We installed an old
Fleming Minor
wind vane this week on our 35'
cutter. In the sea trials we could not get it to
work 
While motoring it would steer the
boat through about 90 degrees before correcting. At least that worked. But sailing was a different matter. We had the
sails balanced but it would just shoot off in one direction and not correct regardless what way we set it.
The instructions for this heritage unit are scant to say the least, written by someone who well knew how they worked, but could not relate it to others. The
manuals for the latter models are better written but we are still in the dark as to how to set this thing properly.
We have taught but not guitar tight lines with minimal pulleys (2) from the unit to the
wheel.
There is a small pulley on the top of the unit that runs a small cog meshing into the bigger ring
gear. We imagine that it controls the course direction and tried to use it to set the course, but that did not
work either.
If anyone has experience with these metalurgical masterpieces than we would love to hear what you have to say. Tips, tricks, etc.
PS: it is the first series of
Fleming units produced.
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