Good video. Hydrovanes are an important safety, autopilot option. There are other wind vane steering rigs. The one's that operate the boat's rudder, I think miss a critical factor -- what happens if your rudder is broken? The Hydrovane is a completely independent rudder. (And sure if you're using it hitting something could damage both rudders.) I've got a Hydrovane on my boat, never used it. Only started fiddling with it the other day. My boat is set up for ocean crossings, she's been to New Zealand (from California). Blade rudder, up graded, but still a blade rudder. With the Hydrovane, my main Autopilot, a stick auto pilot, I've got two independent rudders, two tiller options, wind steering. I'm ready to go anywhere including the dreaded Orcas off Spain. The biggest expense might not be the unit, it might be the installation. I have a sugarscoop aft so the Hydrovane is on some strong tubing more than a meter long. You do want to get the best possible installation. (I'd like to see some boats with Hydrovanes, aft dinghy davits, and maybe sugarscoops. ) I figured out one trick. The adjusting line. I don't have it rigged with the continuous loop. I always have a lot of paracord onboard so I tried that. Without the pulley(block) on the bungee it kept skipping out of the grove on the roller. I just put a twist in that loop so there's an 'X' after the two little guide holes. Problem solved. This is probably a good trick to use in an emergency use if you're not fully set up. You need a lot of paracord. After making my adjustment I just wrap it around a fishing rod holder in a loose knot. I'd suggest to use the H'Vane for an emergency have 50' (15m) of paracord in the locker with the tillers, or hanging off the vane. Mark the mid point on the line with a contrasting color so when you put it on you have equal amounts of line on each side. Ideally I guess would be some kind of quick connection for the continuous loop. My Hydrovane is 20 years old, cotton lines everywhere, tightening the fabric on the vanes, retaining lines. Going to replace those. Easy. The two main pins were a bit encrusted. A little contact cleaner, plastic kitchen scrubber (on the pins) a little in and out.
Very good explanatory video. 👍 If you have the inclination it would be good to do a dynamic part 2 - showing at sea - engaging the hydrovane - the effect on course heading and then the iterative adjustments with compass shots showing how you achieve the desired heading. It is expensive, but worth every penny and a valuable 3rd crew member that does not require drinking water, electrical energy or food. When you have finished World cruising and if you wanted to sell it I reckon you got £3K for it as long as it was in good shape, so the net cost is not scary at all.. Keep up the good work and keep having fun.
Hi, it worked really well in high winds, it kept us on course across both alantic crossings, in the trade winds we had a constant 25 to 30 and it handled it fine. Come back West to East we had 3 force 8 and a force 9 gale and again it handled them with ease, tbh it handled the gales better then the crew. I would definitely recommend them for long distance sailing. Hope that helped, if you want to know more feel free to ask, Happy to help where I can.
Hello. Great simple explanation. I have one question about the hydrovane rudder size. I’ve heard people say the rudder seems too small to be able to adequately steer a large yacht, compared to the original yachts rudder. Is it sufficient to cope with your size yacht? I have a Cooper 416, which is 24,000lbs with hydraulic steering. So I was concerned about whether the rudder size is sufficient for my yacht, but I absolutely want/need an emergency steering option.
Hi, its an amazing bit of kit but works best when balanced to the sails so they help keep the steering light. I never had to use it as an emergency rudder but that is one of the reasons I choose hydrovane. I feel it would work in an emergency but not as well as the main rudder ever could but then its better then nothing. Might be best to get in contact with hydrovane and ask them, they were always very helpful when I emailed them. Hope that helps a little.
Just watching your interesting vid and the weather fella on tv mentioned that the temp in Banff is -27. Bet you’re glad to be where you are. Lol. The rudder mechanism is a great piece of technology. VAT is 20%? Wow. We are spoiled here at 5%. Thanks for posting.
Tom Burkett just seen the bit on vat yep 20% on everything and while we are still in the EU we have to carry all invoices as if you can't prove you have paid vat they can charge it when customs boards
A great, no nonsense explanation and description of your hydrovane. Thanks and I rather liked the straight forward directions ‘given off camera’.Sounds like she’s got you well sorted out mate......! I’m a little unclear about the function of the two lines, nonetheless Liked and subbed. Cheers
evanofelipe glad you liked it 😁 the 2 lines are actually 1 never ending line that turns a wheel on the side that's geared to turn the vane left and right so you can set the vane from the cockpit and make adjustments to direction, there so you can steer lol
S/V Sea Gypsea Glad you liked the video 😁 We decided on the Hydrovane because we had read very good things about them, they looked nicer than the majority of others and it was made in our home town so easy to pick up and sort. We had a look at a few other types at the boat show but they were unable to be fitted off centre which is what we needed.
