SWEDEN YACHT 45 finishing ARC 2006 ..... & during installation - Note 30 inch/75 cm. offset

50% of ARC particpants with Hydrovanes had off centre installations!!

OFF CENTRE - No Problem!
PLATFORM/STEP TRANSOMS - SWIM LADDERS

The Hydrovane will make platform/steps much more usable - as it can be offset to one side to preserve the platform/steps, passageway and swim ladder - the shaft and brackets can be configured to enhance the platform – not obstruct it…….as those 2 inch. (5 cm.) tubes double as ideal handholds – finally easy to board and de-board your dinghy.

If your boat is big and/or fast (about 50'/15m and readily achieves 8 knots or more) we should talk about limitations.

POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS FOR SERVO PENDULUM SYSTEMS - BUT NOT AN ISSUE FOR AUXILIARY RUDDER SYSTEMS - We often hear concern about off centre installations probably because this issue is so critical for the servo pendulum type systems. If their blade/paddle lifts out of the water the boat could instantaneously 'spin out'......imagine that in a storm! An auxiliary rudder system has neither the likelihood of its rudder popping out of the water and even if it did not much would happen because:

• Even if it it did lift out of the water, which would last for only a few seconds, the boat should hold course as the main rudder is locked 'on course' - preventing any 'spin out'. 
  
  

• The rudder is longer, reaching much deeper in the water 
  
  

• The rudder does not swing from side to side like the servo systems
  
  

• We have provided off centre installations for 40 years
  
  
  
  

The only performance issue of the offset for the Hydrovane is if the rudder is deep enough in the water in order to do its work. When reaching or going downwind the boat is never heeling much and the Hydrovane rudder is deep in the water regardless of which tack it is on. Only when heading upwind and heeling substantially might the rudder, if on the weather side, be largely out of the water - and even then it probably does not matter much as that is the easiest point of sail for steering. If need be the entire unit can always be set deeper in the water to accommodate such situations. Because the Hydrovane has a longer rudder than any other system it is even less likely to have any such problem. 

See the Wauquiez 40 report in the TRUE STORIES section. His unit is 30 inches (75 cm.) offset and he raves about its performance.

For slower cruising multihulls it does not really matter where the hydrovane is located. A 50 ft. (15 m.) catamaran with its Hydrovane on the end of one pontoon reports performance even far better than he had hoped.

WAUQUIEZ PS 40 - see TRUE STORIES tab for performance report
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Simple to use but sophisticated in capability:

VARIABLE AXIS - Adjusts Sensitivity

RATIO CONTROL - Settings for Power

STRAIGHTENING THE WAKE AND REDUCING YAW – Only HYDROVANE can adjust its sensitivity and the amount of rudder applied to control the timing and amount of steerage applied to course changes. The result is that a HYDROVANE can straighten its wake in a calm sea and greatly reduce yaw in a heavy sea. This means more comfortable, faster and safer passages.

There are two tools for adjusting the sensitivity and power of the HYDROVANE:

1. VARIABLE AXIS - Vane Angle Controls Sensitivity

Incline the vane to desensitize it. No other system can do this: CHANGE ITS AXIS. This is a technical issue that needs explaining:

It is not so much the change of the angle of the vane - most systems can do that - but when inclining the HYDROVANE vane its axis is also changed. The axis is at the point of linkage that connects the vane to the steering mechanism. Changing the axis changes the physics of the impulse delivered to the rudder. A major development in self steering occured when systems adopted a compromise between the power and sensistivity of the horizontal axis and the tempered vertical axis. Most other systems have now chosen a fixed axis of about 20 degrees off the horizontal - a compromise. Only HYDROVANE has a variable axis that can be adjusted between perfectly horizontal (when the vane is vertical) and up to 30 degrees off that.

• Vertical or zero degrees for light airs - most power, most sensitive
• Fully inclined to 30 degrees - for heavy weather, least sensitive, very tempered
• Normal setting – 15 to 20 degrees

VANE AXIS ADJUSTMENT
To reduce power and sensitivity simply loosen the clamping knob
and lift the balance weight to tilt the vane axis.

Vane Angle Settings to Control Sensitivity - If the Hydrovane is responding too slowly, under steering, then finally catching up by over steering, you may raise the vane – make it more responsive by putting it in the vertical position. Conversely, if the vessel is over-steering with each correction being too dramatic, then de-sensitize/de-power the vane by further inclining it.

