CCA boats and wind vanes

[Hillbillybuddha]

I'd like to get a windvane for my 1965 Pearson Rhodes 41 but I'm wondering if it's possible. She has a lot of overhang and small, steep, transom. I've googled pictures and can't find any CCA era boats with windvanes. Anyone here have any suggestions?

[Jim Cate]

Have a look at the windpilot web site. They show a LOT of installations on a variety of hulls... possibly one that is similar.

Jim

[Paul L]

I had an Aries windvane on my Alberg 35. Worked well.

[Dragon701]

My wife and I had an Aries on our Sailmaster 45' that we sailed around the world+ between 1980 and 1985 including Cape Horn and North of 80 degrees in the Arctic. Attached is a picture of the installation -- mounts on deck. Not a great picture, but look closely and you can see the mounts, vane and steering lines.

My daughter just installed a Hydrovane (I think -- I can check if it matters) on the transom of her Alberg 35.

So ... I would be surprised if you were unable to find a way to install it.

[SV Siren]

It can be done, you may very well need a custom mounting bracket fabricated to mount it. Here are a few CCA Columbia 50's with vanes, transoms very similar to what you have now:

A fleming:


A monitor, with vane to rope wheel steering:



My boat with a vane, many years ago:

[AiniA]

My experience is with Monitor but I am sure other brands are similar. You buy the basic unit and whatever custom brackets are needed to make it fit on your boat. Talk to the manufacturer of the brand you are interested in.

[Telemark43]

Installed a “Cape Horn” on my double ended Lord Nelson...work ps great

[Scubaseas]

Hydrovane would work. On their website galleries they have a picture of one mounted on an Invicta yawl. And on a Columbia 50 which is similar to a Rhodes. Thanks for owning and keeping going one of the prettiest boats ever made.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by Hillbillybuddha

I'd like to get a windvane for my 1965 Pearson Rhodes 41 but I'm wondering if it's possible. She has a lot of overhang and small, steep, transom. I've googled pictures and can't find any CCA era boats with windvanes. Anyone here have any suggestions?

I've seen boats with custom fabricated Y brackets that are mounted to both sides of the stern for mounting the wind vane apparatus. My biggest concern might be the extra marina charges due to the added boat length. Down here (in So Cal) that could run you an extra grand a year

[MJH]

Originally Posted by Hillbillybuddha

I'd like to get a windvane for my 1965 Pearson Rhodes 41 but I'm wondering if it's possible. She has a lot of overhang and small, steep, transom. I've googled pictures and can't find any CCA era boats with windvanes. Anyone here have any suggestions?

Contact Scanmar International about the Monitor windvane.

~ ~ _/) ~ ~ MJH

[wingssail]

The most important thing is to mount the vane frame with a wide base. Some boats with narrow or pointy sterns have the frame tubes running outside the boat to a point on the hull ahead of the transom.

The second thing is to brace it to reduce twist. Cross bracing is sometimes needed.

But I think it is almost always possible to do, just make it strong.

Next, consider a clean airflow on the air vane. This means avoiding large structures or excessive canvas aft.

Finally, consider the effect of friction on the steering lines and control lines. Fewer blocks and small lines allow more of the force from the oar to reach the helm.

[Greg K]

Shouldn't be a problem. Had an Aries model 5 on our former Cape Dory 36, and it steered like a dream in all conditions. Will be installing an Aries model 3 on the Shannon this summer.

[roverhi]

Have a WindPilot Pacific Plus on my Pearson 35. Got me to Hawaii without a problem in moderate DDW conditions which is the worst point of sail for a Vane. If you can fit a vane to a canoe stern or double ender fitting one to a CCA boat shouldn't be a problem.

[geoff3nebel]

Hydrovane will fit. And there’s no steering control lines to worry about, just a light line to turn the vane into the wind. An added advantage is it can be mounted either side of the centre line and its deep rudder which actually takes over the fixed rudder and steers the boat will act as the principal rudder should the fixed one fail.

[Dave Isom]

Agree...Hydrovane will be able to fit to virtually any transom. I believe they will custom design.