Seized Windpilot Pacific Plus windavane

[ullar]

Hi,

Was looking for a second hand Windpilot Pacific Plus on the Internet and after a while managed to source one. It looks like a complete unit but has been laying in shed for a few years and has a seized main shaft bearing. According to the present owner it is quite usual with Windpilot when it is left to stand without proper cleaning.

What do you folks think? Is it a big deal? Should I ask for some discount or is it a show stopper?

Regards,
Ullar

[roverhi]

Have a WPPlus. What shaft exactly is seized?? Everything can be replaced and Peter at WindPilot had the parts to do repairs on mine from physical damage. Taking them apart can be an issue with stainless fasteners in aluminum but patience, selective use of heat, penetrating oil and persistence usually wins out. Took me three days to get the bolts out of the rudder coupling. Reinstall with liberal use of lanolin/Lanocote will take care of the fastener issue for future work. I'd recommend you disassemble the vane and reassemble using the above in any case.

The vane has worked great on my boat steering downwind with 8k or so relative wind. Did make an 8"X4' light air wind vane out of corrugated plastic which greatly helped its light air performance. Finding a used one is a major find and hopefully a big money saver as new ones are north of 5 boat units.

[ullar]

Thanks for sharing your first hand experience Peter. Nice to hear that you are happy with your WPP. And yes, they are hard to come by second hand. Meaning that it's difficult to figure out the right price for a second hand unit too.

The shaft that is locked is the one turning the auxiliary rudder. I have a link to the video showing somebody freeing the shaft Freeing Up A Seized Pacific Plus Wind Pilot - Video Guide and am hoping to deal with it in similar way.

I also contacted Peter at WindPilot and he wasn't specially concerned either. As much as I've heard up to now some boiling water and brute force should get it free.

I will probably take the risk and accept it with seized shaft.

Regards,
Ullar