sounds silly but this is the first time someone explained it the way I was looking for.

@clauspetersen8064

3 жыл бұрын

wind vane contra autopilot. A combination of wind rudder and autopilot is by far the best and most economical both in terms of price and durability. I used the smallest Autohelm 800 which in connection with wind plate fully controlled the course of the boat. My wind rudder is an Aries that works in the same way as almost all other wind rudders

@DefaultUser61

Жыл бұрын

Same

As always, it's nice to have both. I did a good few years with just a vane gear....but eventually got an autopilot. Thing with an autopilot, it uses a LOT of electricity.....so best when you are under power....which of course is when the vane gear will not work. Ocean sailing is not always 'sailing'. In 1981, the year of the first El Nino....I left Cabo San Lucas for the Marquesas...a classic Trade Wind route. The wind quit about 3degrees North and we motored the rest of the way. (55' Herreshoff schooner, with a 1800 mile range under power.) It was VERY nice to have the autopilot then.

Nick, you are spot on with simple and easy to understand explanations. Less is more. Thanks Mate! Cheers from Flowood, Mississippi USA!

Excellent comparison, Nick. A couple of points that I would add in regards to vane steering. The first is that not only are they far, far more reliable than autopilots, but should something break, you can actually fix it, usually without having to order parts from half a world away. The other is that in general, vanes do poorly in light winds. You can rig a tiller pilot to replace the actual wind vane, but on some units like our Monitor (uses lines to the wheel instead of an auxiliary rudder) , unless the boat speed is at least 2 3/4 kts, the paddle in the water just doesn't have enough force to turn the wheel. One last comment on rigging a tiller pilot to the vane steering is that it is a cheap backup should your electronic autopilot fail. On our last boat, we made it all the way down to Panama using that setup. In conclusion, people should understand that vane steering and electronic autopilots don't compete with each other, they complement each other. In areas where one is weak the other is strong and vice versa.

@sailingrubyrose

6 жыл бұрын

Very good points my friend. Good to hear from long term cruisers with the sea miles to back up their experiences

Great stuff as always Nick. I love there segments. Maybe in the future you can do one that shows the process of actually getting the set self steer tuned to the course you want. I, for one, would be very interested in a short course on how to use and maintain a self steer. Are there certain maintenance tasks that have to be done to keep it working well? How do you choose the right one for your boat? Are there different sizes or is it one size fits all? Would all be interesting for me at least if you wanted to do it. Thanks for the great entertainment and knowledge you share. I always look forward to your next video. Take care.

Nick, well done! Best presentation I have see explaining the benefits and limits of each system. I have two auto pilots and a Monitor wind vain and use them as you brilliantly described.

The autopilot won't keep the sails in trim, the wind vane won't keep you on course when the wind (or tide) changes and just lashing the wheel won't do either, but will allow you to rest while the boat goes more or less in the right direction. So probably best is a wind vane with a course plotter that gives an audible warning when you go off course, so you can reset the wind vane and trim the sails.

You guys are the best, I’m learning so much from you both. Hopefully you are both still around by the time I get my ass around the world. Cheers

Excellent, really helpful. Thank you. I now get why self steer devices exist - other than as a “no power needed” option. Lots to think about... Another terrific techie Tuesday episode 😊

That was a great explanation! Loving the technical Tuesday videos

Great explanation into your reasoning for having both. Thanks, Nick!

Great explanation. I agree. My new boat has wind vane on each hull and I'll have a CPT autopilot as well. Good points all.

I have a Sea Feather windvane on my Rival 32 and I love it. I have a tiller pilot as back up or just for use close to land as I sail solo. Great video guys. Andy UK

very differential explanation of pro and cons about Auto Pilots! Thank You!

Thanks for the informative video. We had a Raymarine st 60 system with hydraulic steering and that was noisy af. It did do steer by wind angle. The newer Raymarine systems with the gyroscope s can usually make the boat go faster than anyone hand steering. Very few wind vane steering systems act as a second rudder, most connect to the existing steering.

clarified several things for us THANK YOU !!

Thanks mate for all the info, very clarifying.

Awesome ! I'm a Power Boater but I like learning stuff like this about other types of boats and gear

Thanks for the information. Really enjoy the tec. videos. They provide a real persons experience rather than the information gleaned from reading promotional sources that are just trying to sell you something. Thanks again!

@sailingrubyrose

6 жыл бұрын

Cheers mate

GREAT editing, new music. Polishing the Owl really helps!

Great video Nick! Very informative; always look forward to the next one!

Absolutely clear, concise and understandable. (Spoken quickly) As expected we only get the best from Ruby Rose and her crew. Thank you!

clever bugger learnt alot as per usual, nice to see you have got UK weather over there

Good yet simple analysis. Thanks.

