Hydrovane: Operation
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2014
- "It just works!" Learn how easy it is to operate the Hydrovane. In this video Will provides a quick overview of the Hydrovane's features and we go out for the first sail after installation.
0:28 - VARIABLE AXIS FEATURE
0:50 - RATIO CONTROL
2:00 - ENGAGING THE UNIT and how it works
3:27 - EMERGENCY RUDDER
4:19 - TILLER PILOT APPLICATION
5:05 - REMOTE COURSE ADJUSTMENT
5:48 - HYDROVANE IN ACTION AT SEA - Krátké a kreslené filmy
Thank you for sharing. Your description of the ratio control settings is very helpful.
Good video. I finally started playing with the Hydrovane tthat came mounted on my boat. Even being out in the elements for 20 years everything worked. I ran some paracord as the adjustment line, but didn't make a continuous loop. It would jump off the slotted roller on the Hydrovane. I just flipped the loop at the roller so there's an X after the two holes before it goes around the roller. Stays on just fine. I think if I was in an emergency use I'd just put 25-50 feet of paracord, with the X at the roller. Then I could make all the adjustments I'd need. To seure the line just loosely tie off the two strands on anything.
I think I should probably do some sailing with it just so in an emergency I'd know how to use it. I think we've all had long days, or multiple days where we're on a basic heading, the wind doesn't change that much. Perfect for using the Hydrovane.
Great to hear! 🤩 The best remote course setting is 4mm 8 plait line without any stretch. It has to be new (ie not salty!) to do the heat weld and make an endless loop. Feel free to reach out if you have questions!
Seems every sailor contemplating long passages should view this post. Great vid.
Thanks Don!!
Excellent explanation. There are many many features and advantages of having this installed for solo sailing including additional peace of mind. I'm sold!!
The only video which explains it properly. Thank you 🙏🏼
Great design and system, have it on a Custom Moody 45 cutter, use it for local and offshore sailing single handed all conditions, including upwind in heavy air. No worries re wear and tear on steering quadrant, or electronic autopilots which burn out with circuit boards from overheating and actuators going back and forth, and prone to breakage, having it as a backup rudder is a real bonus, it saved me one day when main rudder jam from running over crab pot.. Main rudder is used as a trim tab for balance -another bonus. Highly recommend this over a pendulum/servo tab design.
Thanks for the excellent report, Alan.
Super nice explanation. About time someone took the time to go over this and show it in use. Now I think I actually understand how it works. HA!
@Houston Izaiah Fake
@Marshall Nathan GTFO clown
Sensible and informative presentation. Thank you.
This is the best system in the market no ropes attached to your tiller or wheel steering
Love it.
Excellent vid and demo! Finally a good (feature driven) content video! Thanks!
After finally seeing the Hydrovane in person in Annapolis, and seeing all the other self steering devices on display there. I have to say that I was very impressed by the construction and the forethought that is in it. I will be talking to you about one in the future.
Good video with a simple and concise explanation of especially showing the remote control rigging. What would be nice is an expanded video where while on the water you show setting it up for certain points of sail and if you tweaked the set-up or controls how that effects your sailing.
Yes, but that might take a while to produce. It would be best to have lots of different wind conditions.
Very informative, thanks.
Nice job on the video, I had one on my boat, rock solid performance windvane!!!
Great Video, I always find seeing and hearing to be very useful, Thanks
Great explanation, thank you!
very good explanation!
It occurs to me that in an extreme emergency (say you lost electrical power and then dropped the red vane in the ocean) or just for fun, one could use the tiller and rudder for ‘Sailing to Tiller’ steering; it’s complicated to set this up on wheel steering, but the addition of this hydrovane tiller makes it possible; as an alternative to hand steering 24 hours per day.
It's a good point. If you no longer had the Vane onboard, you could certainly try that. (nb - always keep a tether on the Rudder and Vane). The other option is making a new temporary Vane! See this link for a similar situation: hydrovane.com/?s=catalina+400&post_type=stories&sentence=2009 :)
very cool
Great product! I can't wait to get one!
Beautiful people!
Great video.
Thanks, now I have to go buy one.
Have noted in the video a significant keel line offset of the hydrovane installation. How much offset is possible for a 10mt boat?