Thank you for the information, very good overview. It was my understanding that a hydrovane connects to the boat's rudder for the actual steering, the hydrovane rudder is used to turn the main rudder. Does yours work that way?
John Fox glad you liked it 😁 The hydrovane is separate from our main steering you lock the main rudder in centre and then the hydrovane will steer with its own rudder. One of the reasons I liked it as it can work as a spare rudder in case the main brakes some how
There are two types of self steering wind vanes, the servo pendulum style and the auxiliary rudder style, all the servo pendulum vanes use a series of pulleys and cables connected to the main steerage be it tiller or helm so yes these types of vanes do steer the main ships steering, auxiliary rudder vanes do not connect in any way to the ships main steerage and use a fixed rudder that turms to port or stbd according to the apparent wind angle as opposed to a paddle going left or right actuating cables connected to the main steerage. Same principle different design engineering principles. The two big advantages of an auxiliary rudder vane are offset mounting and a big safety buffer with a completely separate secondary steerage system
You mentioned the string is that purely for adjustment and not connected to the main steering. An expensive bit of kit, but if you compare it against hand steering if the auto pilot fails or you lose the rudder mid Atlantic, it’s almost a necessity. I think I would be attaching a retainer to the wind vane that’s looks like it could easily become detached and be in the drink. Could you guys have claim back the VAT as you were leaving the UK/EU? Thanks for doing this by the way.
Div3r the strings just for adjustments , it's completely separate from the main helm. Not sure about vat, one of the problems if you haven't payed vat while in the eu if any other Euro member customs boards and you don't have proof they can charge you vat on the spot, bloody tax No problem, happy to enjoyed it 😁👍
Living With The Tide I was on the Lord Nelson anchored more or less where you were and we dinghied in too Porto Morgon. Pretty place I seem to remember
Thanks for that , often wondered how they work, this is one of the only indepth look at a hydrovane on TH-cam. Is it all metal parts, that gear looks plastic on the vid.
I can see the vane bolt coming loose and the vane flying away. That slot should not be open on the bottom of the vanes attachment point. 4000$ is ridiculous for that thing.
4,5k is a lot of money,-yes. Strang not somebody make them self. Is it so hard to make?? It`s a fantastic kit. And use no power, which is great. Autohelm is like 4,5,6,7amp h? I don`t know what you make a month in the UK, but here in Norway you have a dicent jobb if you make £4500 month. (I have to pay tax out of my) :-( And I heard they don`t like down wind sailing...anye experiense there?
Anders Jakobsen it is quite expansive when we sold up I had another in the budget to get one. I think there are plans online somewhere to build your own but I'm not sure it would be as good as the hydrovane, it is well built but for 4.5k it has to be lol. We've used it on a run the most and it works fine as long as there's a bit of wind, I've found it's easy to set as you have no weather helm where if I haven't trimmed quite right on a beam or close reach or it gusts quite a few knots higher it doesn't have the rudder size to fight the weather helm, I find sometimes it helps to lock my main helm a slight turn to starboard or porn depending on the tack just to help a little. Takes a bit to get used to but worth it.
Yeah..maybe worth it to work a month for free ;-) And the Hydrovane is the best of them. It`s always a reason one brand is better than the other......It`s the best ;-) Ha ha....so maybe I can learn to trim my sails better as well ;-) Great!! Suddenly it become cheap ;-))
The Hebridean windvane sells them as a kit to self build. However I think they've only been tested on boats up to 32ft. A yacht like Nova needs a windvane like a Hydrovane especially if making a circumnavigation. I think you could mount one of these on the back of a Maersk shipping container and it would work fine.
![⭐️( ลอยกระทง 2024 ) Ver. แดนซ์ Remix BY [ ดีเจกิต รีมิกซ์ ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rMWOLhgXUHc/mqdefault.jpg)
Good video. Hydrovanes are an important safety, autopilot option. There are other wind vane steering rigs. The one's that operate the boat's rudder, I think miss a critical factor -- what happens if your rudder is broken? The Hydrovane is a completely independent rudder. (And sure if you're using it hitting something could damage both rudders.)
I've got a Hydrovane on my boat, never used it. Only started fiddling with it the other day. My boat is set up for ocean crossings, she's been to New Zealand (from California). Blade rudder, up graded, but still a blade rudder. With the Hydrovane, my main Autopilot, a stick auto pilot, I've got two independent rudders, two tiller options, wind steering. I'm ready to go anywhere including the dreaded Orcas off Spain.
