Windvanes on Ketches or Yawls

[raven041]

We have a Cheoy Lee Offshore 41 Ketch and are seriously considering a Cape Horn windvane. The mizzen boom extends well aft of the transom. I have a question for ketch or yawl owners: does a vane have to be mounted aft of the mizzen boom? Even if mounted so, does the air draft off the mizzen sail adversely affect the performance of the windvane?

[VIEXILE]

Call or email (several) vane manufacturers. You need the distance from the deck to the underside of the boom or first sheeting rigging that might interfere. They can also customize a bracket mounting system, based on your boat''s manufacture and their experience with the craft, to avoid any ill effects from sail drafting. Generally, they have detailed familiarity with most boat models.....I''m sure your Cheoy Lee ketch model has had a vane mounted in the past

[thomasstone]

I have a Cape Horn, and I could not see it working with your ketch.You can Contact Cape Horn they are very helpful ,they might be able to make something work for you as every vane is custom for each particular boat.
thomas

[Snap]

I now own a Hinckley B-40 that was originally rigged as a yawl but was converted by Hinckley to a sloop at the request of the owner. He was the US dealer for the Atoms wind vane and apparently the mizzen boom interfered with the proper operation of the vane so he had Hinckley remove the mizzen and replace the main boom with a longer one so he could use the Atoms and demonstrate it. Hope this drastic measure is not needed by your setup although I do like the sloop rig. I have added an inner stay and a small self-tending forestaysail on a Harken roller which makes sail handling possible for a seasoned citizen with a ''bad'' back.

Snap

[raven041]

Thanks for the input. I have contacted windvane manufacturers including Cape Horn and they say no problem. The Cape Horn owner even sent photos of his unit mounted on ketches. It appears that the vane can extend over the mizzen boom, and you need to lower the vane when tacking. I am still concerned about the draft off the mizzen sail affecting the performance of the windvane. One ketch owner on the SSCA list indicated that there was such a performance problem on their rig.

Snap - It was a Hinckley B40 yawl that got me into split rigs. It balanced perfectly in various conditions. Wonderful boat! I do not want to sacrifice my mizzen and will continue to seek input from folks with split rigs and windvanes.
Thank you,
Mike Smith
S/V Raven