Looks nice and boy am I a sucker for mechanical gear. I just love anything that works reliably on a simple principle. But seems stunningly expensive. I suppose it's a well finished but low volume product, so it's got to be pricey or just doesn't exist.
Will,
Question for you.
I've seen SEVERAL videos of sailors who have the Hydrovane installed with the CURVED part of the vane facing FORWARD...as opposed to the above video...which shows the curved part facing AFT.
Does it make any operational difference WHICH WAY the vane is mounted?
Are there any conditions which suggest/dictate which orientation should be used?
Thanks.
Hi Romeo, thanks for your question!
The Vane itself only clamps one way - but can be rotated 360 degrees (pull the course adjustment line to rotate). So what you have noticed is not a difference in mounting, but instead boats using the Hydrovane to steer on different points of sail.
In order to 'set' the Hydrovane to steer on a desired wind-based course, you need to ensure that the leading edge of the vane (the NON-CURVED edge) is feathered into the wind.
In this video, we're sailing upwind so we've rotated the Vane so that the leading edge is pointed forward.
In other videos, if you see the non-curved leading edge facing aft, that is because the Vane has been set to steer a downwind course - wind coming from aft.
If sailing on a beam reach, you would rotate the Vane to about 90 degrees - into the wind.
Hope that makes it clearer.
Cheers! Sarah
A..hah!
That makes sense.
I want a first mate as smart as Sarah!!! Ü
Excellent presentation! Couple of questions.... Could the dodger or pilot house interfere with the flow of the wind to the vane? In your opinion is the Hydrovane technique superior to the serveo/pendulum technique? Is one more suited to a particular style boat than the other? Thanks for posting.
Does your boat sail dead into the apparent wind? LOL
I have built and used a servo/pendulum self steering gear connected to the rudder stock with rope and chain. It was a very powerfull system and could pull the boat back on course easily.The leverage produced by having a long blade deep in the water is enormous. The boat it was installed on was 34' and I tend to think this system was overkill. The hydrovane looks very well engineered and probably gains extra power by the "balanced" rudder.Hope this helps.
what is the rudder , the big rudder on the boat doing when this little rudder takes over. im thinking it just goes along for the ride or do you tie it off. Thanks.
Hi Terry, you must lock off the boat's main rudder so it's fixed. It can be slightly off center if there is any weather or lee helm. Cheers, Sarah.
It is important to remember to secure the main rudder, and at a helpful angle; if you don’t the two rudders will fight each other and you’ll wonder why you can’t hold a good course.
Nice video, one question though, if something under the water snaps off your rudder, wouldn't the Hydrovane rudder also get snapped off? A trawler line for example would just rip through both, no?
Or it may not. A submarine could take your keel off as well. There are plenty of scenarios far more common than that that would make the emergency steering valid.
Wouldn't the motion of the boat due to wave action affect this system greatly? The vane would flop both due to wind direction, but also boat motion, wouldn't it?
Doesn't seem to.
So it steers the boat relative to the apparent wind angle, but it doesn't steer to a specific GPS location, or a set heading?
That's right! All mechanical windvanes are set to steer at an angle relative to the apparent wind.
That's the beauty... even as the wind does its minor shifting, your sails are always trimmed properly - very efficient sailing.
If there's a big wind shift, it's easy to adjust that angle (to get back on your desired heading). And then trim the sails on the new point of sail.
Hydrovane Got you. Thank you for replying.
Yes, of course, unless you hook up an electric tiller autopilot.
If sleeping and close to land there is a danger of a wind shift changing the boat heading dramatically towards a hazard, so one would need to set an alarm on the multifunction display to alert you. This happened in the 2023 Golden Globe race with one sailor off Lanzarote and as they were not permitted modern electronics there was no alarm. One needs to stay aware of the situation and potential risks. With modern electronics it’s fine. To set a compass heading disengaged the hydrovane and engage the tiller pilot.
do you guys have a model that would work on a 30 tonne monohull?
We have configured Hydrovanes for boat this heavy, but it is boat-dependant. Over 25 Tons we provide the option of two Hydrovanes. Happy to send more info if you could please send the boat model and photos of the stern showing any other gear to: sarah@hydrovane.com. Thanks!