ONLY HYDROVANE CAN CHANGE ITS AXIS/SENSITIVITY - The HYDROVANE is not finicky. As just mentioned, many owners leave their vane and ratio knob at the same setting for most conditions. The degree of tuning is personal taste. All the other major brands have either no such tuning capability or at best can make only minor adjustments. Some can change the angle of their vanes but none can change the axis angle. All other brands have fixed axis – generally 20 degrees. Only HYDROVANE can change that axis angle – hence change the vane’s sensitivity/power.

2. RATIO CONTROL - Settings to Control Power and Rudder Angle

Three settings for the ratio control knob for different amounts of power and rudder angle:

1. Left - 15 degrees rudder - 1:3 power – most power, preferred by bigger boats
2. Middle - 30 degrees rudder - 1:2 power -normal setting
3. Right - 45 degrees rudder - 1:1 power – least power, most steerage - for slower speeds in heavy or light weather
4. Far right - neutral

 
NICHOLSON 47

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REMOTE COURSE SETTING

REMOTE COURSE SETTING – Its purpose is to change/set the course. It moves the entire upper section that holds the vane to put the leading edge of the vane into the wind – as if ‘in irons’. On the desired course the vane must be positioned ‘in irons’. To do so there is a line that is set-up like a clothesline – an endless loop - somewhere handy to the cockpit – usually attached by a bungy chord somewhere in the lifelines. A little pull on that line moves the vane a tiny bit. Three or four full arms length pulls would tack the boat. The worm gear is wonderful – no need to tie off or lock anything – just pull the line and leave it. We have yet to provide a replacement part for this system – another unbreakable feature.

Nicholson 45 - Remote Course Setting Line

MANUAL COURSE SETTING – This is a basic mechanism – loosen the locking knob ('Course Clamp'), muscle the vane to the desired heading and tighten the knob. One can imagine going through this exercise in the middle of a bad night – and just at the wrong time being thrown by the motion…… “Now what course were we on?” For the extra cost the remote course setting is well worth it.

VXA2 - Remote Course Setting (worm gear) ~ VXA1 - Manual Course Setting

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TWO RUDDERS

TWO RUDDERS - The combined effect of two rudders working together is perhaps the most significant advantage of a separate auxiliary rudder system. For downwind sailing in particular, the main rudder can provide the greatest yaw resistance only if it is fixed. To this natural stability the nimble HYDROVANE rudder is tempered to the conditions resulting in yet further yaw damping - which means a more comfortable ride, a straighter course and less potential to lose control in bad seas and risk: broaches, crash gibes and knock-downs.

NEARLY INDESTRUCTIBLE - The rudder is manufactured in solid cast nylon – perhaps the largest single piece of nylon that one may see in a lifetime. With over 20 years of history these rudders have proven to be nearly indestructible. We have yet to see one of our rudders damaged from hitting a submerged obstacle. We believe that on such impact the rudder flexes, bends to absorb the blow then merely fends off the intruder - often unbekownst to watchkeepers and leaving little trace - maybe a scratch but never a gouge - the nylon is so tough ... and flexible.

Avoids Snagging Commercial Fishing Gear - Neither do we hear of the rudder being fouled by commercial fish nets or lines - because:

• Tapered shape - helps line slip off
• Flexibility - rudder bends under load helping such gear to slip free
• Not very vulnerable with hull and keel in front acting as protective barrier
  
  

Easy Removal - The rudder is designed for easy removal with a quick release pin that is easily ‘popped out’ with a boat hook. A tether must be kept on the rudder at all times. 

RUDDERS - all solid poured/cast nylon

1. Original (short - 950 mm./37.5") - 1980 to 2005 - 8 kg. (17.6 lbs.)
2. First longer version - 1105 mm./43.5" - 2006 to 2009 - 8.5 kg. (18.7 lbs.)
3. Latest July 2009 onward - 10.5 kg. (23.1 lbs.) - 25% heavier ... maybe 50% more power
   
   

OUR RUDDER – For nearly 30 years the rudder has been made of solid nylon poured into a mould. Other than a few manufacturer’s defects the rudder has proven to be unbreakable – an enormous virtue. Over the years various improvements have been made – lately getting larger and thicker. Customers/owners are typically so happy with their rudders - having little interest in upgrading to the newer and larger versions. In 2006 the length was increased by 5.5 inches/14 cm. In June 2009 it got thicker by adding 5 lbs./2.3 kgs. – now weighs 23 lbs./10.5 kgs. The improvements are designed for bigger and faster boats producing more power with less force required to control it. For smaller boats and big high speed boats we shorten the rudders - not needing the extra power or optimizing performance.

