windvane/stern ladder for H33-C

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Redbeard33

Redbeard33

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Oct 25, 2011
115
Hunter 1980 H33-C Annapolis
For those H33-C owners, do any of you have a windvane rigged for use on your boat? I have thought of adding one but as the small transom is already monoplized by the swim ladder have let the idea go, however when i recently removed the ladder to paint the topsides I realized how easy the ladder comes off (2 bolts) and the idea returned. My thought is that if i could build one that bolted onto the top of the transom where the ladder goes and had some similar bracket fabricated for either side of the bottom the wind vane could attach here for extended trips and be removed when daytriping or at the dock. Are there any 33's with windvanes (and pics) or does anybody know the manufacturer of the folding ladder?
 
Jim Legere

Jim Legere

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Jun 8, 2004
1,066
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
I have a Cape Horn windvane on the stern of my H37C. While my transom of my boat is a bit bigger, the Cape Horn has a very small footprint - essentially just a 3" tube sticking out the back. It can also be mounted off center, so no need to remove the ladder. I also have it interfaced with a Raymarine ST800 tillerpilot. This combo steers my 18000 lb. boat with ease when I am motoring. I can't say enough good things about it; it the best piece of gear I ever purchased for the boat. PM me if you want more info.

www.capehorn.com
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
You never told us about that Jim. I am surprised that the Ray TP has enough throw to steer your boat. There was a tillerpilot on my boat when I bought her. I never tried it because the drive would only have been about five inches either side of center. Could we see some pictures?
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

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Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Hey Ed
5" either side would certianly work fine if you consider the pilot is intended to steer a straight course. How often do you move the tiller beyond 5" once a course is established?
Now if you are trying to manuver the boat during docking then you are surlly going to have less than satisfactory results.
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Moving a tiller five inches is more than enough when motoring to hold course. But this is a tillerpilot on a wheel steered boat. It depends on the power and where the TP is attached to a spoke, closer to the hub then more steerage. But it requires a lot of power with so little leverage. That's why I asked about a picture.
 
Jim Legere

Jim Legere

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Jun 8, 2004
1,066
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Tiller pilots & windvanes

The tillerpilot on my boat simply provides an input to the windvane self-steering, much the same as the small wind 'sail' does when the boat is steering relative to a given wind direction. The force to turn the rudder, regardless of whether the input is wind direction or the tillerpilot, comes from the servo-pendulum oar in the water. I believe several windvanes offer the option of using a tillerpilot rather than the wind 'sail' including Monitor, Aries and the Cape Horn. I must say I am a confirmed windvane fan; powered autopilots steering for any more than a day is really only good if you have unlimited battery power. That is why most ocean-going sailboats have wind vanes. Alas, pictures will have to wait for spring, as everything is put away down at the boatyard.
 
Jim Legere

Jim Legere

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Jun 8, 2004
1,066
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Cape Horn windvane

I went through my photos and came up with a couple of the boat sailing under wind vane self steering. As you can see, its not a very intrusive installation. When I'm not using it, I just take the 'sail' and the servo oar off, leaving only a slender stainless steel post on the stern, not unlike what folks use for a radar mount, etc. The tillerpilot resides in the stern locker, whether in use or not. Unfortunately you will still have to wait until spring before I can get detailed shots of the installation.

(I'm solo sailing in both pictures BTW. Its great to be able to go below and make a cup of tea or venture up on the foredeck with the boat tending herself...)
 

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Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Ah yes, shoulda' known that the TP was connected to the vane. Gettin' old. Cape Horn is a favorite, so simple to attach. Great pictures, really rompin' under staysail.
 
S

sandpiper10471

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May 31, 2007
776
Hunter 37 cutter Blind River
Great pics, Jim. I notice you have a reefable staysail. Ever use the reef?
Back to Redbeard's original question. When I had my H33 I built a windvane which used an auxilliary balanced rudder with a trim tab controlled by a small sail through a reduction gear. Worked very well but I found she steered better upwind with just a locked wheel and balanced sails as the drafts and eddies coming off the main disturbed the vane a bit too much. However, she would keep within about 4 degrees of the set course. I cannot remember what I did about the swim ladder though. I believe I left it on but would have to have removed the vane to use the ladder. Sorry, no pics. That was in the days before digital.
 
Jim Legere

Jim Legere

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Jun 8, 2004
1,066
C&C Frigate 36 St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia
Like the 33, the 37 also goes upwind very well by just balancing the sails and locking the wheel. I like the windvane for its ability to steer off the wind, even on a dead run - I have never been able to just 'lock the wheel' on those points of sail. With the tillerpilot hooked to the windvane, I don't have to steer under motor (something I hate).

As to the reef in my staysail, I have never had to use it anger. I think the wind would have to be full gale before I would use it. :eek:
 
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