"Thomas Wentworth" wrote in message
news:VJzOg.4$I.1@trndny05...
I have seen these on many boats over the years. I have never operated one
though.

What is the cost of a self steering windvane system? Where does one go to
purchase one?

How much work is it to install? Will it work for coastal cruising?

I have the Monitor Windvane on VALIS (a Pacific Seacraft 44), and it cost
about $4,000 for the system, and took a couple of days to install. I had to
drill holes in the stern for the mounting bracket, assemble the various
pieces of stainless tubing, etc, mount some turning blocks in the cockpit
for the control lines, and attach a special hub to the steering wheel (you
can also use this system with a tiller). The Monitor is made by Scanmar:
http://www.selfsteer.com/ -- they manufacture and sell other windvane
systems besides the Monitor, and are good people.

There are various types of windvanes out there, and depending on your boat's
characteristics you may prefer one style over another. The Monitor is a
"servo-pendulum" type, and provides a lot of steering power and
sensitivity -- perfect for my heavy-displacement boat. The Scanmar website
has some good general information about windvanes, and a google search will
find lots more info on the subject.

A windvane will work for coastal cruising, but I don't know if it is worth
the hassle. I like the windvane because it doesn't draw any power during my
long (multi-week) passages. I also have a below-deck autopilot, and the
combination of the two systems is great. Occasionally, a windvane control
line will chafe through, and having the autopilot instantly ready to engage
is really handy. Of course, autopilots can fail too, so having the windvane
gives me the redundancy I want. For coastal cruising I might just have the
electronic autopilot, and be prepared to hand-steer if it failed (or carry a
spare).

Windvanes can be quite hypnotizing to watch in operation, by the way.

Good Luck,
Paul