The latest version has been named the ‘TH’ – a tribute to our ‘in house engineer’, Ted Hargreaves. Ted inspired the upgrade based on his aeronautical experience with foils. After the first test Ted reported that it is 'scary' as it was so much more powerful but so light to the touch - easy to control - couldn't believe that it could be that good without stability issues. Now we know that it is not 'scary' at all - but very stable. It is a vast improvement. We strongly recommend the upgrade for any owners with older versions of the rudder who would like the extra power.

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EMERGENCY STEERING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT! HYDROVANE IS A TRUE SECOND STEERING SYSTEM  'IN PLACE' AND 'READY TO GO' 

With a Hydrovane your boat will have two complete steering systems. The term 'Emergency Steering' implies some sort of back-up or temporary steering. The HYDROVANE is much more than that. It is a full time, 'in place' steering system - capable of completing a circumnavigation without any need for maintenance or repairs - as is!

It is impossible to over-estimate the value of back-up steering on a long passage.

"Second only to the importance of keeping the boat afloat is the importance of having steerage."



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MANUAL STEERING WITH THE HYDROVANE

With the vane disengaged (ratio control in the right hand setting) the Hydrovane rudder can be steered directly with its own tiller. The Hydrovane's rudder and tiller is just like that on any dinghy sailing boat. Some single-handers connect a dinghy type of tiller to Hydrovane's small tiller to make an extension that can comfortably be used some distance away in the cockpit. This kind of set-up is practical if you want to use the Hydrovane to hand steer in close quarters or wherever. Some find it to be a wonderful improvement for those tight turns in a marina - see below. This technique is only for some. When entering a harbour or marina most owners simply lock-off the Hydrovane rudder or even remove it by popping out the locking pin with a boat hook and shipping the rudder aboard with its always attached tether.

 

IMPROVED STEERING IN TIGHT MARINAS - If maneouvering in marinas is difficult and you have an extra pair of hands on board you might want to have a crew member manning the Hydrovane tiller to operate it in sync with the main rudder - two rudders are better than one - especially with the Hydrovane rudder in that levered position further aft. Some report this technique has dramatically improved steering in tight quarters.

• Operates just like the tiller and rudder on a sailing dinghy
  
  

• In tight marinas maneouverability improved by using Hydrovane - two rudders are better than one
  
  
  
  

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TILLER AUTOPILOTS

Proven to be a significant feature for many

The Hydrovane is designed to be connected to a tiller style autopilot for use when motoring or when sailing in very light winds with sloppy seas. Because the Hydrovane rudder is relatively small and it is 'balanced' it needs only the smallest of the tiller pilots.

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Tiller style Auto-pilot retro-fits

The installation requires a minor retrofit. A 3/4 in. (2 cm.) wooden dowel can be used to extend the tiller and readily adapted to whichever connection is required by the tiller pilot manufacturer. Although wood is the easiest to work with the extensions have been made from many materials: PVC, plumbing copper, stainless steel etc. The tiller pilot manufacturers typically require an 18 in. (45 cm.) radius which means the extension need be 12 in. (30 cm.) or so. The extension can be held in place with the rudder locking pin. The autopilot itself needs to be fitted nearby - either on the deck or rail or attached to the stern pushpit.

HYDROVANE owners have installed such tiller-pilots report strong preference for them over their expensive below deck autopilots: less noise, not under a bunk, small electrical draw, saves the larger unit for a ‘rainy day’ – and a cheap way to have yet another back-up.

• Tiller style autopilot retrofit is highly recommended - for motoring and sailing in the very light winds with sloppy seas
  
  

• Needs only the least powerful units as the rudder is balanced and relatively small 
  
  

• In its levered position further aft it is efficient and quiet
  
  

• Other self steering systems have variations on such a retro-fit. Only Hydrovane comes complete with a tiller in place that directly steers its own rudder - makes for the easiest to retro-fit ... and most effective .
  
  

Complete steering redundancy is achieved when both steering systems, the main rudder and the HYDROVANE each have separate autopilots.

