This may sound odd, but anybody know how I can make or buy a cheap windvane for my H23 ? The Autopilot 1000 or whatever just doesn't cut it. It corrects too fast sometimes, too slow others - I almost threw it overboard once :+) Who programmed that piece of crap ?
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Chris
Expensive
All the windvanes that I've seen are very expensive. I suppose you could make your own, but I don't think it'd be an easy project. You may want to try a different brand ( I can't remember the name at the moment) or talk to the manufacturer about your problem. Since you don't like it, do you want to sell it cheap? <BG> Chris S/V Doghouse ckluczkowski@ato.com
All the windvanes that I've seen are very expensive. I suppose you could make your own, but I don't think it'd be an easy project. You may want to try a different brand ( I can't remember the name at the moment) or talk to the manufacturer about your problem. Since you don't like it, do you want to sell it cheap? <BG> Chris S/V Doghouse ckluczkowski@ato.com
There may be another solution
I am a little concerned about the apparent failure of your autopilot to perform, because I just bought a Raytheon ST1000 for my H23 and now I'm wondering if I did the right thing. Was yours a Raytheon? How much do you use it normally? Just to keep you on course so you can raise/reef/douse the sails or to take a break from steering, or do you use it to steer for long distances (more than a mile)? I seem to recall seeing a setup somewhere that used the mainsheet and a bungee cord fastened on opposite sides of the tiller to balance the boat's weather helm and serve as a simple autopilot. I don't remember the details, but the gist of it was that as the boat tended to come up into the wind, the main would start to luff and the tension in the mainsheet would decrease, putting the system out of balance. The bungee would then be strong enough to pull the tiller to windward and make the boar bear off. Once the main refilled, the restored tension in the mainsheet would then center the tiller and keep the boat on course. If I can track the source down I will pass it on to you. Peter S/V Raven
I am a little concerned about the apparent failure of your autopilot to perform, because I just bought a Raytheon ST1000 for my H23 and now I'm wondering if I did the right thing. Was yours a Raytheon? How much do you use it normally? Just to keep you on course so you can raise/reef/douse the sails or to take a break from steering, or do you use it to steer for long distances (more than a mile)? I seem to recall seeing a setup somewhere that used the mainsheet and a bungee cord fastened on opposite sides of the tiller to balance the boat's weather helm and serve as a simple autopilot. I don't remember the details, but the gist of it was that as the boat tended to come up into the wind, the main would start to luff and the tension in the mainsheet would decrease, putting the system out of balance. The bungee would then be strong enough to pull the tiller to windward and make the boar bear off. Once the main refilled, the restored tension in the mainsheet would then center the tiller and keep the boat on course. If I can track the source down I will pass it on to you. Peter S/V Raven
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Mark Kissel
Peter, you did the right thing...
...buying the ST1000. I recently installed one on my 240 and could not be more pleased. Now, for the disclaimer; my primary sailing is done on lakes where there is very little wave action. Most of the waves are created by PWC and ski boats. It seems to handle these to my satisfaction. I have used the ST1000 for _hours_ at a time. It holds a much better course than I do! If there's lots of wave action and gusty winds, I'll do the steering myself. I find the ST1000 one of the most worthwhile additions to my boat. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
...buying the ST1000. I recently installed one on my 240 and could not be more pleased. Now, for the disclaimer; my primary sailing is done on lakes where there is very little wave action. Most of the waves are created by PWC and ski boats. It seems to handle these to my satisfaction. I have used the ST1000 for _hours_ at a time. It holds a much better course than I do! If there's lots of wave action and gusty winds, I'll do the steering myself. I find the ST1000 one of the most worthwhile additions to my boat. Mark Kissel Kittiwake/98H240
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Ron Dague
Autohelm 1000 should work well
I know how frustrating an unfamiliar autopilot can be. I just spent 2 days learning how to get my Autohelm 3000 to properly steer my h34. And I also thought about chucking it over the side. But, once I got it right, it works great. My previous boat, a Balboa 25, had an Autohelm 800. It did a great job, sailing in winds up to 25 mph, in 6 foot waves, out of Milwaukee on Lake Michigan. I suggest first checking your voltage. I find autopilots do strange things, if the voltage (or connectors) drops below 12 volts. Then work on balancing your sail plan. You should be able to hold your course with nary a tiller adjustment, a just a litte weather helm, prior to turning it on. Also, the Autohelms have different modes that affect how often they correct course. It is a software adjustment that the owner makes. Re-read the instruction manual. I expect you've already tried this, but if the ST800 sailed my 25 foot, 5000 lb Balboa, your boat should sail great with the ST1000. Don't give up on it!
