Hydrovane Selfsteer Gear

PARTS

To all HYDROVANE owners:

  • TIPS - Please visit the TIPS section (under the INSTRUCTIONS tab) - you might find something that you did not know - or you could have an idea for a 'tip' that we should include - if so, please pass it along.
  • PHOTOS & VIDEOS - John or Will would be so happy to receive a picture of your HYDROVANE installation and/or any action or people shots that include the Hydrovane. Video footage would put us over the top!
  • INSTALLERS - We would like the co-ordinates of any boatyards or installers with experience with HYDROVANES. We are often asked for such. We will display them on our LINKS section.
  • UPGRADES FOR BIGGER OR FASTER BOATS - Recent improvements in the 1) Rudder, 2) Shaft 3) Con Rod/Bobbin and 4) bearings are BIG! If your boat is over 40' you could get significant improvement in your Hydrovane's performance with these upgrades - described below.

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NEW ITEMS - SPARES - REPLACEMENTS - UPGRADES

Note - Prices provided do not include VAT or any other taxes



NEW ITEMS

RUDDER

Introduced July 2009

"Biggest improvement in performance in 30 years"

"... 50% more power & easier to control ..."

In 2006 the rudder length was increased - added about 20% more power. In July 2009 we changed the rudder again:

  • Making it thicker (24% more material)
  • Higher lift coefficent - maybe 50% more power
  • Better balance - light to the touch - easier to control

IMPROVED SHAFT RECOMMENDED - To support this rudder one of the new stronger 1 1/4" 'Super Duplex' shafts (standard since January 2009) is a must ... and the new bearings, especially the new Mid Bearing.

We feel that this new rudder is the most significant improvement in the performance of the Hydrovane since the Variable Axis was invented in 1980.

Price - See PRICES page for current pricing

_ _ _ _
Rudders - short one late 70's to 2006, next or left tall one 2006 to Spring 2009, furthest back since July 2009

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FRAME CASE WITH LED STERN LIGHT
Introduced Late 2009

_ _

Ideal location for a stern light - on the Hydrovane cover (Frame Case)

  • Higher than the usual positions

  • Clear sight line aft - no obstructions

  • LED light rated at 3NM - burns only 1.5W or 0.1amps

  • New white Frame Case designed with a vertical face - points light dead aft

  • Simple 2 wire 12V DC wiring

    PRICE - GBP 100, Euro 125, US$ 175, C$175

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BOBBIN & CON ROD ASSEMBLY

Introduced in Spring 2010

 

  • Virtually unbreakable (33X stronger than the old version)
  • Provides a 'tighter', more controlled movement.

 

_ _

Left - new version with Con Rod fitted directly into the Bobbin .....Right - old version with elbow connection

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TIMBER PADS

made from Iroko or African Teak

‘Timber Pads’ – are spacers shaped to pick up the difference in contour between the flat flange of the Hydrovane bracket and the curve of the hull at the point the bracket is attached. The Hydrovane flange must be bolted to a perfectly flat surface.

The Timber Pads we offer are made of an African wood that is very similar to teak – called Iroko or commonly called African Teak. The color of Iroko is initially yellowish but darkens to a richer brown over time. The wood is used for a variety of purposes including boat-building, domestic flooring and furniture. It is a very durable wood. Iroko does not require regular treatment with oil or varnish when used outdoors.





Timber pads for the 'H', 'E' and 'A' bracket flanges - pads are slightly oversized with a radius/bullnose edge

PRICE EACH - GBP 25, Euro 34, US$ 43, C$ 43


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DRIVE UNIT COVER


Made of heavy duty Sunbrella - 2 colours in stock: 'Captain Navy' & the lighter 'Pacific Blue'

PRICE - GBP 95, Euro 119, US$ 166, C$166
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SPARES - PRICE LIST

Note - Prices provided do not include VAT or any other taxes


PART #

GBP£

EURO€

US$

CDN$

PINS

60, 61, 62

10

12

17

17

VANE COVER

76

67

83

117

117

DRIVE UNIT COVER

95

119

166

166

TILLER

23

24

30

42

42

RATIO KNOB, BOLT & SPRING

21

10

12

17

17

CON ROD, BOBBIN, BALL ASSEMBLY

3,63,57

97

122

170

170

FRAME CASE

79, 2

29

36

51

51

FRAME CASE & LED

79

100

125

175

175

TIMBER PADS

25

31

43

43

OFFSHORE SPARES KIT

VANE COVER

76

2 PINS

60, 61, 62

DRIVE SLEEVE

19

BOTTOM BEARING

25

BOTTOM COLLAR

26

TOTAL

115

144

201

201

REFURBISH PARTS KIT  (advise of age and model of unit when ordering)

SHAFT RACE COLLAR

27

NYLON BALL BEARINGS - 19

31

TOP BEARING

24

MID BEARING (for 1 1/4" shaft)

24B

BOTTOM BEARING

25

BOTTOM COLLAR

26

DRIVE SLEEVE

19

KNOBS - 2

32, 33

TOTAL

83

104

145

145






LOCKING PINS
- We now have a much improved 'locking pin' (since 2005) - the pin that is used in three different locations. Each unit has 3 locking pins - all the same size and interchangeable. All should have tethers to prevent them from falling overboard:

  1. #62 - Rudder Lock Pin - suffers from metal fatigue over time - recommend regular replacement and/or rotation with the other pins
  2. #61 - Shaft Lock Pin
  3. #60 - Vane Lock Pin

The pin has a rigid welded ring at the end - ideal for using a boat hook to 'pop' out the rudder lock pin. The spare pin comes complete with a nylon lanyard and an 'R' pin - so that the rudder lock pin can be held secure.

