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GDD · 20-07-2011, 10:11

Auto-Helm Rudder Trim Tab Wind Vane Self Steering for Sale

$1800 obo

For Sale: Auto-helm windvane self-steering equipment. See the full details here: http://www.selfsteer.com/products/autohelm/index.php

This system uses a horizontal axis wind vane to control a trim-tab on its own fully independent rudder. No connection to your boat’s steering system is necessary. Great for a boat with hydraulic steering or a center cockpit, or as a way to add an emergency rudder and wind vane at the same time.

It came off a 24 000lb 36 foot long ferro-cement cruiser and I’m sure it could steer something larger.

Note, the gear is not new. The mounting brackets are heavily corroded and need to have sections of pipe replaced. The anodized aluminum piping is not too hard to come by. There is a little tiny bit of cracking in the aluminum aero-foil. Building a spare aero-foil out of plywood should be easy, a spare vane is always carried by offshore sailors anyway.

The price reflects the fact that a bit of work is required; however, it’s not much more than would be required to adapt any wind-vane to a new boat. Adapting to any different boat would require new pipes in the mounting because this bracket was custom made for my old boat.

I believe the gear is about 10-15 years old and spent most that time in storage. The corrosion I’ve mentioned here is all galvanic caused by using stainless-steel fasteners and washers without isolating the stainless from the aluminum. The corrosion is not from age and time at sea. The rudder and trim tab (being all fiberglass and stainless steel) are in remarkably good shape.

The gear was taken off the boat to be re-built, but then the boat was sold. Some small parts (nut, bolts etc) likely got misplaced. However; the key valuable components are all there and in good shape.

PM me an email address and I will send a few high-res photos you can zoom in on.

GDD · 20-07-2011, 10:23

I forgot to mention it is in Vancouver BC

AussieAshley · 29-07-2011, 17:56

Hi,

Please send me the pictures if this vane is still for sale.
cheers,

GDD · 30-07-2011, 17:01

Will do,

Thanks for looking.

GDD · 08-09-2011, 21:01

Hi Everyone,

The AutoHelm is still for sale. I'm dropping the price to $1500

cheers,

george

sailadventurer · 14-10-2011, 05:02

Is the Autohelm gear still available? I am very interested.

GDD · 14-10-2011, 08:29

Hi,
Yes she is still for sale. PM an email address if you would like me to send you photos.

Cheers,

George

sailadventurer · 14-10-2011, 08:39

My email is sailadventurer@gmail.com
Do you still have the control cables?
could you provide some close up photos of the gudgeons, and of the brackets and airvane's base/mount?
Thanks!
Todd