Windvane steering

T

TJBurkett

.
Jun 2, 2004
128
Hi all,

I'm seriously in the market for a windvane self steering unit. I know
that the Navik was highly regarded, but unfortunetly isn't made
anymore. I've looked at the Mister V, Cape Horn, and Monitor. Does
anyone have any suggestions of other vanes or is anyone getting rid of
their Navik?

Thanks,

Tom V-398
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
I reckon the Aries, Monitor and Hydrovane are a wee bit heavy for the Vega.... I ahve a Hydrovane in the garage and believe me it certainly isnt easy to lift!!

SB
 
S

SVFlyAway

.
Oct 31, 2019
303
Maybe someone from the other side of the pond (I hate that cliché by the
way) can shed more light on this. I was poking around on the web and came
across a store that lists some parts for Navik -- somewhere in GB (Hamble
Le Rice, Hampshire or something like that) with the web address:

www.Marinemegastore.com

I have an old Navik and am still looking for some replacement parts since I
dont want to layout thousands of anything for a different vane. But I might
if I cant find some good parts to have in my kit.

Maybe Steve or someone over there can shed some light on this store and
their Navik offerings. Also I have in the past sometimes found it difficult
to deal with retail establishments in Europe (now dealing with Steve Birch
is a pleasure by the way). So maybe something can be worked out there too.

Chris


From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of Steve Birch
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 2:56 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Windvane steering

I reckon the Aries, Monitor and Hydrovane are a wee bit heavy for the
Vega.... I ahve a Hydrovane in the garage and believe me it certainly isnt
easy to lift!!

SB
 
S

stevebirch2002

.
Nov 8, 2001
1,818
Hi Chris

Always happy to help where possible.

Plastimo hold spares for the Navik for the next ten years (or so they say!). I tried to get the rights to make the Navik but they were not interested and just dont want them made again!!

There is another lightweight wind pilot called Mister V. A Vega has just completed the Jester Challenge (UK - Azores - UK) using this particular system.Cheers

Steve B
 
F

frankdeba27

.
Oct 30, 2019
80
Dear Tom,
???? We have a Windpilot, Pacific Light. We absolutely love it. We have used it for three or four years now. "Just set it, and forget it."
???? Thank you,
???Frank & Tena DeBaggis
?? Vega 2141, Carpe Diem
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Tom,
Adding to my last message, here is a link to pictures of one
installed on Vegas:

One disadvantage of the Navik is that you have to heave-to to get the
paddle down or up. Some vanes simply tilt up out of the water ... a
very nice feature. That's the only complaint I have about the Navik,
but I'm getting pretty good at heaving-to :)
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
T

TJBurkett

.
Jun 2, 2004
128
Thanks for all the input-I'll take alook at the windpilot pacific
light. I was considering the Mister Vee (still am considerig it), but
there were some problems with the unit in the Jester challenge. If I
had some assurance that the probems were taken care of I would probably
go with the Mister Vee (weight, cost, etc). Tom (V-398)
 
A

albinvega3283

.
Oct 30, 2019
234
What were the problems encountered with the Mister Vee as I am thinking of getting one.

David Wisdish

Ponteneur V3283From: TJBurkett
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 2:17 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Windvane steeringThanks for all the input-I'll take alook at the windpilot pacific
light. I was considering the Mister Vee (still am considerig it), but
there were some problems with the unit in the Jester challenge. If I
had some assurance that the probems were taken care of I would probably
go with the Mister Vee (weight, cost, etc).

Tom (V-398)
 
A

albinvega3283

.
Oct 30, 2019
234
Peter

It looks from the picture of the Pacific Light that the top bolts on the fixing are mounted on the deck lip and not through the transom and also that there is a plywood pad under the fixing is the correct?

David Wisdish
Ponteneur V3283

From: pjacobs55
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 6:31 AM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Windvane steeringOoops (blush).... my apologies to the Group for that last link. It
was supposed to go directly to the Vega pictures.
Here's two direct links to the boat pictures, no surprises ... I
promise!
Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
S

SVFlyAway

.
Oct 31, 2019
303
Here is the direct link to the problems encountered with Mr. Vee on the
Jester race and the response (solution) by the designer.:

Home | Mister Vee windvane self steering

www.mistervee.com www.mistervee.com
Mister Vee webshop | Mister Vee windvane self steering &e1=lessons

Looks as if the designer is very responsive - that is good.

