Considering a windvane kit

[foojin]

I have been looking about for a windvane. Prices can take your breath away.

Had a Monitor on a previous boat, but doubt I could afford another.

Found sites that sell DIY kits, including:

Self-steering Servo-Pendulum Wind Vane Kit & Plans for DIY Kit for Sailors | www.windvaneselfsteering.co.uk
Fay Marine vane steering plans
and
http://www.hollandwindvane.com/self-steering/index.htm

Anyone know about these or any other kits and how they measure up?

[Jon Neely]

Resolute just made a video about their experiences making a vane:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlVmD2ZM0Dk

We love our Old Flemming Major, works great if you can find one second hand.
Hope that helps,

Jon

[Jon Neely]

Also, I did not watch the video due to limited bandwidth, but I was there when Eric was making it in PV and it sure seemed interesting but a lot of work! If I am not mistaken it ended up costing a lot for custom fabrication and welding, and that was in "cheap" mexico, hopefully the video sheds light on this.

Jon

[foojin]

Thanks Jon,

Mister Vee is a new one to me. Does look like a hell of a lot of work to do it the way Resolute did. The video raises many questions.

Have downloaded the brochure. Will read.

[alctel]

I'm in the middle of building the Hebridean that you linked.

The kit I bought you had to shape all your own SS pieces which was quite a pain in the butt - the new kits come with all the pieces already shaped and cut, saving a huge amount of time.

John Fleming (the creator) is very responsive to email and will offer help and support. He's constantly updating the manual as well and sends out new pages to people who bought a set of plans.

[DeepFrz]

The hydrovane looks like it is very well built and built. I'm sure it is quite expensive though.

[JeffBr]

I found this system online, looks interesting Freehand Steering System - AndersonBoatworks
Jeff

[foojin]

Yes, Hydrovane is expensive. This week they quoted me a boat show price in US dollars even though we are neighbours in Canada. After conversion, the vane delivered is almost CAD$8,000 before installation.

My wife did a rough calc, figures we'd be pushing up against $10,000 when all was said and done.

But I think it is a good product. Expect they are not cheap to build and market.

[foojin]

Originally Posted by alctel

I'm in the middle of building the Hebridean that you linked.

The kit I bought you had to shape all your own SS pieces which was quite a pain in the butt - the new kits come with all the pieces already shaped and cut, saving a huge amount of time.

John Fleming (the creator) is very responsive to email and will offer help and support. He's constantly updating the manual as well and sends out new pages to people who bought a set of plans.

Too funny. We are on the same dock.

When we come by as promised with a bottle of homemade to study your new radio setup, I will also steal your vane ideas.

[alctel]

Originally Posted by foojin

Too funny. We are on the same dock.

When we come by as promised with a bottle of homemade to study your new radio setup, I will also steal your vane ideas.

Ahh, didn't realise it was you! Yeah, I'll show you what I've built so far as well

[Jon Neely]

I would keep an eye out for a used aries or flemming. I have seen them for 800-1500 in good shape on here, craigslist and latitude 38. There are also a few boat classifieds pages on facebook that seem to have a lot of traffic.

Jon

[chuckr]

We took a hard look at wind before we left and then again last year and from a financial standpoint we just could not justify it. On a discounted cash flow basis wind just does not make sense when compared to buying diesel --

[DeepFrz]

Originally Posted by foojin

Yes, Hydrovane is expensive. This week they quoted me a boat show price in US dollars even though we are neighbours in Canada. After conversion, the vane delivered is almost CAD$8,000 before installation.

My wife did a rough calc, figures we'd be pushing up against $10,000 when all was said and done.

But I think it is a good product. Expect they are not cheap to build and market.

Wow, that is insane.

[double u]

...1000miles of handsteering might change your mind...

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Looks like you are located in the PNW. Not quite sure what your price range is, but here is a used Aeries in Ballard (Seattle) for $1200 off Craigslist. Probably did not sell at the Fisheries Swap Meet a week ago.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bpo/6075440281.html

There is also a Cape Horn in Ladysmith, BC for significantly more $$ (4500), but looks very robust.

https://victoria.craigslist.ca/bpo/6050238261.html

Good luck with your project