Self-steering failure as I sail 130 miles across The Wash solo. Bridlington to Lowestoft.

Sailing solo around Britain on my Contessa 26. In this 28 hour passage my Raymarine 2000+ dies near the start. The journey is part of my project photographing all the 31 Sea Areas in The Shipping Forecast.

[@sailingaphrodite4189]

Just found your channel. That brought back memories of my solo trip, Lowestoft to Scarborough. The windfarms make navigation really, really easy.

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

They do. Often in the way though.....Thanks for watching. :-)

[@jesbates8611]

Smartest gents urinals you’ve ever seen at RNSYC, all polished copper and brass with Prince of Wales feathers! Good kebab shop just over the bridge as well.

[@KostasSiros]

Wonderful boat!!!
Wish to found a contessa 26 soon !

[@simonsargent9514]

Well done xx

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

Thank you 🤗

[@jesbates8611]

All of us who use these tiller pilots seem to have the same reliability issues. Something I read over the summer was that the unit is quite sensitive to damp in the connector, I put some dielectric grease on the pins and it did seem to help a lot. I also got water inside the casing which is a different issue all together! Meths is good for cleaning up the circuit board if it gets salt water on it. I bought a waterproof cover on eBay which keeps some of the spray and water out.

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

Water was getting into the casing via the arm.. the mechanism seems damaged.. taken it apart a few times.. think it’s dead.

[@svlittlegem24]

G'day from Australia.
On my next boat i will be installing an self steering wind vane. Use no electric power and holds the boat on course.
Gerard.

[@RoryL83]

Thanks a lot Neil! Love your vids!!

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

My pleasure. Thank you. 👍🏻

[@benh9928]

Solo brave pants 😀 the grind is what makes the good, good. Great videos, really enjoying following your progress and using it as a virtual recce…..

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

I like that. 👍🏻😊 Honestly solo isn’t so tough- just have to be brave enough to cast off! That’s the hardest part …

[@benh9928]

@@NeilWilliamsGallery I’ve done it once so far. (Second hardest part is coming back in!)

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

Well I get nervous coming in too… but don’t have to be brave coz I’ve very little choice in the matter. 🙃

[@antoniocruz8083]

There's no ocean voyaging without a windvane autopilot.

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

Not sure about that.. read Joshua Slocum about balancing a boat.. but I’m defo not an expert!

[@antoniocruz8083]

@@NeilWilliamsGallery His boat was very heavy to today's standards. I'm not sure if today you could balance a boat that easily. Its best to be safe and count on an "extra crew" that can really steer all night long in any wave condition. I sailed across the Atlantic on a small Northern 25 and it was only possible due to the Hydrovane, really built for bigger boats. Steering was just not an issue, the stronger it blew the better it worked.

[@elrig9573]

Have you thought of a Hebridean wind vane kit? It can be mounted right on top of the rudderstock (mounted at 45 degrees) of a Contessa 26.
I am selling the kits for £430 + delivery + vat

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

I looked in back in May but looked like your business was closed down I think?

[@elrig9573]

Sadly my friend John Fleming died in March but left me to direct the project. The H2 Kit (for which builders find their own wood) is available again.@@NeilWilliamsGallery

[@jesbates8611]

That’s what I’m using, works well

[@NeilWilliamsGallery]

Good luck with the wind vane business. Hope it works out for you.