Wind vane self steering

[Zozza 293]

A pic of the original 'Chico' when it was for sale some years back in San Francisco.

 

 

[Sail Rock 28]

Fantastic feedback guys! My current set up is a Raymarine tiller pilot plus a spare. This has been adequate for coastal sailing but my ambition is to sail offshore. Already have a solar panel but would need to increase house battery bank capacity to run the tiller pilot 24/7. That would add more weight so I am not concerned about added weight of a wind vane steering alternative.

 

The tiller pilot has simple pinned connections that I suspect could fall out in a violent sea. I chatted to a skipper on another boat a few years ago on the way up to Fiji who blew out 3 tiller pilots by the time he got to Minerva Reef. He had 3 crew so they could hand steer the rest of the way. The bigger boat I was crewing on blew out an Autohelm linear drive which was replaced with a spare. I think hand steering for 1000+ miles is not feasible for the small number of crew that I will likely have (possible solo for some passages).

 

Graham Kendall circumnavigated solo using an autopilot plus spare parts and he told me that it was very reliable. But his boat was bigger than mine and has wheel steering so could install a more robust auto pilot system.

 

Jessica Watson circumnavigated with a Fleming wind vane and was knocked down several times but the Fleming just kept on working. I like the sound of that. I gather many wind vane systems work better as the wind blows harder. I also like the idea of being able to repair a mechanical system rather than electronic one. There are pros and cons for both.

 

My goals are not as ambitious as Kendall and Watson. The humble Chico is small by today’s standards but is a proven boat offshore. The journey will be “camping” rather than “glamping”!

[Steve Pope 243]

Hand steering is onerous but entirely possible, everybody did it before Self steering units were conceived. easier still if you hook up a sheet (Jib) to tiller setup. Also, 30 odd years ago 30' was considered a goodly sized yacht with many smaller going offshore.

[southernman 73]

Crikey it’s a Chico 30 not a 40 footer.

 

It does not matter, you still need the same stuff whatever the boat.  A tiller pilot will work of course and feel free to go offshore but you'd struggle for sure.  I'm talking for real world here having owned a Chico and taken it offshore. 

 

Far better option is a proper ram and autopilot.  The advantage I see mainly will be that the Hydrovane acts as your Cat 1 compliance for emergency steering,  and in real world it will actually steer the boat also.  

[Black Panther 1,581]

Get a windvane definitely. The system I described was specific to a chico 30 and worked better than a hydroplane. I know coz I have also sailed 40000 miles with a hydroplane. They are great. This was better

[wild violet 38]

Yep nothing is more reliable than a trim tab on a stern hung rudder,would have done it to my boat if i could have.

[Steve Pope 243]

Trim tab lends itself to being driven by a small tiller pilot, almost no load so it will last much longer than one directly connected to the tiller. An aquaintance recommended getting a cover (canvas / sunbrella) made with a clear window for the buttons, he had had trouble with water getting inside the electronics.

[Black Panther 1,581]

Yes. If you go trim tab on main rudder you can put the tiller pilot on the trim tab for better performance when motoring or in sloppy waves and light winds. Rest of the time just use the wind vane. Excellent setup and your stern hung rudder is a bonus not an impediment.

[ex TL systems 63]

I made a simple cover of clear plastic stitched together underneath with cable ties. Gladwrap works too if you are wanting a quick fix temporarily.

[Sail Rock 28]

So, I did some surfing on the web and sourced a trim tab type wind vane system manufactured in the US at https://www.scanmarinternational.com/auto-helm

 

They are the same outfit that supplies Monitor self steering systems which I gather are pretty good.

 

Has anyone had experience using this Auto-Helm product??

[Dtwo 157]

I didn't see what they do when parking - i.e. in reverse

[vic008 17]

BP, I am still having trouble with a/p direct to tab. My arm at the top end is only about 4" long and that may be the problem- needs to be 8" long I hear.

[Black Panther 1,581]

Had one on an ericson 35. Probably the least efficient I have used.

[Black Panther 1,581]

What's it doing/not doing?

[Rocketship 0]

I have a Chico 30 with a trim tab. The previous owner did the 2007 Solo Tasman race in it, but he never had self-steering, only an autopilot. I have upgraded the autopilot to a Raymarine Evo system but would still like to add self-steering. Black Panther's idea sounds great..! I would love to see a schematic of that..?