Pendulum wind vane -V- auxiliary rudder vane

[SimonV]

Do you use either of these, I know the Pendulum types such a Monitor are very popular but I can also see the advantages of the Auxiliary rudder type such as AutoHelm. What are your views?

[RD3]

Hi Simon,

I installed a windavane on my Cape Dory 28 this summer. I considered both types and went with a Windpilot Pacific, which is a pendulum type. The main factors in my decision were that the cost of pendulum types is less, they can be easily swung out of the water when not needed, and that auxilliary rudders add additional drag. On the positive side, auxilliary rudder types are unobtrusive; no additional lines in the cockpit. They also work better in lighter air. They are sometime the only choice on boats where patching into the boat's own steering system is not feasible. Another type of windvane is the Sayes rig. I do not know much about those other than there is a direct connection to the rudder.

I am very happy with my Windpilot. I use a tiller pilot autohelm in light air and deploy the windvane when things pick up a bit. I find that it becomes operable in around only 5 kts. when sailing upwind. Downwind, of course, it takes a bit more since the apparent wind is reduced.

Hope this helps.

[sailingdog]

One advantage of auxiliary rudder wind vanes is that some can be used as emergency steering, if the main rudder fails.

Scanmar, which makes the Monitor, AutoHelm and Saye's Rig wind vanes, also makes an emergency rudder.

Whether you want a pendulum-type or an auxiliary rudder type wind vane really depends a lot on what kind of boat you have.

[rrgane]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

One advantage of auxiliary rudder wind vanes is some can be used as emergency steering, if the main rudder fails.

Hey i got a Norvane which is a pendulum, however it can lock vertically and has a socket to accept an emergency tiller. Do not know how effective a locked pendulum will act as an emergency rudder .. better then nothing i suppose..

[erps]

Do you use either of these, I know the Pendulum types such a Monitor are very popular but I can also see the advantages of the Auxiliary rudder type such as AutoHelm. What are your views?

Looked at both options for our boat. We're going with the auxiliary rudder type. I liked the clean installation, the simplicity and the fact that it's taking a bit of strain off the main steering system. Both systems are pretty well proven to do the job.

[SimonV]

Originally Posted by erps

Looked at both options for our boat. We're going with the auxiliary rudder type. I liked the clean installation, the simplicity and the fact that it's taking a bit of strain off the main steering system. Both systems are pretty well proven to do the job.

Thanks all.

ERPS that was my thinking, less lines in the cockpit, but its when sailing down wind will the Auxiliary rudder unit be sensitive enough.

[sailingdog]

Again this is pretty specific to the windvane and boat in question. If the boat is a well-balanced fin keel design then it may be enough, if the boat is a heavy displacement full keel, then you may need more steering power than the auxiliary rudder can provide.

Originally Posted by SimonV

Thanks all.

ERPS that was my thinking, less lines in the cockpit, but its when sailing down wind will the Auxiliary rudder unit be sensitive enough.

[SimonV]

Thanks SD, I will be talking to the makers in San Fran soon, they make both so its not like there is conflict of interest and only $200 difference.