Windvane steering
 

I'm looking hard at windvane steering. I know Roger likes the Cape
Horn but I seriously wonder how you replace a broken control line
standing on your head in the middle of a storm.
The Monitor and Fleming take up too much space on the stern.
That leaves Sailomat and Pacific on my short list.
Anybody have any experiences with any of these units?
Thanks
Gordon

Windvane steering
 

No direct experience but ::: I talked to a sailor who used the Cape Horn on
his boat as he sailed across
the Atlantic, and back to the Caribbean and then to the Chesapeake.

He was happy.



==
"Gordon" wrote in message
m...
I'm looking hard at windvane steering. I know Roger likes the Cape Horn
but I seriously wonder how you replace a broken control line standing on
your head in the middle of a storm.
The Monitor and Fleming take up too much space on the stern.
That leaves Sailomat and Pacific on my short list.
Anybody have any experiences with any of these units?
Thanks
Gordon

Windvane steering
 

Roger Long wrote:
I wouldn't reject the Cape Horn because of replacing the control lines.
Keep in mind that they are entirely below decks and not exposed to UV. Yves
recommends using lighter lines so they will be the failure point in an over
stress situation. You could also use heavier lines and a lashing on one of
the easier to reach turning blocks for the "fuse". I think the fairly
remote possibility of having to replace a line in challenging conditions is
a good trade off for not having all that extra gear and lines running around
the cockpit and to the wheel. That would concern me more in heavy weather.

If you have a tiller boat, there is probably less incentive to go with the
Cape Horn but it is still a very simple and reliable unit with many
thousands of miles of proven performance.

The windvane section of my website was recently updated:

http://home.maine.rr.com/rlma/Windvane.htm

--
Roger Long





I've looked at your site and it appears like it would be a bugger to
replace a line, or even to check them occasionally. Maybe the pictures
are skewing my perspective. A Cape Horn would probably be much easier to
install and inspect on my boat.
That said, I'm still looking and comparing.
Gordon

Windvane steering
 

Roger Long wrote:
"Gordon" wrote
I've looked at your site and it appears like it would be a bugger to
replace a line, or even to check them occasionally. Maybe the pictures are
skewing my perspective.

They (the pictures) are. It's not as bad as it looks. I could probably do
a whole replacement in 5 - 10 minutes. The blocks are all reachable from
the hatch.

I would expect better reliability on these lines than on any of the running
rigging which is out in the sun and weather and has a lot more chafe points.
Sure easier to replace one of these steering lines than a halyard!

The driving mechanism of the Cape Horn is breathtakingly elegant, no gears
to pinch your fingers or catch a stray line. Everything is enclosed.
Having the electric tiller pilot below decks is also a nice thing because
they are not terrifically watertight. OK for their intended use where they
are stowed below when not in use but not for permanent mounting out in the
weather as on many wind vane rigs.

The only major drawback I see to the Cape Horn is if you wanted a unit you
could easily take to another boat easily.

What kind of boat do you have?

--
Roger Long




I have a Pearson 365 ketch which opens up another can of worms.
Sailomat and windpilot (and I don't know how many others) have clearance
issues with the mizzen boom. The mizzen boom is 40 inches above the
transom and sticks out 13 inches beyond the stern.
Gordon

Windvane steering
 

"Gordon" wrote in message
m...
I have a Pearson 365 ketch which opens up another can of worms. Sailomat
and windpilot (and I don't know how many others) have clearance
issues with the mizzen boom. The mizzen boom is 40 inches above the
transom and sticks out 13 inches beyond the stern.
Gordon


Those are nice boats.. almost bought one, but bid a tad too low.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com