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HEAVY BOATS

The following photo is an Oyster 55 rated at 25 tons and typically displaces several more tons when loaded up – say 55,000 lbs. (25,000 kg.) – well over our recommended maximum of 40,000 lbs. or 18,000 kg. This boat did a circumnavigation with the Hydrovane steering a respectable portion of the time. Derek Daniels, the Hydrovane inventor took the picture while on a test sail in the Solent. In those relatively calm conditions the Hydrovane handled the boat competently.

The Hydrovane’s steering power diminishes as the size of the boat increases and is challenged at higher boat speeds starting at about 8 knots. Ameliorating or worsening that issue can be the inherent balance of the boat and the sailor’s ability to trim the sails to the conditions. A well experienced self steering user on larger boats tells others that ask about self steering that “before engaging the self steering effort must be made balancing the trim of the boat so that she is practically ‘self steering’ herself. The test is to steer the boat by adjusting the sheets. When in doubt try to ease some sheets and then take the wheel and feel what the self steering would have to deal with. Only when well trimmed should the self steering be engaged.”

We regularly hear positive reports from 25 ton yachts with Hydrovanes……those that were expecting limitations – then pleased with what they do get.

Over the last two years we have done considerable work to exploit the Hydrovane’s capabilities – focused on larger and faster boats. The rudder is now bigger and better balanced and we have recently introduced new improved bearings – critical for higher speeds.

If you have such a bigger boat you can expect the Hydrovane to comfortably control the boat in calmer conditions assuming good sail trim. Performance will diminish as conditions get tougher – meaning more trim and/or reduction of sails and/or running the autopilot in tandem (see separate explanation in the FAQ).

Surprisingly or not the Hydrovane's limitations are based more on boat speed - and less on weight. Slower heavier cruising boats will get enough performance to justify a Hydrovane whereas light fast boats that readily achieve 8 knots are questionable.

If your boat is 'heavy' and your interest in a Hydrovane is because: 1) you are a good sailor who can appreciate the bliss of non electronic self steering and 2) you are aware of Hydrovane’s trump card as a complete emergency steering system ‘in place and ready to go’ – in itself worth the price – then we feel comfortable in encouraging you to get a Hydrovane.

Oyster 55 sailing in the Solent steered by its Hydrovane

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THE WINDVANE

The windvane is a lightweight ripstop nylon fabric stretched over an anodized aluminum tube frame. Its base is a casting that is attached to the steering unit with a quick release knob – easily spun off in a second or so. The attachment incorporates a safety groove to prevent the vane from being lost even if the knob holding it in place has not been fully tightened.

STANDARD VANE ON LEFT AND NEW 'STUBBY' ON RIGHT

Again, breakage is nearly non-existent.

 Ovni 385 with new 'Stubby' Windvane - picture courtesy of Charlie Tait

.......leaving Porto Santo, Madeira Islands - Fall 2005

NEW STUBBY VANE - Over the years the vane has grown in height in order to produce better light air performance. Arches, radar masts, antennas, mizzens etc. can be interfering for those longer vanes. We are now producing, as an alternative, a new ‘stubby’ vane that is 12 in. ( 300 mm) shorter but 8 in. (200 mm) wider. It will produce comparable power and better accommodate aft deck obstacles.

MAXIMIZE WIND EXPOSURE FOR THE VANE - The vane is the source of Hydrovane's power. Technically the stubby has equal power to the standard vane. In reality the height of the top of the vane is critical - there is more wind higher above the water. The standard vane, in some or many conditions will reach stronger wind than the stubby. Nearby aerial equipment is also a factor - such obstructions above deck level will cause an air buffer resulting in some of the wind going up and over it all - slowing the speed and mass of the wind at lower levels - just as the waves do. The conclusion is that the standard vane is a better performer, especially if there are nearby obstructions. The degree of difference in performance might or might not be much to be concerned about - all dependent on those variables: wind strength, wind direction, wave height and mass and proximity of aerial obstructions.

For best performance the vane should be:

1. As high above the water as practical
2. Above or removed from nearby aerial obstructions like biminis, cockpit enclosures, solar panels

Commonly, compromises are made to accommodate arches, solar panels and biminis - generally with good results.


LOGO ON VANE - We do have vane covers without the logo - just ask.

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HYDRAULIC STEERING

With hydraulic steering you do not really lock the main wheel – you simply let go – the hydraulic system will freeze the rudder in that position. Over time there will be a bit of ‘hydraulic creep’ – ever so slowly the rudder will move as hydraulic fluid seeps through its hydraulic motor. That only means that the watchkeeper, from time to time, must give the wheel a little adjustment. We had hydraulic steering on our last boat. I used my big toe to give the wheel a little push now and then.

