We have a
Hydrovane on our
boat and have found it to catch sargassum weed in such a degree that it no longer can steer the
boat.
When crossing the Atlantic in 2017 we at times had to clean it every 5 minutes.
It is so frustrating when you sail around the clock and you have to be on the alert for this type of problem. We are a short handed crew and need all the rest we can get. It has happen more than once that the boat has taken a tack by herself when the vane is out of control. It's worse if you sail with a gennacker. Then it can take some time before you get back on track.
I find this unacceptable. It is dangerous hanging over the side trying to free the
rudder from the sargassum weed. You risk breaking a
rib or two or falling over board,
sails may get damaged and you are deprived of the rest you so badly need.
I have explained this to John at
Hydrovane and suggested they would redesign the
rudder with a taperd leading edge so that the
grass will travel down and under but they seem not interested in doing anything to rectify the problem.
I realise that a redesign may not be a simple task and would certainly need thorough testing but this problem is not going to disappear. It will probably get worse.
I have talked to a number of people with Hydrovane's and I am not alone having trouble with weed.
Our vane is mounted off centre, which is one of the key features according to the Hydrovane home page. It may be a less of a problem with centre mounted since you then have the
keel and the rudder in front to clear the way for the
wind rudder.
Are there others out there with the same problem and if so did you have a remedy to get the
gear working when confronted with this weed ?
/Hans