Self steering systems - Wind Vanes

[elie fouere]

Well here are my conclusions based on the reseach I conducted.  Thank you for all the replies.  
 Please tell me what you think

Elie

[elie fouere]

This should work, having problems sendind the document.

Elie

[commanderpete]

A very scholarly piece.

It's good to see Professor Phelon receive attribution.

Now, if you could just finagle a research grant you would be home free.

[Bogle]

Anybody still listening?  I've come across another munufacturer whose lightest unit is only about 30 lbs.  It's called the Pacific Light from Windpilot.

http://www.windpilot.com

Appears to be the ticket for our small shorthanded cruisers.

[Bill]

The winger 2001 or 2002 newsletter had a very good article on self steering.  It was written by a member attending a college of marine science working on her really big boat ticket.  

I may be able to post it if you don't still have the newsletter.

[Janice Collins]

Found the newsletter.  Thanks. Will read tonight.

[Janice Collins]

Wind vanes seem like a good  choice for extended passages.  But  for NOW, anyone use a method of tieing down the tiller just to pull up/down  sails, change sails etc.... That works well?

[S.Airing]

Sirocco has an Autohelm 1000,works well when motoring and when the wind is very constant.If the wind is shifty it chases its self around,and is not very good.

[Dave]

Janice,
Forgive me if I misunderstand your question, or describe something you already know.
One of the best ways to bring your boat under control when you are alone and need to rest or reef the main is to "heave to."
Bring the boat to a close-hauled point of sail.  Use the windward jib sheet (the opposite one that you would normally use on that point of sail) to pull the jib or genoa clew across the centerline of the boat and cleat the sheet in that position.  With the headsail filled "the wrong way" the boat will want to bear off.  So, you lash the tiller to leeward, which tries to make the boat head up.  These two acts cause the boat to alternate between bearing off and heading up -- in effect the boat slowly jogs along almost in place.  Everything slows down and quiets down.  You'll need to adjust the mainsheet to balance the boat, and find the sweet spot that brings the boat nearly to a stop.
You can eat lunch, work on the boat, fix a leak, bail the bildge, or take a very short cat nap if there's no traffic.
And it doesn't require any electricity.
--Dave G

[Janice Collins]

Thank you  all  for the suggestions.  I appreciate everyones time and energies.

  Anyways....I will have to try this "heave- to" method and see if I can find that Sweet Spot...  JUST AS SOON AS I GET THE COURAGE TO  CAST OFF ALONE!!

:cool:

[iceman]

Greetings form the land of no snow and frozen water
Im thinking of a wind vane auto pilot for our Commander
Any info
Any used ones for sail, (sale)
Happy New Year

[Tony G]

So that's where the moniker 'iceman' comes from

Ever consider building one on your own?

http://www.mindspring.com/~waltmur/Self-Steering/index.htm [LINK NO LONGER GOOD]

I think one could build a working model to iron the wrinkles out then duplicate it stainless and FRP.  Just a thought...

[iceman]

Moniker comes from living in Vermont
and working for 3 seasons down in Antarctica
Ill check out website thanks

[commanderpete]

http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=15&highlight=vane

http://www.bway.net/~bogle/commander.html

[iceman]

Too bad you cant post the mpeg of the penquins
Whatbrand on vane is Capt Bogle"s