Monitor windvane.

[Orrjames]

Hi there!
I'm thinking about installing a monitor windvain, not sure if its worth the effort, due to the fact that I know nothing about them except I've heard good things. How do you use them, and can you use them on a ketch? I have a '79 pearson 365 ketch and will be going long distances in the future. Any input?

[Nessus]

Being promotional it is biased but informative

Monitor Windvane 1995 promo part 1 of 2 - YouTube

Monitor Windvane 1995 promo part 2 of 2 - YouTube

[maxingout]

I had an Aires on my Westsail 32, and it did good on every point of sail except dead downwind.

If I was sailing long distances, I would avoid sailing dead down wind in a monohull because of the rolling of the hull. It gets tiring on long passages.

Tacking downwind gives a steadier motion to the boat and makes it easy for the windvane to do it's magic.

[Orrjames]

Thank you!

[Nessus]

Is there a limitation on how large a vessel can be before a wind vane is ineffective?

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Orrjames

Hi there!
I'm thinking about installing a monitor windvain, not sure if its worth the effort, due to the fact that I know nothing about them except I've heard good things. How do you use them, and can you use them on a ketch? I have a '79 pearson 365 ketch and will be going long distances in the future. Any input?

Monitor have not fitted a 365 ketch as far as their web site shows and I'm not sure one would even work on a ketch unless one pulls down the mizzen sail. The turbulence from the mizzen would misdirect the vane. But don't know for sure. Check out their web site. >>> http://www.selfsteer.com/index.php

I have a monitor and I can tell you it will sail before the wind but it needs to be enough to keep the boat moving at 5 kt or better. And at 5 kt it'll snake/yaw a bit but does stay in the general set direction.

[Sailormantx]

Windvanes need apparent wind to work, the more there is the better they like it. I haves schooner with the main overhanging the stern by a few inches and have no problem with the sail affecting the vane.

[marc2012]

There is a p365 here with a monitor on it.marc