Wind vane

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jorgefife

jorgefife

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Jun 25, 2009
542
Hunter 33 Seabrooke, Houston
While selling some doors yesterday, a client informed me his father had a Columbia sailboat, and he has a wind vane which he has no use for.
I took off $100.00 from the price, because that is all he wanted. I tried to educate myself on this animal, but found very little
What exactly does it do, and where do I read about it?
It is that vertical contraption that looks rather like a rudder, sticking up at the stern, correct?
I don't have it yet, buat am very curious, if someone has one, let me know something about it, and what must I ask to come with it
Another useless request, I'm afraid...
Thanks
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
It is a wind controlled autopilot that uses the water flowing over its rudder for power and the air flowing over its air vain to control the direction of the boat. Air vain controls the water vain which provides power to turn the boats rudder.
Once set on a course it will hold a relative wind position. That is to say if the wind shifts the boat will change direction to keep the relative wind the same. These consume no electricity and are a boon to trade wind cruisers who do not want to use an autopilot due to the energy demands.
Google wind vane autopilot
 
B

Benny17441

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May 24, 2004
7,175
CC 30 South Florida
Remember, it is not a good deal unless you have a need for it. The installation alone can be a hassle.
 
Redbeard33

Redbeard33

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Oct 25, 2011
115
Hunter 1980 H33-C Annapolis
Yeah, meant to be used offshore its not something a coastal cruiser would ever need. That being said kinda like the chicken and the egg theory it might make you curious to venture into the blue water....
 
Jim Legere

Jim Legere

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Jun 8, 2004
1,066
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Redbeard33 said:
Yeah, meant to be used offshore its not something a coastal cruiser would ever need. That being said kinda like the chicken and the egg theory it might make you curious to venture into the blue water....
Click to expand
I use my Cape Horn windvane a lot when cruising down the coast. Why steer when yu coud be doing something else? :D I also have an inexpensive Raymarine tiller pilot interfaced with the windvane that allows me to use the enormous servo power of the vane system to steer my boat to a compass course or a GPS waypoint.

Jorge - here is a good link: http://www.capehorn.com/sections/obso/Obsolete.htm
 
jorgefife

jorgefife

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Jun 25, 2009
542
Hunter 33 Seabrooke, Houston
Jim Legere said:
I use my Cape Horn windvane a lot when cruising down the coast. Why steer when yu coud be doing something else? :D I also have an inexpensive Raymarine tiller pilot interfaced with the windvane that allows me to use the enormous servo power of the vane system to steer my boat to a compass course or a GPS waypoint.

Jorge - here is a good link: http://www.capehorn.com/sections/obso/Obsolete.htm
Click to expand
On the subject of the wind vane, anyone out there wants to sell his control head for an autoplit ST-4000? I have the wheel ring, the compass and something else, but am missing the display unit. Tried e-bay, but they seem to be out of my reach...
 
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