United Kingdom
9 Posts
Posted - 15/07/2016 : 21:01:13
Hi have any Sabre Owners fitted Wind Vane Self Steering.I am looking at Sea Feather or similar.
John
tokomaru111
United Kingdom
38 Posts
Posted - 15/07/2016 : 22:04:28
I made a paddle driven self steering for my Sabre which I used to cross the channel many times single handed. A wind vane connected directly to the tiller is not powerful enough on it's own unless you use a 10 foot vane. The problem with wind vanes is that you have to adjust them for every wind change. A battery driven autopilot is the answer, the modern ones have a low drain on the battery, I have used one for several channel crossings with no problems.
Ron Walke
SteveV
United Kingdom
43 Posts
Posted - 16/07/2016 : 10:08:34
Spirit of Venus has a Sea Feather
john
United Kingdom
9 Posts
Posted - 16/07/2016 : 10:41:27
Hi thanks for your reply .I had used a Raymarine ST 2000 in the past.It lasted about 2 years.I have looked at the Raymarine SPX 5.
regards John
ianfr
United Kingdom
104 Posts
Posted - 19/07/2016 : 16:43:37
I was given most of a built from plans windvane. An appeal on YBW.com for any details got me a copy of the plans from the book it came from. If you are interested I can send them to you. I guess it would cost around £300 - £400 to build from scratch depending on how good you are at woodwork.
Edit: This is a full servo pendulum rudder system
It works pretty well, and I am modifying bits which is making it better, (so far!)
Let me know if interested.
Ian
Kind Regards
Jo and Ian
Apogee, Tollesbury
Edited by - ianfr on 19/07/2016 17:24:34
tokomaru111
United Kingdom
38 Posts
Posted - 19/07/2016 : 17:01:19
I don't remember the exact cost of my system but I estimate the total cost was under £25 using material found in my garage, I was a carpenter by trade so had ample supplies of off cuts, the counter weights were made from scrap lead I scrounged off plumber colleagues. the system served me well on two single handed trips to Guernsey and back. I think I still have it somewhere in the attic. Ron Walke
john
United Kingdom
9 Posts
Posted - 20/07/2016 : 20:57:41
Hi Thanks for all the replies.I am looking at buying a good second hand Servo Pendulum Wind Vane.
SteveV
United Kingdom
43 Posts
Posted - 21/07/2016 : 05:16:43
Sea Feather seemed good when I looked a while ago. They quoted around £1800 including fitting in Brixham and a test sail. That was a year or so ago though
tokomaru111
United Kingdom
38 Posts
Posted - 21/07/2016 : 09:09:46
£1800 seems like extortion to me when with a little ingenuity you can make your own for less than £100
Minerva
United Kingdom
27 Posts
Posted - 05/10/2016 : 19:07:11
I have Just fitted a Windpilot Pacific light on by bilge keeler. It was 1700 euros. Thankfully i purchased it before the pound went to toff. Even though it is still cheeper than a seafeather. I have used it for the season and have found it flawless. It steres from about 5 kts of wind and a boat speed of just over a knot. Then gives up at about 6kts with a bilge keel out of the water. I tend to reef before that tho
mark prichard
United Kingdom
3 Posts
Posted - 23/11/2016 : 21:54:10
I fitted a Sea Feather to Ocean Arriette a couple of years ago and I love it. It is expensive- but a joy to use!
john
United Kingdom
9 Posts
Posted - 05/03/2017 : 01:31:52
I got a second hand South Atlantic Wind Vane.I will fit in April and Test in May when I go back in the river Tamar.Thanks for all the replies John