Does anyone set their autohelm to steer to the wind direction reported by a wind instrument? I would imagine that to be a pretty efficient way of sailing upwind single handed. (set the helm to steer x degrees off wind then you're free to trim sails to get best speed)? Or am I dreaming? Patrick
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Windvane steering methods
You are absolutely right; not only is windvane-controlled steering very effective when sailing close to the wind but also when sailing at relatively large wind angles when there is the constant threat of an uncontrolled gybe. For a windvane to be effective it has to be: (a) positioned away from foul air or wind shadows; (b) large enough to be responsive to light winds and small wind variations; and (c)light enough (or well enough dampened) to be relatively insensitive to seastate. Although I don't have experience with the Autohelm model you appear to be referring to, a similar attempt to use a Navico windvane many years ago gave disappointing results because it failed to meet the above criteria. On the other hand, we have now been sailing with a true windvane (incidentally called "the Autohelm") for nearly a decade and are very happy with the results. Once one has learned to steer with a high quality windvane-type selfsteering device anything else pales by comparison. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
You are absolutely right; not only is windvane-controlled steering very effective when sailing close to the wind but also when sailing at relatively large wind angles when there is the constant threat of an uncontrolled gybe. For a windvane to be effective it has to be: (a) positioned away from foul air or wind shadows; (b) large enough to be responsive to light winds and small wind variations; and (c)light enough (or well enough dampened) to be relatively insensitive to seastate. Although I don't have experience with the Autohelm model you appear to be referring to, a similar attempt to use a Navico windvane many years ago gave disappointing results because it failed to meet the above criteria. On the other hand, we have now been sailing with a true windvane (incidentally called "the Autohelm") for nearly a decade and are very happy with the results. Once one has learned to steer with a high quality windvane-type selfsteering device anything else pales by comparison. Have fun! Flying Dutchman
Even better idea
Don't adjust the sheets. Just set them for the closest angle to the wind and let the pilot do the rest. If you get a lift it will adjust and you'll be making the best windward progress possible. A properly adjusted system can out steer most helmsman in normal conditions over a few hours time. For the first hour or so you might be a good as the vane, but as soon as you get a little fatigue it does a better job. It doesn't work so well in bigger waves because the vane cannot see the wave and anticipate what os going to happen.
Don't adjust the sheets. Just set them for the closest angle to the wind and let the pilot do the rest. If you get a lift it will adjust and you'll be making the best windward progress possible. A properly adjusted system can out steer most helmsman in normal conditions over a few hours time. For the first hour or so you might be a good as the vane, but as soon as you get a little fatigue it does a better job. It doesn't work so well in bigger waves because the vane cannot see the wave and anticipate what os going to happen.
Works great!
Set the autopilot (Raymarine in my case) to maintain a constant angle to the wind and enjoy fine-tuning your sail trim. It's important that the autopilot steer to the apparent wind, since the wind angle changes (moves forward) as the boat accelerates.
Set the autopilot (Raymarine in my case) to maintain a constant angle to the wind and enjoy fine-tuning your sail trim. It's important that the autopilot steer to the apparent wind, since the wind angle changes (moves forward) as the boat accelerates.
upwind vane performance not a real test;
at least not for Rivendel II. I can usually trim her sails well enough to lock the wheel and steer close to the wind, vane or no vane. In fact, on our upwind passage from Queensland, Australia to Vanuatu (July 2000) I asked our crew member on watch if he had fully optimized the windvane, rudder and sail settings, as I noticed (reading the handcompass I take below on the offwatch) that we were zigzagging a bit more than usual. He then discovered that we had been sailing the last six hours or so with the windvane (and thus the accessory rudder as well as the main rudder) locked in place. Yet, sailtrim alone had let Rivendel make pretty good progress against 20 knot winds and heavy seas! No, the real test of a vane's performance is downwind, when a small shift in wind may get one in big trouble if the autopilot is steering a compass course. That is where a good windvane should be able to outsteer most any flesh-and-blood pilot. Have fun! Flying Dutchman OTOH when it becomes necessary to steer really close to the gybe on a dark night, there is nothing like handsteering, provided one has enough hair around the neck and jaw to feel the wind shift a few degrees and know when the vessel is sailing by the lee....
at least not for Rivendel II. I can usually trim her sails well enough to lock the wheel and steer close to the wind, vane or no vane. In fact, on our upwind passage from Queensland, Australia to Vanuatu (July 2000) I asked our crew member on watch if he had fully optimized the windvane, rudder and sail settings, as I noticed (reading the handcompass I take below on the offwatch) that we were zigzagging a bit more than usual. He then discovered that we had been sailing the last six hours or so with the windvane (and thus the accessory rudder as well as the main rudder) locked in place. Yet, sailtrim alone had let Rivendel make pretty good progress against 20 knot winds and heavy seas! No, the real test of a vane's performance is downwind, when a small shift in wind may get one in big trouble if the autopilot is steering a compass course. That is where a good windvane should be able to outsteer most any flesh-and-blood pilot. Have fun! Flying Dutchman OTOH when it becomes necessary to steer really close to the gybe on a dark night, there is nothing like handsteering, provided one has enough hair around the neck and jaw to feel the wind shift a few degrees and know when the vessel is sailing by the lee....
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