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MIZZENS

The HYDROVANE is often fitted to boats with mizzens. The technique is to first design the installation so that the HYDROVANE, sans vane, will sit comfortably below the boom. Then the default is to remove the vane before tacking or gibing. There is a quick release knob for that purpose - takes a second or so to spin it free. In some cases the vane can be maneuvered so that the boom can clear the entire unit. Each owner develops their own technique.

When in use a ‘preventer’ on the boom is the rule.

For quick stowage of the vane a good idea is to make a big pocket in the lifelines.

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MULTIHULLS

All the benefits of a HYDROVANE can be enjoyed by a cruising multihull (not high speed performance boats - speeds over 10-12 knots can cause limitations):

• Ease of use
  

• Competent in all conditions (subject to speed limitations)
  

• Complete back-up steering system
  

• Enormous reliability 
  
  

MODERN PERFORMANCE CATS - The newer, lighter and larger cats can have performance issues:

• Rapid acceleration & decceleration - constantly changing 'boat balance' in regards to course to the apparent wind - changes in apparent wind direction requires a Hydrovane course adjustment ...... well, some tweaking of the course setting line
• Weak apparent wind - There is an ideal reaching condition in lighter airs when the boat can move as fast as the wind is blowing but leaving little apparent wind to power the Hydrovane.
• High Superstructure - need to get the vane as high as possible - to reach above the cabin top where the good wind is
• Leeway - Depending on the relative weight of the boats and the amount of keel structure, some multihulls have considerable 'leeway' or sideways drift - results in 'dirty water' for the Hydrovane. Dirty water refers to the flow of water on the Hydrovane rudder - must be in the normal fore and aft direction - parallel to the centerline of the boat.

OFFSET INSTALLATIONS - Reports of offset installations are mixed - again the older heavier boats have no problems. The issue, we believe, is 'dirty water' caused by either the wake from the nearby hull or leeway. Our conclusion is more tempered on the offset - recommend amidships location for all 'modern' cats.

Lexline 49 - Dutch Catamaran - "Hydrovane performed way beyond expectations!"

BACK-UP RUDDER - Perhaps mutihulls have even more vulnerability to rudder failure than monohulls because their rudders are unprotected and unsupported – usually simple spade rudders lacking a protective keel or anything like a skeg or bottom support - even if well built, not nearly as strong as Hydrovane's solid nylon rudder. Hence having a separate independent rudder and steering system should be of enormous value.

OVER THE TOP!

Today’s HYDROVANE retains many features tested during more than 40 years of ocean voyaging. The initial concept was to achieve a better system than the then standard servo pendulums. The variable ratio linkage was the first important development. Major improvements like the ‘adjustable vane axis’, ‘precise course setting’ and the vane and rudder construction combine to make the HYDROVANE more versatile and reliable than any other system. Its ultimate virtue as an emergency backup steering system puts it ‘over the top’!

'EMERGENCY STEERING' IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT!

HYDROVANE is a true second steering system - 'IN PLACE' and 'READY TO GO' 

IT JUST WORKS

Typically first time users marvel that when put into gear that it ‘just works’. No tedious teething or tuning needed.

NATURALLY STABLE

With the main rudder locked in a position that eliminates weather helm the boat becomes naturally stable.

CONFIDENCE

A HYDROVANE  on your boat will make short handed sailing so much easier, the vessel's motion will be greatly improved and your confidence in your yacht and equipment will be significantly enhanced.

MULTIHULLS

Hydrovanes have been positioned almost everywhere on cruising multihulls - way off centre - even at the extremity, at the end of a pontoon on a 50 foot (18 m.) catamaran - with glowing reports.

SOPHISTICATED

With ease, HYDROVANE gives a more comfortable ride:

• Straighter course – faster
• Calmer – less yaw
• …safer!

TRIED & PROVEN

Just as diesel engines have not replaced sails as the best method of crossing an ocean - autopilots cannot beat the quiet reliabilty of mechanical self steering on ocean passages.

YOUR BEST CREW

No matter how 'improved' autopilots become mechanical self steering for an offshore cruiser will always be the primary workhorse of the extended passage. It is your best crew: tireless, dependable and quiet...and it requires no electricity.