Lots of great info and tips!

brilliant....best explanation i have seen versus the two , cheers

Fantastic comparison. Very helpful in understanding the difference between the two.

Brilliant explanation thanks for posting

Excellent review by Nick. I have learnt that wind vane steering is a bit iffy upwind which is a surprise as I had thought it was the other way round. However it might mean I'll spend a bit longer waiting for a weather window and probably enjoy passages a bit more.

Outstanding. We are evaluating both gear and crew competencies for an extended sail next summer. Much appreciate this. You regularly offer such wonderful insights based on your experience short handing over distance. Fair winds.

Thanks for demystifying the selfsteer!

Brilliant description!

Thank you Nick, I have always wanted a self steer but I have a sugar scoop transom, bimini and plan on putting in a solar tower/dinghy davits. After watching your video and seeing you can offset the wind vane I am going to look into maybe making some kind of swing away bracket to hold a wind vane. It might not look to pretty but if it works that would be the important part. I have two complete auto pilots and an extra computer ... can't be too careful as a single sailor. I really enjoy watching your tech Tuesday videos as much as your cooking and regular vids.

@romanskriecka1097

6 жыл бұрын

This Boreal 44 does have fold away mount steering vane: www.sailfeed.com/2017/02/used-boreal-44-for-sale-rc-louise-is-up-for-grabs-2/

Well done Nick easy to understand and insightful!!

I appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge. Well done.

Concise, perfect explanation of both… Cheers!

Real world experience and practical advice - nicely done!

Hello Nik, great video and a good explanation of both units. Now I have a strong idea of how they work . Keep the tech. Tuesday coming.

Very informative. Thanks!

Great job. Really appreciate it!

Great video. Many thanks. I would say most cruisers need both.

HI Nick, Excellent as usual!! Anyway another point for the Hydrovane and Windpilot Pacific plus ( which I have used offshore) is the fact that you lock down your wheel (maybe with a slight adjustment) and let the vane rudder steer. This means no wear and tear on your quadrant or cables.. As you say I would not go offshore without one..Hand steering is not fun especially alone. As for heaving too as someone suggested. Fine if the current and wind is with you. If you are against it you can lose significant distance due to drift.. Hope you make it to Denmark... I will spring for a beer or 3!!

Great info, Nick. Perfect explanation of the pros & cons for a rookie sailor (me) to understand. Thank you. Shane, S/V Genesis-Port Canaveral, FL.

Thanks for posting. An emergency rudder, yes. Offshore losing 100% of steering makes McGyver and the Three Stooges smile. Nicely shot video.

The clearest explanation I've seen. Thanks. For a 32ft monohull what brands of autopilot & hydrovane should I look at and their approx costs?

I like it. I’m ready to start sailing.

Just joined your channel and loving it! great job and keep it coming.

Great information Nick, thank you!

Thanks for sharing and being so thorough. I wondered why I never saw self-steer on larger boats. 😊⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵😊👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

@abbbee8918

6 жыл бұрын

You must still be wondering because he didn't explain, except to say they were less effective.

@Jayellbee

6 жыл бұрын

That's all the explanation needed unless you have something to add. Above 50' boats, they are not effective. The boat is too big.

Great information once again. Thanks for putting together this little video.

Very helpful thanks!

Thankyou for this clear and concise explaination of the difference between electonic and mechanical auto steering. I recently purchased a 38' steel hulled sloop with these two features and was uncertain as to their reliabilty and function. I am learning as I go and your instructional videos are fantastic for a novice such as me. Keep them coming, they are great.

@sailingrubyrose

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers mate, glad to be of help

@garyhughes4326

3 жыл бұрын

@@sailingrubyrose Wow, that was a quick response. Thankyou for the reply. My boat is moored in Lake Macquarie (NSW Australia) about a ten minute drive from my home. She is a fixer upper and I am enjoying the job of getting her ship shape. As I work my way through the boat am becoming more and more familiar with her idiosyncracies which I imagine are inherent in each and every vessel. I trust that you are both well and enjoying yourselves out there wherever you are at the moment, where is that by the way? Regards from Gary

yes this is a very helpful video, I bought one because you have such high regard for hydro vain. I know it's just your opinion but I believe very strongly on your thoughts about the working of the boat and sailing that I can trust. thanks

Great video, thanks for the info Nick..

Great video, helped a lot. Thanks.

Terrific video! Extremely useful. Any chance you might do a future video where you cover the specifics of how to "calibrate" it with the offsets?

Very well explained, thank you..

Concise and informative.

love tec tuesday! thanks.

I've noticed many cruisers have named their wind wane and consider them an invaluable crew member. Another informative video. Fair winds!

Outstanding commentary on pros and cons of both.

