The 1970s called and want to know if you still have a windvane

[peter57]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Lets see yes I have solar , a wind generator yes I do underway laundry in a bucket with a plunger, I still have and occasionally use my pressure alcohol stove and no auto pilot for my boat its still sheet to tiller steering. Cheap easy and uses no power. Always saw wind vanes as new fangled expensive failure points.

Great for small boats and fun and a sense of greater achievement, not so much for big ones.

[El Pinguino]

This is my vertical axis aux rudder with trim tab. Works good....

More photos are out there on CF.... probably easy to find....

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by Discovery 15797

I love reading speculations and rediculous assertions made by puddle pirates and island hoppers.

It fun to laugh at this nonsense with sailors over a glass or 2 of scotch.

Ha!! Puddle pirates and island hoppers!! ..... oh wait, that’s me......

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Surrymark

You're terrific, Jammer.
How about starting a debate on anchors?

Great suggestion, but I think I'll start a debate on cats vs. monos instead. Just for you.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Great suggestion, but I think I'll start a debate on cats vs. monos instead. Just for you.

why leave out trimarans ?
If your gonna do it do it right

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Discovery 15797

I love reading speculations and rediculous assertions made by puddle pirates and island hoppers.

It fun to laugh at this nonsense with sailors over a glass or 2 of scotch.

It is fun to see quality, uplifting posts that move the discussion forward and keep the forums alive. Enjoy your scotch.

[Jimbo485]

Windvanes are an absolute pleasure to watch in action. These days we are on a cat and unfortunately we are obliged to use an AP.

However, my 17 year old son recently acquired his first boat, a 35' mono with an Aries windvane. His expected sailing on his boat does not include ocean crossings so he is selling the Aries along with a box of spares for AUD1500. Teenage finances combined with a boat force him to adjust his priorities!

We are both anchored at the Tangalooma wrecks this week on our respective boats and around the Brisbane (Australia) area in general.

[sailorboy1]

I’m pretty sure that for the cost of buying and installing a wind vane I could buy a spare for every part of my autopilot plus some.

People who have problems with theirs should spend some time experimenting with the settings. I run around lots of times at a setting of 2 (out of 10) and it barely even moves, but sptill holds a course better than I can (and I bet a wind vane)

[Mike OReilly]

One myth I like to dispel is the idea that a windvane is only useful for ocean crossings. Not true. I use my Aries pretty much anytime we’re under sail for more than a few hours. Usually, if it’s worth hoisting the sails, then it’s just a worthwhile to engage the vane.

Once they are rigged most vanes are not hard to get going. They follow the wind, so you may be doing more tweaking in the less stable coastal air, but the same goes for the sails. It’s really just another sail to trim. No biggy.

[AuroraGH]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

One myth I like to dispel is the idea that a windvane is only useful for ocean crossings. Not true. I use my Aries pretty much anytime we’re under sail for more than a few hours. Usually, if it’s worth hoisting the sails, then it’s just a worthwhile to engage the vane.

Ditto - I'll rig the vane even if drifting around the bay. Hate being tied to the helm. I've got things to do elsewhere.

[Parrott]

Well I’m in the process of getting a new monitor Windvane as we text, with the pelagic tiller auto pilot with NEMA 2000, and spare rudder.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Capella

Now make a list of reasons why you should carry a sextant 😁

And unsurprisingly, several made up reasons. Not good reasons, given the number of days that having GPS failure presents a real risk (you would have to be within days of landfall on a small, remote island--other wise just continue a dead reckoning plot towards land or go back to the mainland you left). It can't be more than a few weeks in a lifetime for the multi-circumnavigator, and just a few for most voyagers.

[thinwater]

Goodby davits. That's a non-stater for me.

[Bacoo]

I have several heavy duty electric tiller pilots for short handed sailing, but with a heavy-ish displacement 32 footer I find the harder it blows the less reliable they are. On the other hand my old Aeries wind vane works better the harder it blows, and is handy for taking over from the electric tiller pilot when it struggles to cope.

[Exile]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Goodby davits. That's a non-stater for me.

Ditto. (But never say never I suppose).