Hello,
I am looking into a self steering mechanism. After reading the websites of Hydrovane (http://www.hydrovane.com) and Monitor wind vane (http://www.selfsteer.com), I would like to hear what OCC members use specially in heavy boats, over 20T.
I noticed that there are at least 5-10 products to consider so it would be nice to hear other self steering product opinions.
I appreciate any info (the good, the bad and the ugly).
Thanks,

Hi,
I have just been through the deliberations for my Gunfleet 43. We already had an autopilot which can be controlled from the helm or from below. However, given that we wished to be equipped for solo sailing, a backup solution was mandatory. One solution (implemented by Ryan from Youtube channel Ryan and Sophie Sailing) was to set up a second, completely independent autopilot. The alternative was self steering. My boat was in Northern Spain this summer and there is a yard at Xufre which has become a specialist by default. They have installed Hydrovanes on four yachts over the winter of 2021/22.
My previous view had been that self steering was for small boats (say below 35ft). However this has changed in the last 15 years. Around 2007/8 Hydrovane introduced a much bigger rudder. However they did not modify the main shaft and, in some cases, the mechanics of the extra load caused flexing in the shaft such that the system did not work well. This was fixed by upgrading the shaft to duplex stainless.
Last winter in the Caribbean I met three ownersusing Hydrovane on boats bigger than mine.
Based on these recommendations I had a Hydrovane fitted in August. No complaints so far, although I will be able to give a better critique in one month after using it for an Atlantic crossing
Hope this helps,
Tom Collins
S/Y Skyfall

+x

 

Thomas.Collins - 12 Nov 2022

Hi,
I have just been through the deliberations for my Gunfleet 43. We already had an autopilot which can be controlled from the helm or from below. However, given that we wished to be equipped for solo sailing, a backup solution was mandatory. One solution (implemented by Ryan from Youtube channel Ryan and Sophie Sailing) was to set up a second, completely independent autopilot. The alternative was self steering. My boat was in Northern Spain this summer and there is a yard at Xufre which has become a specialist by default. They have installed Hydrovanes on four yachts over the winter of 2021/22.
My previous view had been that self steering was for small boats (say below 35ft). However this has changed in the last 15 years. Around 2007/8 Hydrovane introduced a much bigger rudder. However they did not modify the main shaft and, in some cases, the mechanics of the extra load caused flexing in the shaft such that the system did not work well. This was fixed by upgrading the shaft to duplex stainless.
Last winter in the Caribbean I met three ownersusing Hydrovane on boats bigger than mine.
Based on these recommendations I had a Hydrovane fitted in August. No complaints so far, although I will be able to give a better critique in one month after using it for an Atlantic crossing
Hope this helps,
Tom Collins
S/Y Skyfall

Hi Tom, Nice report. I look forward to your field report, especially if they include some light air as well as heavier air sailing and how "fussy" you experience the use of the autopilot. Also, is a Hydrovane adaptable so it can be used as an aux rudder if there is a boat failure in that area?
Thanks, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

+x

 

Dick - 12 Nov 2022

+x

 

Thomas.Collins - 12 Nov 2022

Hi,
I have just been through the deliberations for my Gunfleet 43. We already had an autopilot which can be controlled from the helm or from below. However, given that we wished to be equipped for solo sailing, a backup solution was mandatory. One solution (implemented by Ryan from Youtube channel Ryan and Sophie Sailing) was to set up a second, completely independent autopilot. The alternative was self steering. My boat was in Northern Spain this summer and there is a yard at Xufre which has become a specialist by default. They have installed Hydrovanes on four yachts over the winter of 2021/22.
My previous view had been that self steering was for small boats (say below 35ft). However this has changed in the last 15 years. Around 2007/8 Hydrovane introduced a much bigger rudder. However they did not modify the main shaft and, in some cases, the mechanics of the extra load caused flexing in the shaft such that the system did not work well. This was fixed by upgrading the shaft to duplex stainless.
Last winter in the Caribbean I met three ownersusing Hydrovane on boats bigger than mine.
Based on these recommendations I had a Hydrovane fitted in August. No complaints so far, although I will be able to give a better critique in one month after using it for an Atlantic crossing
Hope this helps,
Tom Collins
S/Y Skyfall

Hi Tom, Nice report. I look forward to your field report, especially if they include some light air as well as heavier air sailing and how "fussy" you experience the use of the autopilot. Also, is a Hydrovane adaptable so it can be used as an aux rudder if there is a boat failure in that area?
Thanks, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy

Yes, in principle it can function as an emergency rudder. However, it cannot 'fight' the main rudder. So the main rudder has to either be completely detached (orca bite?) or somehow locked centrally. I am not sure either scenario is realistic. And I hope I never find out!