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The authors say that, depending on your basic steering system and your transom shape, not all windvanes will suit you. They explain how windvanes work, and give guidelines for selection.
[SailNet, 21 May 2003]
[Vendor]
This system is inserted through the transom and operates directly on the steering quadrant, reducing cockpit clutter and permitting use with a hydraulic steering system. An interesting history of vane design by Yves Gelinas is included.
[Cap Horn, produits marins, Oka, Quebec, Canada]
Read this if you are trying to decide between autopilot and windvane self-steering. The author has both on his 42-ft steel sloop and measured their comparative performances on a six-month circumnavigation. He found a surprising difference in overall performance!
[Cruising World, January 2004]
Illustrated 142-page on-line book covering both windvane and autopilot steering for sailboats. All you could want to know.
[Windpilot, Hamburg, Germany]
The maker of several vane-gear trade names offers extensive and largely unbiased explanation and advice on the various types of vanes and their components, and the choice between wind vane and autopilot, with tips and checklists.
[Scanmar International, Richmond, CA, USA]
A wind vane generates lots of steering power but doesn′t operate when there is no wind. Here′s a way to use an electric tiller pilot to steer the windvane, with very low current draw.
[John Stevenson, Green Cove Springs, FL, USA]
Windpilot divides the commercially-available wind vanes, past and present, (including their own) into 12 types and gives a tabular breakdown of their power and other attributes.
[Windpilot, Hamburg, Germany]
One vendor′s illustrated explanation of where a servo-pendulum steering system gets its power.
[Fleming Marine Engineering, Port Lincoln, South Australia, Australia]
The principles that govern the operation of servo pendulum and auxiliary rudder self-steering systems.
[Hydrovane, West Vancouver, BC, Canada]
One cruiser′s evaluation of above- and below-deck autopilots and servo-pendulum and auxiliary rudder wind vanes, with an explanation of why his boat has three systems.
[Hydrovane, West Vancouver, BC, Canada]
A steering sheet led from the stays′l boom, aft along the windward side, and then to a tiller will give reliable and easy self steering. It′s hard to believe, but this really does work...!!
Michael Kasten
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