Buying a used windvane - worth the risk?

[SVTatia]

I am currently looking to buy a used windvane, but I am a cheap sailor and cannot afford to pay twice for the same thing. At the same time eager to avoid the $4K+ outlay for a new unit. Crazy, eh?

Is buying a used windvane a shot in the dark?

Looking at used units, prices vary from $1K to 3K. There are risks and the savings can evaporate rather quickly if not careful, but unless you have the selling unit measurements, how can you be careful?
Buying long distance or online is hard to be precise, hence the increased risk of spending more money later to make the unit fit the boat.

The problem is if we try to obtain further information and measurements before committing, someone else will just jump ahead and buy the unit. So, you need to act quickly, which multiplies the risk.

Peter Foerthmann, Windpilot’s owner wrote (the emphasys is mine): “Some of the prices asked and paid for sales both private and via eBay are remarkable, which is always great for sellers, but only great for buyers if their purchase turns out to be exactly what they thought they were getting and they don’t end up having to spend even more to arrive at a functional steering system for their particular situation.”

See the entire blog post here.

Even the relative simple units such as the Windpilot, as Peter puts it, consists of several modules to match the original purchase - the Pacific, for example has 5 installation options, 7 rudder shaft lengths, 2 windvane shaft lengths and 5 transmission variants.

So I’d appreciate hearing experiences from people who bought used units and care to share the lessons they learned. Was it worth it? Regrets?
Thanks in advance.

[carlosproa]

Consider building your own. If cost is an issue, there is a DIY kit for about $500

http://www.windvaneselfsteering.co.u...osts-plans.htm

There is another one all steel for about $1,000

[Boatguy30]

I heard windpilot was possibly in receivership. Considering buying my 5th or 6th used windvane if I find something suitable at the moment.

[Boatguy30]

That's 530 pound Sterling mate! And those things I don't think would hold up long term anything like a monitor or windpilot.

That's why you buy used. Should be 50% of boatshow sale new price and in good useable condition.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by carlosproa

Consider building your own. If cost is an issue, there is a DIY kit for about $500

http://www.windvaneselfsteering.co.u...osts-plans.htm

There is another one all steel for about $1,000

Thanks for posting. The problem with building your own is that you could be on for a lot of time trying to tune the thing...
But I'll check for suitablity.

BTW, my boat is 33ft, 12K lbs displacement.

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

I heard windpilot was possibly in receivership. Considering buying my 5th or 6th used windvane if I find something suitable at the moment.

The 5 or 6 that you bought were a direct fit?

The receivership issue is news to me! I hope its fake...

I am on the same boat so-to-speak, but a good price and a good fit is a matter of being at the right place at the right time....

We'll keep looking, but just don't look where I am looking...

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Boatguy30

...That's why you buy used. Should be 50% of boatshow sale new price and in good useable condition.

50% of retail price, you hardly find them at boat shows.
Anyway, not easily found, too much demand, not enough supply.... and then, that 50% could be eliminated if...

[Orion Jim]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

I am currently looking to buy a used windvane, but I am a cheap sailor and cannot afford to pay twice for the same thing. At the same time eager to avoid the $4K+ outlay for a new unit. Crazy, eh?

Is buying a used windvane a shot in the dark?

Looking at used units, prices vary from $1K to 3K. There are risks and the savings can evaporate rather quickly if not careful, but unless you have the selling unit measurements, how can you be careful?
Buying long distance or online is hard to be precise, hence the increased risk of spending more money later to make the unit fit the boat.

The problem is if we try to obtain further information and measurements before committing, someone else will just jump ahead and buy the unit. So, you need to act quickly, which multiplies the risk.

Peter Foerthmann, Windpilot’s owner wrote (the emphasys is mine): “Some of the prices asked and paid for sales both private and via eBay are remarkable, which is always great for sellers, but only great for buyers if their purchase turns out to be exactly what they thought they were getting and they don’t end up having to spend even more to arrive at a functional steering system for their particular situation.”

See the entire blog post here.

Even the relative simple units such as the Windpilot, as Peter puts it, consists of several modules to match the original purchase - the Pacific, for example has 5 installation options, 7 rudder shaft lengths, 2 windvane shaft lengths and 5 transmission variants.

So I’d appreciate hearing experiences from people who bought used units and care to share the lessons they learned. Was it worth it? Regrets?
Thanks in advance.