The biggest expense might not be the unit, it might be the installation. I have a sugarscoop aft so the Hydrovane is on some strong tubing more than a meter long. You do want to get the best possible installation. (I'd like to see some boats with Hydrovanes, aft dinghy davits, and maybe sugarscoops. )
I figured out one trick. The adjusting line. I don't have it rigged with the continuous loop. I always have a lot of paracord onboard so I tried that. Without the pulley(block) on the bungee it kept skipping out of the grove on the roller. I just put a twist in that loop so there's an 'X' after the two little guide holes. Problem solved. This is probably a good trick to use in an emergency use if you're not fully set up. You need a lot of paracord. After making my adjustment I just wrap it around a fishing rod holder in a loose knot. I'd suggest to use the H'Vane for an emergency have 50' (15m) of paracord in the locker with the tillers, or hanging off the vane. Mark the mid point on the line with a contrasting color so when you put it on you have equal amounts of line on each side. Ideally I guess would be some kind of quick connection for the continuous loop.
My Hydrovane is 20 years old, cotton lines everywhere, tightening the fabric on the vanes, retaining lines. Going to replace those. Easy. The two main pins were a bit encrusted. A little contact cleaner, plastic kitchen scrubber (on the pins) a little in and out.
That's the most in depth video I have seen on a Hydrovane.. Excellent! Thumbs up yet AGAIN! Pssssttttt you sold me!
S/V Aukrity haha we are really happy with it, a bit I forgot but is a it obviously is it uses no power so that's another selling point
Very good video folks - easy to follow and narrated with a sense of humour. Thanks.
Great bit of kit, worth every penny and more
Thanks for the information!
Good explanation!
Love the bit at the end! 😀
Leaving us with a smile!
Marie Morrissey glad you liked it 😁👍
Hi from Florida , we are enjoying the videos, thanks
Terri Barber glad you like it, thanks for joining us 😁👍
You guys are gaining subs faster and faster all the time. Well done.
PNWesty cheers it is going well, we're just really thankful for all the awesome support 😁
Very informative guys, thanks for making this vid. Can't believe they make them at Nottingham-by-the-sea 😂
Sailing SV Compromise glad you like it 😁 yup well it's made at Kirkby just outside Mansfield lol
Really good video, thank you
Great and both of you really have positive energy, safe sailing with lot’s of fun!! Greeting from Tanjungpinang Indonesia!
Pierre King Thanks for watching! Glad you liked it! It's great to have you with us 😁
Really interesting video. Thanks guys. I think you pitched it just right.
Simon Pownall haha cheers Simon 😁👍
Very good explanatory video. 👍 If you have the inclination it would be good to do a dynamic part 2 - showing at sea - engaging the hydrovane - the effect on course heading and then the iterative adjustments with compass shots showing how you achieve the desired heading. It is expensive, but worth every penny and a valuable 3rd crew member that does not require drinking water, electrical energy or food. When you have finished World cruising and if you wanted to sell it I reckon you got £3K for it as long as it was in good shape, so the net cost is not scary at all.. Keep up the good work and keep having fun.
Great video. I have been thinking about a Windpilot Pacific, so really good to hear your thoughts about the Hydrovane.
redsnappersadler34 glad we can be of any help 😁
Thank you for the video, could you tell me how it works in high winds 25-30?
Hi, it worked really well in high winds, it kept us on course across both alantic crossings, in the trade winds we had a constant 25 to 30 and it handled it fine. Come back West to East we had 3 force 8 and a force 9 gale and again it handled them with ease, tbh it handled the gales better then the crew. I would definitely recommend them for long distance sailing.
Hope that helped, if you want to know more feel free to ask, Happy to help where I can.
Hello. Great simple explanation.
I have one question about the hydrovane rudder size. I’ve heard people say the rudder seems too small to be able to adequately steer a large yacht, compared to the original yachts rudder. Is it sufficient to cope with your size yacht? I have a Cooper 416, which is 24,000lbs with hydraulic steering. So I was concerned about whether the rudder size is sufficient for my yacht, but I absolutely want/need an emergency steering option.
Hi, its an amazing bit of kit but works best when balanced to the sails so they help keep the steering light. I never had to use it as an emergency rudder but that is one of the reasons I choose hydrovane. I feel it would work in an emergency but not as well as the main rudder ever could but then its better then nothing.
Might be best to get in contact with hydrovane and ask them, they were always very helpful when I emailed them.
Hope that helps a little.
So...if the wind changes and comes from a different direction do you have to 'reset' the hydrovane?
Just watching your interesting vid and the weather fella on tv mentioned that the temp in Banff is -27. Bet you’re glad to be where you are. Lol.
The rudder mechanism is a great piece of technology. VAT is 20%? Wow. We are spoiled here at 5%.
Thanks for posting.
Tom Burkett haha yup but I do love snow. It is a good bit of kit.
