Hydrovane

[svpattyd]

Originally Posted by George Raffa

I just purchased a Island Packet with a Hydrovane syatem. I am using the boat for coastal cruising and currently do not have a use for it. The previous owner used it to sail to France and back through the islands,etc. If you have any interest I was thinking of selling it. I am not sure what price would be fair, but a lot less than a new one.

I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED!!! Please reply to boat2050@yahoo.com

[austinrick]

Are there any proven alternatives to Hydrovane for a similar non-invasive (no wires, no holes, etc.) system, independent of helm and main rudder? Something appropriate to a Bayfield 29.

[robert sailor]

There are a couple of servo vanes driving an independent rudder, more powerful than the Hydrovane. WindPilot out of Germany and a smaller firm South Atlantic Windvane.
Peter runs Windpilot and not sure of the fellows name with SA.

[roverhi]

Have a WindPilot Pacific Plus on my boat. Sailed to Hawaii DDW almost the whole way. Steered the boat fine in relative winds that were in the 5-8 knot range with 6' following seas. Ran wing and wing with the 135 genoa poles out and full main. Averaged 6 knots for the whole trip on a 25' water line. If there is enough wind for the wind vane to sense, the vane will steer my boat. Can even use it to steer when the boat is barely moving by manually displacing the wind vane.

Installation was a snap. Did it in a few hours in the rain by myself. Made up a bigger lightweight wind vane out of corrugated plastic. Works way better in light air than the supplied plywood vane.

[daletournier]

I understand your concern regarding price but once spent you will forget the price and find yourself regularly watching this device steer your boat effortlessly with no noise and no power draw. Prior to my purchasing my hydrovane I asked a respected friend what he thought of his and he said I quote "I wish I invented it as it is such s beautiful thing".
Its a 10/10.
Dale
Freeform.

[rgleason]

Auto helm from scan mar totally separate. All stainless and fg rudder and tab. Good install technique with good dwgs customized for boat. Support brackets designed and made for particular boat. Read instructions measure five times drill holes and install.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by austinrick

Are there any proven alternatives to Hydrovane for a similar non-invasive (no wires, no holes, etc.) system, independent of helm and main rudder? Something appropriate to a Bayfield 29.

Another candidate is the Auto Helm (not to be confused with the autopilot of the same name), sold by Scanmar in the SF area.

Jim

[austinrick]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

There are a couple of servo vanes driving an independent rudder, more powerful than the Hydrovane. WindPilot out of Germany and a smaller firm South Atlantic Windvane.
Peter runs Windpilot and not sure of the fellows name with SA.

I just sent an email off to South Atlantic. Their S-234 system may be just what I need, and affordable! Thanks so much for the lead!

And thanks to the rest of you for responding!