Good info, thank you

Very well explained, Nick. Thanks!

Very well explained! Thank you, subbed.

Loved the info thanks

Very informative, thank you so much It's good to to learn

Great video. Thank you Nick :)

You two are the best.

Excellent overview of self steer and autopilot. Very useful, particularly for novices.

Thanks Nick , very informative. I'm sure many people considering a self steering system. Enjoy the crquie of a actual user. More than the sale pitch, you get from the dealers. Keep up the good work, Say hi to tyresa for me. Fair winds.

I agree with your assessment. This is how I see the Piloting situation as well as any situation. PACE= Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency. For Steering it is as follows, I have a catamaran. P= 1st Autopilot/ Hydraulic Steering A= 2nd AutoPilot/ Hydraulic Steering C= Hand Steering E= Hand Steering and hand held GPS. I realize a Cat vs a Mono is different and I really wish we had a Wind Vane for Cats. Wind Vanes are amazing as they are simple mechanical systems that are easy to understand and repair at sea. Love your videos please keep it up and I will see you on the water or on KZread. By the way I wish you would curse more, makes it realistic.

Great explanation, thank you.

Good stuff mate

Well done, as always! 👍👍⛵🌹⛵👍👍

Excellent summary! Thanks so much and safe travels!! 😎🧜‍♂️🧜‍♀️

Great presentation. Thanks

Great video Nick. I’m not sure what happened to the caterpillar that was living on your lip? But I’m pretty sure Pe’pe (or whatever you named him) will be widely mourned. That “dodgy mustache” I felt was finally a real turning point for your channel. I hope this video was prerecorded and Pe’pe not only is still alive but will become a permanent crew member.

@lwhite6369

6 жыл бұрын

Hilarious!

great video as always !!!

Two points: with self steering, if the wind shifts 90 degrees, you will have an unexpected course change. Second, in 1984 sailing a Bowman 47 yawl across the pond, bottom half of Hydrovave rudder sheared off. The two of us hand steered for 15 days. Not sure of age of that unit, old GFR tech for certain but point is anything can break. Well spoken. Thank you.

excellent discussion of the differences.

@sailingrubyrose

3 жыл бұрын

Cheers mate

Very interesting subject, enjoyed the pro's & cons as highlighted of both. Thanks.

Great explanation. Loved it. Thumb up!

@sailingrubyrose

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped mate

The best autopilots will steer to a wind angle as well as a self steer. In addition, with properly trimmed sails on a boat that balances well, the autopilot should have to work very little, certainly less than 5 amps per hour. They do break to often, on that I do agree. We have replaced two of them in 'exotic' places over a 8 year period. Fitting a self steer to our transom is a complex and expensive proposition so that does have to be a consideration when considering what to do. Good info that you have provided.

Electronic autohelm can also steer to an apparent wind angle

Presumably the auto pilot works when motor sailing, or just motoring, so that is a difference/advantage. Also what range of wind strength can you use the self steer, I could imagine that a reasonable strength is required to move the rudder. Thanks for putting out the vids, you have a particularly organised and clear way of communicating.

Thank you for the useful information...

Awesome , very complete

Awesome video, love the intro too btw. Thanks for the great explanation of both systems, very helpful. I don't understand why the engineers who build the APs don't sound proof them better. Seems like such a obvious thing.

Preliked. Watch later 👍

Technical Tuesday ... very similar to the name my family gave my dad.. (obviously ironically) he is death to anything electronic. Been binge watching your channel.. after recently finding it.. your both entertaining, an are living my day dream. You couple of lucky B@stards !

Great video, I was interested in the differences and advantages. Thanks.

thanks for the repl love the vid

A good video, we don’t have a self steer because we have an open transom and our boat is 60ft. We do have two completely separate auto pilots to allow for failure and a whole bunch of solar and two wind turbines to allow to power consumption. What we like is that our auto helm can be changed from our iPad so in theory you could run the boat from inside the cabin or your bed, especially with a Flir camera. We have never done this but in theory it is do able.

Excellent!!!

Really enjoying the Tech Tuesdays Nick, presume only the autopilot will work when there is no wind!

Great video Sir. Informative as always.

Great explanation!

@sailingrubyrose

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you kind sir

Nick, another exceptional review my Friend! I am addicted to your channel because of all the great content but also enjoy the humor as well! Thanks to you and Therysa for all the superb videos! Hopefully you two will be at the Annapolis Boat Show. I hear the Sailing Doodles (Bobby White & Laura) might be there also. Looking forward to seeing you there if you can make it.

great info thanks

Great presentation. Power consumption is the principle difference to be sure. But with a generator, charging batteries is just part of making water and making hot water. Linear drives need maintenance, many are ignored to the point of failure. I also carry spares; linear drive, rudder position sensor.