Understanding Windvane Capabilities and Limitations

[Delancey]

Doesn't seem right to me either, the unit came with poor documentation. Not even a decent drawing. The casting at the top of the tube has a set screw which would also allow for trimming but a set screw seems like a dumber idea than a thumb screw you can't safely reach. Also the set screw seems like it would be difficult to access with the counter weight flopping around.

[model 10]

That looks to be the case. One reason that vane is not so expensive.. It would work better on a more classic transom. I would worry about falling ovbd at night adjusting that windvane.

[SaltyMonkey]

almost looked like a

SAILOMAT

OLDER model: http://www.sailomat.com/s601/

[Ocean Girl]

It was a wind pilot not a hydrovane!! Dang my brain!
Here is an email from my mom about their experience with self steering sailing RTW

"Do you mean our wind steering unit? It was a Wind Pilot. The two autopilots pooped out completely (after being repaired 3 times) in Australia.All we had then was the wind steering unit and the tiller pilot.
Love
mom"

[atoll]

Originally Posted by cwyckham

I guess that's why every windvane I've seen (which I'm sure is far, far fewer than the ones you've seen) have a break-away and lanyard so you don't lose the paddle.

most disconcerting when that happens,and all you got left are the lanyard and the breakaway,or the gearbox missing a vital a bit

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by Delancey

Doesn't seem right to me either, the unit came with poor documentation. Not even a decent drawing. The casting at the top of the tube has a set screw which would also allow for trimming but a set screw seems like a dumber idea than a thumb screw you can't safely reach. Also the set screw seems like it would be difficult to access with the counter weight flopping around.

Very odd. Lots of videos on the intergoogle. None of them show adjustment? A couple seem to show a big knob up at the top casting that might be an adjustment knob. Don't see it on yours, though. May be the angle.

I'd be worried about the windage on that big red arrow. Might throw the whole thing off. I'd think about trimming it

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by atoll

most disconcerting when that happens,and all you got left are the lanyard and the breakaway,or the gearbox missing a vital a bit

I won't ask what those seas were like...

[Suijin]

Back to the OP's original question, depending on the boat and the wind vane you have, your biggest limitation is going to be in light air. Windvanes do very well in heavy air and heavy weather.

As for their usefulness, delivered a 44' cutter across the Atlantic in December. The monitor wind vane steered us 2775 out of 2800 miles, most of it DDW, and even when running bare poles in Force 10 conditions that lasted about 6 hours.

If you're single handing, they are almost indispensable. You can largely set-and-forget in order to make lunch, fix something, nap, etc. and you don't have to worry about wind shifts (if your AP is old like mine).

They don't like flukey winds, obviously, and if there is a sudden and dramatic wind shift they often have difficulty recovering if the angle change is too much...the air vane just becomes a useless kite lol.

[SaltyMonkey]

Well, there's also the sidewinding thing if you don't set the boat and vane right

[model 10]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Well, there's also the sidewinding thing if you don't set the boat and vane right

I must have had that problem but which one was that?

[SaltyMonkey]

Where your boat is constantly adjusting to the wind as you track in S'es back and forth again and again, so you loose forward direction. Your wake looks like a slalom course

[atoll]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Where your boat is constantly adjusting to the wind as you track in S'es back and forth again and again, so you loose forward direction. Your wake looks like a slalom course

that only happens if you haven't centered your tiller or wheel relative to the windvane center position.

or if the gearing on the servo is very worn and has a lot of play,

on servo pendulum windvanes

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

Where your boat is constantly adjusting to the wind as you track in S'es back and forth again and again, so you loose forward direction. Your wake looks like a slalom course

I've never had that, myself, but I can see how it might happen. There is some skill involved to have balanced sails. Generally, you want to feel the boat yourself and understand that it's balanced, and then engage the windvane. If your kingspoke is marked on the wheel, you can visually see if the boat is out of balance and the vane is feeding in too much rudder and slowing you down.

[cwyckham]

Originally Posted by atoll

that only happens if you haven't centered your tiller or wheel relative to the windvane center position.

or if the gearing on the servo is very worn and has a lot of play,

on servo pendulum windvanes

It wouldn't necessarily be centered going upwind, I don't think? You'd have a bit of weather helm, and then lock the wheel or tiller when the vane is standing upright. Then it would supply a little bit of weather helm all the time? It's been a while since I've done this.

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by atoll

that only happens if you haven't centered your tiller or wheel relative to the windvane center position.

or if the gearing on the servo is very worn and has a lot of play,

on servo pendulum windvanes

oh yehaw! or misbalanced over raked haha on SaltyMonkey!