Trip to Europe (and back) begins

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I have heard good things about the Hydrovane and the Cape Horn. The only one I have personal experience with is the Monitor and it was very finicky and had a bad habit of either loosing course or having the rudder kick up. Someone always needed to be in position to take over, so it was not very restful.
The Hydrovane has been rock solid. It got us through our first major storm coming out of St. John's with flying colors!

I had one of the early servo-pendulum models on a boat back in the '80's that was quite good but the hydrovane is stellar. This past day we have been running straight down wind, which can be hard on wind vanes, and the performance is excellent.

dj
 

jviss

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Feb 5, 2004
7,089
Tartan 3800 20 Westport, MA
I know it's of no help now, but I thought I'd bring up the topic of autopilot drives. I have a Raymarine linear drive in a tough to get at place. I would never be comfortable climbing down there underway, or on the boat alone. I do carry a spare drive. I 'connectorized' both with Anderson Power Pole connectors, so the electrical part of the swap will be quick and easy.

I was thinking of mounting both in parallel with a switch to select one or the other. As long as the failed one isn't jammed it would be cool to just switch to the working one. I don't think it would add too much drag to the steering.

I was also thinking of picking up a backup control head.
 

JamesG161

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Feb 14, 2014
7,727
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
After talking with John by phone today, this is why their VMG is ≈10 knots.

Wind is at their back now and now BIG following waves.

As their boat "Surfs down a Big Wave" they will surpass the theoretical hull speed [Which is same as my 43' boat or ≈ 8 knots]

His boat and mine the same size. One other H430 told me had 20 foot waves at his Back and VMG ≈ 12 knots.:yikes:

Jim...
 

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I think we went through the worst of the storm last night, pretty much we were enough south it was not difficult winds. Large waves through. We are currently in about 12 foot waves. We are doing well, I'll have things to work on in Lisbon upon arrival. Having some problems with rigging that are irritating but nothing dangerous - I hope.... Starlink took over 45 minutes to connect from where we are and I can't open email or send email. It' never easy is it!

dj
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,330
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Yes… They are more than halfway to the Port of Call Lisbon. Fair winds and following seas are in the forecast.

Sail on oh intrepid sailors.

AFTER the Sea-Ship-after the whistling winds;
After the white-gray sails, taut to their spars and ropes,
Below, a myriad, myriad waves, hastening, lifting up their necks,
Tending in ceaseless flow toward the track of the ship:
Waves of the ocean, bubbling and gurgling, blithely prying,
Waves, undulating waves-liquid, uneven, emulous waves,
Toward that whirling current, laughing and buoyant, with curves,
Where the great Vessel, sailing and tacking, displaced the surface;
Larger and smaller waves, in the spread of the ocean, yearnfully flowing;
The wake of the Sea-Ship, after she passes-flashing and frolicsome, under the sun,
A motley procession, with many a fleck of foam, and many fragments,
Following the stately and rapid Ship-in the wake following. (Walt Whitman)
 

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Winds have been variable. Squalls followed by calms. I've been sailing, motoring all depending. Looks like 2 maybe 3 days left to get to Lisbon. Looking forward to sailing into one of the major historical ports of Europe!

dj