I know how frustrating an unfamiliar autopilot can be. I just spent 2 days learning how to get my Autohelm 3000 to properly steer my h34. And I also thought about chucking it over the side. But, once I got it right, it works great. My previous boat, a Balboa 25, had an Autohelm 800. It did a great job, sailing in winds up to 25 mph, in 6 foot waves, out of Milwaukee on Lake Michigan. I suggest first checking your voltage. I find autopilots do strange things, if the voltage (or connectors) drops below 12 volts. Then work on balancing your sail plan. You should be able to hold your course with nary a tiller adjustment, a just a litte weather helm, prior to turning it on. Also, the Autohelms have different modes that affect how often they correct course. It is a software adjustment that the owner makes. Re-read the instruction manual. I expect you've already tried this, but if the ST800 sailed my 25 foot, 5000 lb Balboa, your boat should sail great with the ST1000. Don't give up on it!
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Terry Arnold
Windvane on ebay
Here is a link for a windvane for sale on ebay. Auction closes today (Sunday) about 4pm central time. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=336037456
Here is a link for a windvane for sale on ebay. Auction closes today (Sunday) about 4pm central time. http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=336037456
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Mike
Yes, Raytheon/Autohelm
Yes, same as yours... Let's say your at a 45 to the waves, 2-3 feet, so the boat is going up and down, up, down, BUT, the boat has so little length to the keel that it doesn't stay at one angle, and all the AP knows are angles. So, for every single wave; go up/correct left, go down/correct right, over and over. Better off to press standby and let it go thru if they're temporary. If not, well, get a boat with a longer keel. It also has the 'learn-to-correct-slowly' function, which works and doesn't. There are times when (short keel) it should correct a LOT, as when the boat goes off course a LOT, but it doesn't. By the time it figures out all it's little corrections aren't doing anything, you're luffing. I haven't been able to find out how to adjust the amount of correction it will put into the tiller. I have a thoery that only large corrections should be made. Also, if I move the tiller back, instead of trying to reprogram the small adjustments into larger ones, then it will have more force to contend with. I plan to call raytheon tomorrow.
Yes, same as yours... Let's say your at a 45 to the waves, 2-3 feet, so the boat is going up and down, up, down, BUT, the boat has so little length to the keel that it doesn't stay at one angle, and all the AP knows are angles. So, for every single wave; go up/correct left, go down/correct right, over and over. Better off to press standby and let it go thru if they're temporary. If not, well, get a boat with a longer keel. It also has the 'learn-to-correct-slowly' function, which works and doesn't. There are times when (short keel) it should correct a LOT, as when the boat goes off course a LOT, but it doesn't. By the time it figures out all it's little corrections aren't doing anything, you're luffing. I haven't been able to find out how to adjust the amount of correction it will put into the tiller. I have a thoery that only large corrections should be made. Also, if I move the tiller back, instead of trying to reprogram the small adjustments into larger ones, then it will have more force to contend with. I plan to call raytheon tomorrow.
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Jim Kolstoe
Simple amd cheap solution
Mike, I was taught a simple and cheap "self-steering" mechinisim for my h23 the first year I owned it. Its similar to what Peter was describing, except I've never tied into the main sheet. I have a Forespar adjustable tiller extention. Just adjust it so it touches the cockpit side/seat back with the tiller where you want it (I assume more or less centered). Then run a bungy cord from the tiller to a cleat on the same side as the tiller extention. The bungy holds the extention against the side, and the extension blocks further movement to that side. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Mike, I was taught a simple and cheap "self-steering" mechinisim for my h23 the first year I owned it. Its similar to what Peter was describing, except I've never tied into the main sheet. I have a Forespar adjustable tiller extention. Just adjust it so it touches the cockpit side/seat back with the tiller where you want it (I assume more or less centered). Then run a bungy cord from the tiller to a cleat on the same side as the tiller extention. The bungy holds the extention against the side, and the extension blocks further movement to that side. Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
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Mike
Bungee Windvane
Yes, I have a bungee now I use for a 'autopilot' - I have a lock on the storage area, one end of bingee to that, and one end of bungee to underside of fuel area pop-up seat. The seat will lift up as bungee is tightened. 2-3 times around the tiller and it works great. UPWIND though, not downwind. And sometimes it works better than others...the Autohelm 1000 isn't bad, it just needs to be reprogrammed. Plus I'd rather bolt on a windvane as that's the hot setup.
Yes, I have a bungee now I use for a 'autopilot' - I have a lock on the storage area, one end of bingee to that, and one end of bungee to underside of fuel area pop-up seat. The seat will lift up as bungee is tightened. 2-3 times around the tiller and it works great. UPWIND though, not downwind. And sometimes it works better than others...the Autohelm 1000 isn't bad, it just needs to be reprogrammed. Plus I'd rather bolt on a windvane as that's the hot setup.
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