Synopses & Reviews
Here is the definitive manual for choosing, purchasing, installing, maintaining, repairing, using, and even building a windvane self-steerer, that amazing device that relieves longdistance sailors from the the helm while using not one amp of precious electrical power. This user-friendly guide includes:
- How vane gears work
- A clear discussion of how to match vane design with boat
- Invaluable instructions for how to sail with a windvane-- settings, sail trim, and more
- A detailed look at nine commercial models, plus plans and instructions for readers to build their own
About the Author
Bill Morris, a retired college educator and former magazine editor, now roams the seas aboard a vintage Cal 30. Committed to finding ways to keep cruising simple, he has used and studied self-steering mechanisms extensively.
Table of Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction: What You Will Find in This Book
Chapter 1. An Overview of Sailboat Self-Steering
Mechanical Versus Electronic Steering
A Brief History of Windvane Self-Steering
Captain Joshua Slocum / Early Experiments / Marin-Marie / Trim-Tab Steering / Blondie Hasler and the OSTAR / Marcel Gianoli / Nick Franklin / Stellan Knöös / Hans Bernwall and Carl Seipel
Chapter 2. Wind-Powered Self-Steering Systems: How They Work
Sheet-to-Tiller Steering
Trim-Tab Gears
Vertical-Vane Trim Tabs / Horizontal-Vane Trim Tabs
Servopendulums
Vertical-Vane Servopendulum / Horizontal-Vane Servopendulum / Pendulum Trim Tab / Pendulum Trim-Tab Tiller Arm
Notes on Rudder Design
Mechanical-Electronic Combinations
Chapter 3. Materials and Fabrication Methods
Characteristics of Metals
Melting Point / Malleability and Ductility / Tensile Strength, Hardness, and Toughness / Galvanic Corrosion
Marine Alloys
Bronze and Brass / Stainless Steel / Aluminum
Metal Processing and Fabrication
Casting / Rolling / Seamless Tubing / Brazing and Welding / Machining
Polymers
Nylon, Teflon, and Delrin / Polycarbonate / Injection Molding
Chapter 4. Selecting the Right System
Type of Main Steering
Vessel Size
Stern and Rudder Configuration
Obstacles, or Garümpel
Design Features
Servopendulums / Trim Tabs
Evaluating the Manufacturer
Reputation / Price / Warranty / Repair / Parts Availability
New Vane Gear Checklist
Chapter 5. Vane Gear Specifications
Aries (Denmark/Post-1993) (servopendulum)
Auto-Helm (auxiliary rudder horizontal-vane trim tab)
Cape Horn (servopendulum)
Fleming Global 201 and 301 (servopendulum)
Hydrovane (airvane-powered auxiliary rudder)
Monitor (servopendulum)
Navik (pendulum trim tab)
Sailomat 601 (servopendulum)
Saye's Rig (pendulum trim tab on main rudder)
Windpilot (servopendulum and servopendulum-powered auxiliary rudder)
Chapter 6. Purchasing a Used Vane Gear
Where to Locate Used Vane Gears
Cruiser Swap Meets / Nautical Classified Ads / Internet / Marinas and Yacht Clubs
What to Look For
Matching a Unit to Your Vessel / Price / Condition and Reparability / Parts Availability
Discontinued Models
Used Vane Gear Checklist
Chapter 7. Installation
Things to Consider
Overhead Clearance and Airflow / Stern Configuration / Blocks and Lines
Attaching to Hull
Preparation / Mounting Brackets and Backing Blocks / Mounting Tubes
Installing Lines and Blocks
Lines to Tiller / Lines to Wheel / Cape Horn Control Lines
Attaching Lines to the Helm
Tiller Steering / Wheel Steering
Chapter 8. Sailing with Windvane Steering
Review of Sailing Basics
True and Apparent Wind / The Points of Sail
Balancing the Rig
Interfering Forces / Sloop Rig / Split Rig / More on Downwind Sailing
Operating the Vane Gear
Servopendulum Steering / Trim-Tab Steering
Chapter 9. Maintenance and Repair
Inspection
Bushings, Bearings, and Sleeves
Blocks and Control Lines
Bent Tubing and Broken Welds
Caring for Aluminum
Unfreezing Oxidized Parts / Cleaning and Lubrication / Fasteners / Plastic Insulators
Calibration
Servopendulums / Trim Tabs
Broken Airvanes
Chapter 10. Customizing Your Vane Gear
Reinforcing the Mounting Structure
Struts / Wire and Turnbuckles
Lubricating Vintage Aluminum Vane Gears
Custom Airvanes
Standard Airvane / Vane for Light Airs / Same Thing, But Lighter / Storm Vane / Mizzen Boom Vane / Cutting and Finishing
Trim Tab for Transom Rudder
Design / Construction
Coupler for Autopilot and Vane Gear
Chapter 11. Emergency Rudders
The Nightmare of Rudder Failure
Servopendulum Conversions
BEST / Fleming Optional Emergency Rudder / MRUD
Auxiliary Rudder Conversions
SOS Rudder: Self-Contained Rudder Kit
Build Your Own Emergency Rudder
Installing an Emergency Rudder
Chapter 12. Build a Horizontal-Vane Trim-Tab System
Overview of West End Concept
Design
Materials and Construction
Appendix
Manufacturers, Vendors, and Online Services / Selected NACA Four-Digit Profiles / Beaufort Scale
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
About the Author