Mike Coon wrote:
Ian wrote:
On 29 Apr, 15:25, "Lew Hodgett" wrote:
I presume "her team" weren't daft enough to send her out with only
electrical autopilots when simple, reliable windvanes have been
available for fifty years. Were they?

Ian

I've never sailed with any sort of windvane, probably because they are too
temperamental and vulnerable to fit to inshore charter boats. But I have
used wheel-pilots, bolt-on tiller jobs and built-in heavy duty jobs.

Anything "reliable" is only so until it breaks. Then the advantage of
windvanes to blue-water sailors (I gather from my reading) is that they can
be repaired with DIY skills and easily carried spare parts. Though, since
they are mostly outboard, not without some danger.

So, as usual, maybe it is horses (colts or fillies) for courses...

Mike.

Windvanes are good for sailing in the open oceans where winds are
undisturbed, Inshore, mountains and islands and spits and winding
channels all contribute to change wind direction so your boat goes where
the wind goes.
Also, motoring is hard on windvanes due to the turbulent waters
coming off the prop. Things are constantly vibrating and wearing out faster.
Gordon