for several years.  He's a retired mechanical engineer, which may help give some confidence in his design.

[Amorous]

I don't know if I am just lucky or what but Amorous seems to have no trouble steering herself with only the jib set and a somewhat adjustable bungee cord strung from one winch to another across the cockpit.
I think a vane will eliminate the bit of zigging and zagging that happens in gusty conditions but all in all it's not so bad now.
I will probably install a cape horn vane though as I like it's engineering simpicity and common sense approach.

[kingfish]

I have had two types. My last boat a monitor. Cost me a bundle but worked perfectly. Once you got it set. They are kinda like a sextant, they take a while to figure out, but once you got it.....you got it.  I just bought a autohelm set up for penuts. I like the idea of it because no lines go into the cockpit and it gives you a spare rudder when in need. I have yet to use it, but the salty captain I bought it from says it is great. I still have to build a mount for it but when it is up and running I inform the masses. As far as the monitor, When I used it for my passage to hawaii, I did not have to touch the tiller for over 3 days. with no problem tracking. If you can afford one, or build one yourself, I highly suggest it.
Cheers
D

[psyche]

Has anyone on the list used or know anyone who has a Norvane Windvane? I am considering one for my 8.7 Columbia and would like feedback on the Norvane. Dan

[AllAboutMe]

Dan,
I had been thinking that you had the windvane that Doc Dave had built? No? I haven't seen anything on the Norvane in all my research, but I'll put out some enquiries in the other forums and see what I can find out.
Larry Wilson

[psyche]

Larry,
Dr. Dave had taken the windvane off of Psyche and sold it separately before I purchased the boat. I Tried to purchase the Navic from Robert but he sold it to someone else. The Norvane Literature looks good with a lot of testimonials from users. The price is reasonable when compaired to the Monitor and others. I want to talke to someone who has used one before I spend that much money. Dan

[Zen]

http://www.windpilot.de/Grafiken/pdf/bookeng.pdf

http://www.pathfinderselfsteering.com/

http://cruisenews.net/cgi-bin/windvane/windvane.pl

[s/v Faith]

The plans offered by;

http://www.pathfinderselfsteering.com/

  Sound interesting.  Anyone know of anyone who has used them?

[AllAboutMe]

The Pathfinder is a refinement of a system used for 20 years plus by Dr. David Parker. He built and installed it on several boats, but it's never been commercialized before now. Your best shot at learning about it would be to talk to Dave directly, or log into the Yahoo ColumbiaYachts Discussion group. He's there just about every day, and his e mail address is posted.
Larry Wilson

[CapnK]

Good links guys! Both the Norvane and the Pathfinder bear some more investigation...