Windvane Steering on H31

[Richard Deep]

Calling all H-31 Owners! I'm wondering if anyone has had a successful experience installing and using any windvane self steering gear on a H-31?

I installed a Navik double servo pendulum system on my boat several years ago, and have never been able to achieve satisfactory performance. My goal for this season is to either get the Navik system to work, replace it with a different system, or scrap the whole idea of a windvane (I have an autopilot installed).

We all know that H-31s can be a little touchy, but I can balance the boat pretty well, and on a close reach, I can just lock the helm and she'll track well for a long while. I'm more interested in points of sail between beam reach and broad reach.

The Navik is a lighter system than say a Monitor, but I liked the idea that there wasn't all that massive hardware on the stern. The H-31 is on the upper end of the range for the system, but it should still be able to handle it. If I can't get the Navik to work out, before I drop another $3K on a different system, I'd like to know that someone has actually gotten acceptable performance from one on this boat.

So if you have any experiences you'd like to share, I'd appreciate your insights.

Thanks,

Richard
S/V Discovery
San Francisco

 

[ktm500mx]

windvane

on the scanmar site there is are photos of a montor on a h34
with the h31 in puffs needs trirming for balance at least on my boat
but in heaver wind above 25 knots with reefs she does settle some
what into a groove.
I am sailing a 1984 h31 sd
hope this helps