Whats the best windvane?

[Fi2010]

In the USA it’s more affordable to purchase a US made Monitor. Additionally, acquiring parts is particularly easy with Scanmar International. The company building the Monitor.

[Soundhaven]

Do you have a Ratcliffe wind vane?
If so, will you please send me any information you have about them? A manual would be excellent.
Noreenlight(@)gmail.com
Thank you.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Soundhaven

Do you have a Ratcliffe wind vane?
If so, will you please send me any information you have about them? A manual would be excellent.
Noreenlight(@)gmail.com
Thank you.

I don't have one now (unfortunately), but I had one for many years until I sold the boat. Let me know which model you have and I'll dig some information on it.

[Soundhaven]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

I don't have one now (unfortunately), but I had one for many years until I sold the boat. Let me know which model you have and I'll dig some information on it.

I don't know which model I have. Here are some photos of the components:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/hzWUDjDvX5T7egMC7

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pnwz5TFUCFFFp2547

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LeVa45TiBii7w9jg9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Tr99csaULQwmLvzE8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WbbJUCYdnbxo7RqM9

[markpierce]

Had a wind vane knocked off the mast about 60 years ago crossing under the eastern end of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. It had worked well, but don't remember the builder/model.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by Soundhaven

I don't know which model I have. Here are some photos of the components:

This is the trim tab model made for transom-hung/outboard rudders. This is the same model I had and I logged 30K miles with one and absolutely no problems. I still have the documentation! I'll send you an email.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Had a wind vane knocked off the mast about 60 years ago crossing under the eastern end of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. It had worked well, but don't remember the builder/model.

Sorry for your loss of long ago, the ones we are talking about are installed at the transom where we can reach them for a quick repair.

[Don C L]

I have my old school vane for sale now (in classifieds) and it is the QME style but much bigger and much more professionally built. It is suited for something like a Westsail 32 that may not be convenient for a servo style vane off the stern.

[Dulls]

Originally Posted by mawtty

FLEMMING Servo Pendulum.
Jessica Watson used it in her solo circumnavigation.
Much superior to others for reliability and function.

Not really a helpful post all in all.....if you make a claim at least back it up.

[MWGDVC]

I purchased a secondhand Sailomat 601 recently. I just finished mounting it and running the lines. Seems a very robust and well thought out piece of kit. Haven't sea trialed it yet.
I have davits and mounted it 16" off center to avoid interference with the stern ladder. The manufacturer's instructions support a 16" offset. The water rudder (steering oar?) just needs to be a bit deeper.

When the Sailomat is most practical, the dinghy won't be on the davits anyway. For shorter runs I will use electronic autopilot.
For me the servo pendulum made more sense. The transom of my boat was never intended to carry steering loads imposed by the Hydrovane.

[davil]

somebody mentioned Fleming

What were John Fleming’s innovations after exactly 60 years of reliable servo-pendulum wind vane self-steering?
Technical innovation summary

John Fleming’s crucial twin design innovations incorporated in the Hebridean are seminal:
1. The solution combines frame and pendulum in a single simple unit that can be removed and stored when not required.
2. To enable full power and sensitivity across its range of movement the Hebridean permits the efficient use of a true horizontal vane axle for the first time in 60 years.

Together, these two innovative design elements – each dependent on the other – represent a significant development in servo pendulum wind vane self steering options. Complex high-maintenance engineered links between vane and pendulum are no longer mandatory. Nor are specialised low stretch lines and low friction blocks crucial. Marcel Gianoli’s 15-20 degrees offset ‘horizontal’ vane axle has featured on all servo-pendulum wind vanes since the ECA engineer’s angled axle solution first rendered the concept reliable. And what a leap forward that was, contributing to Eric Tabarly’s 1964 OSTAR victory aboard Penduick II.
============================================

Steer my 1978 Tartan 34 for 5 years flawlessness.

Met Fleming in San Diego where he set shop after leaving his country., built the unit for my boat.
Installation was very easy
Worn out one bushing, and he sent me a replacement while in Mexico promptly.
Not sure if they are in production.
It was light and responsive.
If a used one is available, could be a nice option.

In my current boat have a Monitor, totally different setup, much heavier.

Doing coastal mostly do not find it as useful as straight offshore, but the times I get the wind and heading to matching the experience is wonderful.

On the Monitor, after 6 years since installing a used one, service is outstanding!

Scanmar keeps records of each unit with the upgrades if any as well able to provide brackets and modifications to the new boat install.

If price was not an issue, will have looked at the Canadian (cannot remember name) because lighter and straight single tubing to the transom.


The second choice will have been Hydrovane because the auxiliary ruder but again, price was an issue

[dlj]

Originally Posted by roverhi

I've always questioned the Hydrovanes steering ability in light air. With just the wind to do the physical work of turning that large rudder wonder how effectivive it could be with so little force doing the steering. They work but it seems to defy physics.

The Hydrovane has three settings for the mechanical advantage from vane to rudder. I call them 1st gear, 2nd gear and 3rd gear. In light winds use 1st gear, most of the time 2nd gear and high winds third gear. No defying physics, it's simple mechanics. I found the unit to work superbly in all wind conditions and points of sail.

My cockpit is sufficiently complicated such that I didn't want more lines running to the wheel plus I really liked the idea of the axillary rudder. I have a below decks autopilot also that works well but much prefer using the Hydrovane for everything but short inland sailing trips. Ocean legs for sure, but I also use it to run shorter legs even those that are more complicated than just running a long rumb line. I also have a tiller pilot from an old boat I had so if needed I could run the Hydrovane - as others have suggested - I could do that. I've not needed that option.

I had a servo pendulum type on an earlier boat - they work well.

dj

[barnakiel]

There may be a new vindvane on the market in about 2025.


Independent / own rudder, just like Hydrovane or the Pacific+. The ruder foil very efficient design +30% steering force from same area. Less drag too.



Lighter by about 20 pounds. With selectable vertical or horizontal wing. The wing is also a foil - more turning force, less drag.



And with a remote switch (mechanical or electrical - as requested by the client). No need to go from the cockpit to the vane to switch it on or off.



Price to match the demand/supply rule.


I will post details when the proto finished testing, likely summer 2025 (the proto crosses to the Carribean now, back to Europe in June).



b.