Wind vane steering for a double ender...

[zaliasvejas]

I am trying to figure out wind vane steering options for Nordica 30, a double ender with a keel hung rudder. The rudder is raked forward at a steep angle and the trailing edge is well rounded to make trim tab type steerer impossible to install.
So far, my options as I see them: install Monitor style windvane, with a monster outrigger and a paddle swinging way out there or figure out some kind of sheet steering arrangement.
Another idea I saw in some book was using a large counter balanced blade, that would have enough leverage to control the rudder directly. It would be useful on broad reach or a run only, since the pressure on the tiller is weakest at those points. The blade swings on a horizontal axis, with a weight to keep it somewhat level, and as the boat rounds up, it would lose it's balance and swing sideways, providing a pull on the tiller.
Has any one seen this type of arrangement. Any ideas would be appreciated

The Seeker

[sailingdog]

It really depends a lot on the loads the tiller will experience... a pure windvane doesn't generate much force to steer the boat, so you the servo-pendulum or trim-tab models are designed to generate greater steering forces. Might well be worth reading Lechter's book on self-steering.

[mudjee]

Hi, Im looking at a Cape Horn model for my Union 36 canoe stern, so far it looks the best and has a 5 yr (or one circumnavigation) guarantee!

[dquack]

I have a Cape Horn on my pearson 33. I love it. I've sailed just over 3,000 miles with it in the last 5 years and it is really tough. By far the simplest and most robust design. I carefully looked at the others and felt they had flaws I could not live with. (too many moving parts, not sensitive enough, mixed metals, poor service, looking like oil derricks on my stern, too fragile, etc.) I also went to Montreal to visit his factory. Yves is a genius, and does very tough, quality work. All stainless and simpler to mount. I really like steering the boat from inside the cabin with it. Plus it was a good buy.

FWIW I recommend it.

Don

[Rockter]

mudjee...

You've got a Union 36???

Like this one....

Image of downwind on Loch Ness, July 2008 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Small world!!!

Let me know how you fit the Cape Horn.

[Capnblu]

How about a Hydrovane?