Glad you like the video 😁👍
Tom Burkett just seen the bit on vat yep 20% on everything and while we are still in the EU we have to carry all invoices as if you can't prove you have paid vat they can charge it when customs boards
A great, no nonsense explanation and description of your hydrovane. Thanks and I rather liked the straight forward directions ‘given off camera’.Sounds like she’s got you well sorted out mate......! I’m a little unclear about the function of the two lines, nonetheless Liked and subbed. Cheers
evanofelipe glad you liked it 😁 the 2 lines are actually 1 never ending line that turns a wheel on the side that's geared to turn the vane left and right so you can set the vane from the cockpit and make adjustments to direction, there so you can steer lol
Great vid explanation thanks. Did you consider an Autohelm Windvane at an time? Any thoughts on a comparison?
S/V Sea Gypsea Glad you liked the video 😁 We decided on the Hydrovane because we had read very good things about them, they looked nicer than the majority of others and it was made in our home town so easy to pick up and sort. We had a look at a few other types at the boat show but they were unable to be fitted off centre which is what we needed.
Thank you for the information, very good overview.
It was my understanding that a hydrovane connects to the boat's rudder for the actual steering, the hydrovane rudder is used to turn the main rudder. Does yours work that way?
John Fox glad you liked it 😁
The hydrovane is separate from our main steering you lock the main rudder in centre and then the hydrovane will steer with its own rudder. One of the reasons I liked it as it can work as a spare rudder in case the main brakes some how
Thank you for the explanation, I didn't realize there was more than one method.
There are two types of self steering wind vanes, the servo pendulum style and the auxiliary rudder style, all the servo pendulum vanes use a series of pulleys and cables connected to the main steerage be it tiller or helm so yes these types of vanes do steer the main ships steering, auxiliary rudder vanes do not connect in any way to the ships main steerage and use a fixed rudder that turms to port or stbd according to the apparent wind angle as opposed to a paddle going left or right actuating cables connected to the main steerage. Same principle different design engineering principles. The two big advantages of an auxiliary rudder vane are offset mounting and a big safety buffer with a completely separate secondary steerage system
good video
I think I would attach a short preventer to the vain attached to the rail just in case!
You mentioned the string is that purely for adjustment and not connected to the main steering.
An expensive bit of kit, but if you compare it against hand steering if the auto pilot fails or you lose the rudder mid Atlantic, it’s almost a necessity. I think I would be attaching a retainer to the wind vane that’s looks like it could easily become detached and be in the drink.
Could you guys have claim back the VAT as you were leaving the UK/EU?
Thanks for doing this by the way.
Div3r the strings just for adjustments , it's completely separate from the main helm.
Not sure about vat, one of the problems if you haven't payed vat while in the eu if any other Euro member customs boards and you don't have proof they can charge you vat on the spot, bloody tax
No problem, happy to enjoyed it 😁👍
Very interesting, thanks. Is that porto Morgon on Gran Canaria behind you?
Mike, Rohan & Poppy glad you liked it, yup it is was a nice place 😁👍
Living With The Tide I was on the Lord Nelson anchored more or less where you were and we dinghied in too Porto Morgon. Pretty place I seem to remember
Mike, Rohan & Poppy as nice and you can get water at the fuel pontoon so we didn't have to pay for a night
Thanks for that , often wondered how they work, this is one of the only indepth look at a hydrovane on TH-cam. Is it all metal parts, that gear looks plastic on the vid.
Our sailing story no problem happy to help if we can
I can see the vane bolt coming loose and the vane flying away. That slot should not be open on the bottom of the vanes attachment point. 4000$ is ridiculous for that thing.
4,5k is a lot of money,-yes. Strang not somebody make them self.
Is it so hard to make??
It`s a fantastic kit. And use no power, which is great. Autohelm is like 4,5,6,7amp h?
I don`t know what you make a month in the UK, but here in Norway you have a dicent
jobb if you make £4500 month. (I have to pay tax out of my) :-(
And I heard they don`t like down wind sailing...anye experiense there?
Anders Jakobsen it is quite expansive when we sold up I had another in the budget to get one. I think there are plans online somewhere to build your own but I'm not sure it would be as good as the hydrovane, it is well built but for 4.5k it has to be lol.
We've used it on a run the most and it works fine as long as there's a bit of wind, I've found it's easy to set as you have no weather helm where if I haven't trimmed quite right on a beam or close reach or it gusts quite a few knots higher it doesn't have the rudder size to fight the weather helm, I find sometimes it helps to lock my main helm a slight turn to starboard or porn depending on the tack just to help a little. Takes a bit to get used to but worth it.
Yeah..maybe worth it to work a month for free ;-)
And the Hydrovane is the best of them.
It`s always a reason one brand is better than the other......It`s the best ;-)
Ha ha....so maybe I can learn to trim my sails better as well ;-) Great!!
Suddenly it become cheap ;-))
The Hebridean windvane sells them as a kit to self build. However I think they've only been tested on boats up to 32ft. A yacht like Nova needs a windvane like a Hydrovane especially if making a circumnavigation. I think you could mount one of these on the back of a Maersk shipping container and it would work fine.