I bought a used Monitor but it was a huge mistake. I spent nearly the purchase price in repairs within the first year. Live and learn.
I purchased a new Monitor and I was stunned when they offered me a grand as a trade in value for my old unit! When my brand new unit arrived I just put my old unit in the box and put the shipping labels on the box....free return shipping included!
My new unit has been trouble free for five seasons and over six thousand miles. Your Luders and my Cape Dory are very similar, I’m positive a Monitor would be a great addition to your boat. For critical hardware it pays to buy the best.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

I bought a used Monitor but it was a huge mistake. I spent nearly the purchase price in repairs within the first year. Live and learn.
I purchased a new Monitor and I was stunned when they offered me a grand as a trade in value for my old unit! When my brand new unit arrived I just put my old unit in the box and put the shipping labels on the box....free return shipping included!
My new unit has been trouble free for five seasons and over six thousand miles. Your Luders and my Cape Dory are very similar, I’m positive a Monitor would be a great addition to your boat. For critical hardware it pays to buy the best.

Thanks for sharing the lessons learned. I totally agree with your last sentence and great to hear that a company would reach out and help a client in crisis the way they did.
The only issue I have with the Monitor is the space it takes. No doubt its an excellent windvane, perhaps only behind the Aries by installation numbers? But I'd like to continue to check my options with the "slender" ones if you will...

[Rigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

I bought a used Monitor but it was a huge mistake. I spent nearly the purchase price in repairs within the first year. Live and learn.
I purchased a new Monitor and I was stunned when they offered me a grand as a trade in value for my old unit! When my brand new unit arrived I just put my old unit in the box and put the shipping labels on the box....free return shipping included!
My new unit has been trouble free for five seasons and over six thousand miles. Your Luders and my Cape Dory are very similar, I’m positive a Monitor would be a great addition to your boat. For critical hardware it pays to buy the best.

I also bought a used Monitor, but have been pleased with it from the start. It is an older model, without the "U" shaped brace on the back of the struts. I added the brace myself before I mounted it to the boat. The people at Scanmar are very knowledgeable and helpful. They will send you the requirements for your particular hull, with example pictures from customers' installations.

[roverhi]

Have bought three used vanes and had no problem with any of them. One I ended up not using and resold to a guy who used it to sail around Hawaii for a couple of years with no problems. Another steered my boat to Hawaii and is still on the boat. The last one works fine but have only used it for day sailing.

If you don't have a transom stern, you need to figure what it will cost to make the mounting hardware. A canoe stern, outboard rudder, swim scoop among others have mounting problems as you can't bolt it directly to the transom. Had to fabricate brackets to run the steering lines for one installation. That was a boat generated issue not specific to the vane. Pulley sheave, and other bearings may wear so need to be checked for too much slop. On the other hand, often things that should move/rotate can be frozen and need to be loosened up/replaced. These are all things a thorough inspection will turn up, just a caution if it's an eBay purchase that you can't inspect. Haven't had anything turn up with any of the vanes I've bought, one from eBay and it's worked fine. Another steered the boat from New England to S. America, through the canal and up to SF.

Wouldn't worry too much about buying used if it's a vane that has been popular. Any kinks will have been worked out so should perform as advertised. That's not a guarantee that the vane will work on your boat but you'd have that problem with a new vane.

[FransvanBuuren]

Now.the windvane has the attention I like the opportuaty to ask for a second.hand Windpilot Pacific Plus 2. Mine is taken.of my ship and I like to have the same back.
Call me 0031 6 515 010 59 or mail shishco@live.nl
Frans van Buuren

[George DuBose]

I bought an older, but lightly used Aries in the US and shipped it to Germany. I took it to the Aries factory now in Amsterdam and the young owner of the company looked over, replaced one part and told me it was good to go. He also said the model I had was one of the better productions.

Aside from buying a wheel adapter and some universal blocks to run the control lines to the wheel, I had no other expenses.

I think I paid less than half of a new vane.

Although a Monitor was on the winning boat in the last GGR, I think #2 and #3 had Aries.

The new owner of Aries, Lean Nelis, is a young Dutchman and his service is exemplary.

[Cheechako]

I have bought a used Monitor twice and it was fine. One even came a bunch of spares with it.
I probably would avoid a wind vane with much aluminum on it though. But I suppose it depends on what it looks like.

[glcalahan]

Hello



I paid $3200 for a new Cape Horn. I did a fair amount research and got great service! Have not yet installed as I am doing a total rebuild BUT getting close!


Regards

[Paul Howard]

Many years ago I bought a used Hydrovane for about 1/3 new cost. It had steered a round trip of the Atlantic, Canada, to England and back. I then did a circumnavigation of the world using that Hydrovane and, other than replacing the fabric vane cover and one bearing, the unit was still good. The family that purchased the boat with windvane from me sailed another circumnavigation with it on the same boat.