For Sale: Aries Windvane (Self Steering)

[Celestialsailor]

Clearing out all my unfinished project to make room for more projects I probably won't get around to.

Aries Windvane in serviceability condition. Stainless gears.

Needs wind paddle (easy to make). and missing water oar. Not that difficult if you're handy.

This would be great to recondition or use as spare parts. Crack in turning block boss but repairable.
$425. Can ship within U.S. from 95693 or deliver within 100 miles.

[Celestialsailor]

Is this not fairly priced or no one has one of these?

[Mike OReilly]

This is incredibly well priced CS. I have an Aries. They are great vanes. I would consider taking this off your hands just to have a spare if I was in a position to do so (I'm still not able to reach my boat).

This is almost a steal folks. Someone has to go for it!

[Skipper Jethro]

can you share what series it is
or year it is from please?

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Skipper Jethro

can you share what series it is
or year it is from please?

There are some casting numbers...would that be it?

[Greg K]

From the pics it looks to be a Standard Aries model 3, but there were modification throughout the years of manufacture to this very popular model, so it is impossible to determine exactly without examining the unit in person.

Having just bought a similar vintage Aries model, albeit complete and rebuilt at about twice your price, I do not think your ask is excessive. However, both you and any potential buyer should be aware that parts for rebuilding these UK models are no longer available, so unless the buyer has the skill and tooling, to do it himself, such work would need to be done in a competent machine shop on a custom basis. Could get expensive. Also, if a paddle, hinge, wheel drive, mounting tubes and mounts need to be bought... you are probably looking at spending another 2K.

It does all add up pretty quickly so that at some point buying a new one starts to make sense, especially if you plan on some serious ocean passages.

Here's a couple helpful sites:

History of Aries Vane Gears

https://ariesvanegear.com/products/

Good luck.

[Mike OReilly]

Did Helen Franklin stop selling parts for the older UK models? I bought a bunch of maintenance items and spare parts from her, but this was probably six or seven years ago. She's still listed on the old Aries website:

http://www.ariesvane.com/products.html

[Greg K]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Did Helen Franklin stop selling parts for the older UK models? I bought a bunch of maintenance items and spare parts from her, but this was probably six or seven years ago. She's still listed on the old Aries website:

http://www.ariesvane.com/products.html

Yes, that is my understanding. Numerous people, including myself, have received no replies from Helen by mail or email regarding parts inquiries since about 5 years ago. But, by all means, give it try.

Also, the current Dutch builder of Aries has just recently announced that they will no longer be providing parts for UK built models.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by Greg K

Yes, that is my understanding. Numerous people, including myself, have received no replies from Helen by mail or email regarding parts inquiries since about 5 years ago. But, by all means, give it try.

Also, the current Dutch builder of Aries has just recently announced that they will no longer be providing parts for UK built models.

Bummer... good to know.


If I was in a position to do so, I'd pick up CS's vane and use it as a spare.

[Celestialsailor]

I should mention at this point that I am a Toolmaker/Machinist of 40+ years, with a "real" shop on my ranch. I would be willing to make any bushings for the vane for whoever buys it. Like I said before...Needs wind paddle (easy to make). and missing water oar. Not that difficult if you're handy.

[Greg K]

Since you have the skill and the tooling, if you have the time, it might be worthwhile to rebuild it and manufacture the plywood vane and water paddle along with a breakaway coupling or two before selling. Complete, and rebuilt , you might get 4 or 5 times your asking price. It would be an excellent deal for someone in the US compared to buying a new Aries from Holland which now sells for about 6K USD plus shipping which can be substantial ( the shipping for my vane from the US to Spain cost a whooping 700 USD).


Food for thought.

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Greg K

Since you have the skill and the tooling, if you have the time, it might be worthwhile to rebuild it and manufacture the plywood vane and water paddle along with a breakaway coupling or two before selling. Complete, and rebuilt , you might get 4 or 5 times your asking price. It would be an excellent deal for someone in the US compared to buying a new Aries from Holland which now sells for about 6K USD plus shipping which can be substantial ( the shipping for my vane from the US to Spain cost a whooping 700 USD).


Food for thought.

Ha ha...lets see...A Westsail 28 in the driveway getting a full refit. A 36ft. ketch in negotiations that I am currently getting the engine running and is 120 miles away. My unfinished ranch with the second unfinished pasture for the horses. The 34ft. Avion I'm almost finished restoring for traveling nurses. The 150ft. electrical run to my wood shop which I'm trenching by hand with a pick in hard pan clay. The unfinished bedroom and bathroom which is only roughed in. The 60ft. of septic pipe under the house which has 18"s of crawl space to remove and replace with ABS.

Lets not forget the 1960 T-bird I just sold that was 95% done. I need to eliminate and finish. I work 6 hours a day here in the Sacramento Valley in anywhere from 90-105 degress and then inside the house for another 6 doing research on all the projects going on. Oh yes...we have new born French Bulldog puppies that in the beginning required me to get up every 2 hours for feeding. I am in my later 60's too and cannot find outside help from a youngster around 20 who will put their phone down to make $25@hr. So I'm on my own.

So there is some food for thought back to you.

[Greg K]

Sure sounds like you got a full plate on your to do list. Sorry to hear you can't find any decent young guy to give you a hand.


If you weren't so busy, a skilled machinist like yourself would be the perfect person to fill in the now empty niche producing spare parts for the thousands of UK built Standard Aries vanes out there that will continue to need rebuilding. Wouldn't be surprised if you could make a decent living with it. I would be the first knocking on your door requesting a couple break away couplings for my own ancient Aries.


Cheers

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by Greg K

Sure sounds like you got a full plate on your to do list. Sorry to hear you can't find any decent young guy to give you a hand.


If you weren't so busy, a skilled machinist like yourself would be the perfect person to fill in the now empty niche producing spare parts for the thousands of UK built Standard Aries vanes out there that will continue to need rebuilding. Wouldn't be surprised if you could make a decent living with it. I would be the first knocking on your door requesting a couple break away couplings for my own ancient Aries.


Cheers

Send me your old break away parts and i'll set you up. I'll make a few more and sell them.

[Celestialsailor]

The vane is now pending