Does anyone have a picture of a Mr. Vee mounted on a Vega? I can't find one
on their website or ours.

I think I will order one of these, or possibly a Pacific Light. I do like
the Mr. Vee though since it is easy to remove and there doesn't seem to be a
lot of mounting hardware hanging off the stern when it is removed. Pacific
Light seems to mount tight to the stern also, but haven't figured out if it
can be easily removed. I can't leave it on the boat when at my marina as I
would have to go to a bigger slip and I don't want to pay the extra money.

I guess that will mean I likely will be selling my Navik. I haven't used it
as I have been working on the boat, but it is all there and seems to be in
pretty good shape. Hard choice actually - spend the extra bucks for the new
kid or keep the old guy that is tried and true.

Chris


From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of David Wisdish
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 9:41 AM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [AlbinVega] Windvane steering

What were the problems encountered with the Mister Vee as I am thinking of
getting one.

David Wisdish

Ponteneur V3283

From: TJBurkett
Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 2:17 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com mailto:AlbinVega%40yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Windvane steering

Thanks for all the input-I'll take alook at the windpilot pacific
light. I was considering the Mister Vee (still am considerig it), but
there were some problems with the unit in the Jester challenge. If I
had some assurance that the probems were taken care of I would probably
go with the Mister Vee (weight, cost, etc).

Tom (V-398)
 
C

capt_sail

.
Oct 30, 2019
60
Hi Chris,
I also have a WindPilot Pacific Light, although not on my Vega. It only requires removing one bolt to remove it for storage, etc. The bracket stays on the transom...
Bill
V1390 Traveler
 
P

pjacobs55

.
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
David,
Yes, on the yellow Vega 'Louise' it's mounted as you say, but the
other picture has it mounted lower down. Interesting ....
Maybe someone on the forum who has a Vega-mounted Pacific Light could
post some pictures of theirs?

The Windpilot installation instructions (no pictures or diagrams) are
available at
on

In part they say:
"Your WINDPILOT should be installed at the centre of the transom
approximately 10 cm/4 in below deck level.
Off-centre installation is possible (max. 10 cm/4 in) but not ideal.
If your boat has a centrally mounted bathing ladder, it should be
relocated to the port side."

It's interesting that the height is governed by deck height. The
Navik instructions specify a fixed distance from water level to the
main mounting bracket. Navik's manual also has drawings and photos.

I hope I don't sound like a Windpilot sales person. I just think it's
a good unit. But since I acquired a spare paddle, vane, linkages, and
bushings for the Navik, it'll be my vane of choice for the
foreseeable future!

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
A

albinvega3283

.
Oct 30, 2019
234
Peter

Thanks for the details. My son has the Pacific ( not the Pacific light as the boat is bigger than the Vega) installed on a Contessa 32 and it works a dream.

DavidFrom: pjacobs55
Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 12:53 AM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Re: Windvane steeringDavid,
Yes, on the yellow Vega 'Louise' it's mounted as you say, but the
other picture has it mounted lower down. Interesting ....
Maybe someone on the forum who has a Vega-mounted Pacific Light could
post some pictures of theirs?

The Windpilot installation instructions (no pictures or diagrams) are
available at
on

In part they say:
"Your WINDPILOT should be installed at the centre of the transom
approximately 10 cm/4 in below deck level.
. Off-centre installation is possible (max. 10 cm/4 in) but not ideal.
. If your boat has a centrally mounted bathing ladder, it should be
relocated to the port side."

It's interesting that the height is governed by deck height. The
Navik instructions specify a fixed distance from water level to the
main mounting bracket. Navik's manual also has drawings and photos.

I hope I don't sound like a Windpilot sales person. I just think it's
a good unit. But since I acquired a spare paddle, vane, linkages, and
bushings for the Navik, it'll be my vane of choice for the
foreseeable future!

Peter
#1331 'Sin Tacha'
 
C

capt_sail

.
Oct 30, 2019
60
The Pacific Light comes with either a standard or long vertical tube depending on the transom height of the boat. With the way that windvanes often move from boat to boat, its possible that one came from a different boat and that the photos show the two different variations...

Bill
V1390 Traveler
 
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