@@Hydrovane thanks for taking the time to respond. currently traveling so not able to provide photos, but the boat is a one-off steel sloop, about 15.5m. when i get back, i'll get in contact and send some more specs. thanks again for responding.
hi, i am just wondering how this works in variable wind conditions where the wind quickly gusts and changes directions? thx
Great question. It’s the same as any autopilot or windvane - you need to depower your sail configuration to accommodate. In those types of conditions you need to be adjusting sails and course more frequently.
@@Hydrovane ok thank you!
I was wondering that too. Here in Newfoundland, some days it seems like the wind is blowing from all directions at the same time.
Impressive product........when hydrovane is disengaged what positions and holds its rudder?
I believe that there is a small line attached to the windvane rudder that you can use to lift it. You can see it in the video.
The line controls the angle of the red vane only.
When the gear is disengaged the rudder won’t turn. You can hold the rudder straight (in line with bow to stern line) by inserting the locking pin through the gear casing and shaft.
Great Wideo but what boat is Cora Jane it looks good.
Hi Sune, Cora Jane is a Cal 39. Cheers! Sarah
What happens to the vane's rudder when you're motoring backward?
Hi Steven, thanks for the Q. There are a few options. 1) Insert the Shaft Locking Pin to fix the Rudder fore and aft, 2) Use the Hydrovane Rudder to improve maneuverability, 3) Take the Rudder off before you enter a tight marina (Pull the Rudder Locking Pin. Very easy on some boats). Your Q is answered in more detail here: hydrovane.com/faqs Cheers, Sarah
Does it have rudder stops, in other words?
So you keep your main rudder straight and locked?
Yes, the main rudder is locked, sometimes slightly off center to compensate for weather or lee helm.
They should build these wind vains into the boats?
What happens if the rudder catches on something or hits an object underwater?
If you hit a object, you will likely have damage to the keel and main rudder first :/ The Hydrovane Shaft is very strong and the solid plastic Rudder can absorb some of the load. A worst case scenario is that a major impact results in a bent Shaft. We see this from time to time, but almost always from accidents caused by wayward boats in a marina. If the rudder catches something offshore, like weed for example, you can use a boat hook to sluff it off.
@@Hydrovane Can this work on an Island Packet 35 with full keel and dinghy davits? I also have a swim ladder in the middle of my flat transom and solar panel on top of the dinghy davits. Thanks.
Yes - most Island Packet 35 installations are off center, next to the swim ladder. The dinghy can rest against the Hydrovane when in use. Feel free to send us a photo of your set up, and we can show you examples of sisterships. Cheers, Sarah - sarah@hydrovane.com
@@Hydrovane Thanks Sarah. The technology you have certainly seems capable. It will be a little bit in the future before we do this upgrade. Regards.
@@snakeplisken4278 with a full enclosure or even an open bimini for that matter would you need the vane to be up above the canvas, I imagine most definitely when sailing up wind?
Like how easy the Hydrovane can be converted to emergency steering.
There is no conversion required. When the Hydrovane is disengaged (ie, A Ratio Knob moved to the far right setting), then you are then controlling the Hydrovane's Rudder with its Tiller. That is your emergency steering - always in place and ready to go :) The Hydrovane is inherently a complete second steering system for the boat. Cheers, Sarah
@ What alternative do you suggest?
@ As an emergency rudder, it's never going to be ideal. It's intended to give you some steerage, enough to make some landfall somewhere. Otherwise you could just remove your rudder entirely and just use this.
Pull out the sunglasses !
I had to watch it again... I didn't even notice :/
i tried to email them but no reply,sad buissness practice and i live in BC sad
Hi Andy! Good to hear from you. We prepared a proposal for you back in early July and sent via email multiple times (to the outlook.com address), but it kept bouncing back. Could you please sent me a quick email from another account to sarah@hydrovane.com so we can be in touch? Or email me a contact phone number. Cheers, Sarah Curry
There's a legacy technology called t-e-l-e-p-h-o-n-e you should look into. Still works really well, even in today's world.
I found that they give excellent, personal, helpful service.
I got to get me one of these😂
Your website isn’t coming up. Are you still in business?
Absolutely. There was a website glitch over the weekend. It should be back online now? It is working for me on my laptop, but not iphone 🙃 Apologies for the inconvenience! Feel free to call or email us if you have questions. sarah@hydrovane.com +1 604 925 2660