Hydrovane Selfsteer Gear

VANE COVERS - The vane cover could last several years in the tropics - depending on the amount of exposure to the sun - best to stow when not in use.

Now available in navy as well as the traditional Hydrovane red - maybe the only safety colour on the deck of your boat. The silk screened 'HYDROVANE' lettering is standard but we can provide plain covers without the lettering - just ask.

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

 

Hydrovane Selfsteer Gear _ Hydrovane Selfsteer Gear

    Ovni 385 (left) and Ovni 435 (right) - both with 'Stubby' vane

  • the 385 photo courtesy of Charlie Tait....leaving Porto Santo, Madeira Islands - Fall 2005

  • the 435 photo courtesy Rory Edwards

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NEW BOTTOM COLLAR - We think we have solved the problem of the cracking plastic Bottom Collar and worry that the aluminum version will not stand up well over time. The latest is made of PET - a tough plastic - and has two set screws to better fix its position. After all it is only a spacer - no other function - positioned to help locate the right height for the rudder - so the locking pin is easy to insert.


NEW
BEARINGS - In 2008 we made two big changes to the bearings:

  1. NEW MID BEARING - We discovered that, at speed, the shaft could flex a bit to cause the bottom bearing to crimp and stick - not long enough to be noticeable, unless you are watching for it. The new Mid Bearing made of PTFE solves the sticking - a definite improvement - especially for faster boats with longer shafts.
  2. PTFE BOTTOM BEARING - In 2008 we switched to a white PTFE material for the Bottom Bearing - superior bearing material to the prior black Delrin/Acetal version. In 2010 we made it a 'glass filled' PTFE - a bit tougher.


Typically, only the Bottom Bearing wears enough to merit replacement - but when making the switch it is an ideal time to replace/upgrade all 3 bearings.


We recommend a bearing upgrade.


For instructions on changing the bearings see #12 - 'Bearings - Replace Rudder Shaft Bearings' under the INSTRUCTIONS tab.

When ordering bearings it is helpful for us to know the vintage of your equipment. If you can measure the Inside Diameter (ID) of the outer tube - here is a helpful guide:

  • Pre 2002
    • 1 1/8” (28.575 mm.) shaft - tube is 46.8mm ID
    • 1 ¼” shaft (31.75 mm.) - tube is 44.4mm ID
  • Post 2002 - all shafts are 1 1/4" (31.75 mm.) – tube is machined to 46mm ID

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OLDER UNITS - For older units the most likely items for replacement or upgrade are:

  1. Part #25 Shaft Bottom Bearing - best get the full 'Bearing Kit' - Part #s 24, 24M & 25 - Top, Mid & Bottom Bearings - See comments above about the Mid Bearing and new (2008) PTFE Bearings
  2. Part #26 Bottom Collar made of PET, a tougher plastic, with 2 set screws to better keep it fixed in position - included in the 'Offshore Spares Kit'
  3. Part #19 Drive Sleeve (it also can be 'end for ended' to double its life - it develops wear grooves - see INSTRUCTIONS - #14) - included in the 'Offshore Spares Kit'
  4. Part #s 32 and 33 - Vane & Axis Knobs - new version, since 2005, is far tougher and improved with a nyloc nut to prevent the knobs from spinning off (a problem with the old knobs) - included in the 'Offshore Spares Kit' - but need a slightly longer bolt to accommodate the nyloc nut
  5. Part #29 - Shaft - now standard (since January 2009 or so) is a 'super duplex' steel shaft - nearly three times as strong as the old '316 version!! - but only for the 1 1/4" diameter shafts. This shaft is a 'must' for the new rudder. To determine which shaft you have look at the bottom: the old '316' version has a rounded radius at the bottom. The new 'super duplex' ones have a straight 15 degree taper.
  6. Part #74 - Lead Weights - For models post 1986 - In 2006 or so we switched to an improved weight set - one side much heavier. For improved light air performance consider an upgrade.

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For PARTS orders contact:

Valerie - valerie@hydrovane.com or Will - will@hydrovane.com

For technical questions contact:

Will - will@hydrovane.com or John - john@hydrovane.com

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PARTS LIST

MODEL VXA 2 (worm drive - remote course setting)

MODEL VXA 1 (simple - clamp style course setting)

Part
No.

Description

Part
No.

Description

1

Axle Sleeve

p8

44

Heading Tube Screw

s1

2

Case Screw

p2

45

Ratio Screw

s2

3

Bobbin

p1

46

Shaft Collar Screw

s1

4

Vane Slot Collar

p1

47

Axle

s8

5

Vane Slot Peg

p1

48

Tilt Stop Stud

s1

6

Vane Slot Sleeve

p2

49

Con-rod Bolt Set

s1

7

Vane Pin Sleeve

p1

50

Bobbin Bolt Set

s1

8

Vane Axis Disc

p1

51

Heading Collar Screw

s1

9

Vane Axis Washer

p1

52

Weight Arm Bolt Set

s2

10

Tilt Bolt Sleeve

p1

53

Weight Bolt Set

s1

11

Tilt Bolt Washer

p1

54

Top Frame Stud Set

s2

12

Tilt Bolt Cover

p1

55

Shaft Bolt Set

s2

13

Heading Clamp Spacer

p1

56

Ratio Bolt/Spring Set

s1

14

Top Bearing

p1

57

Ball Screw Set

s1

15

Bottom Bearing

p1

58

Fork Bolt Set

s1

16

Heading Collar

p1

59

Bottom Bearing Screw

s1

17

Bobbin Washer

p1

60

Vane Lock Pin

s1

18

Lever Bearing

p4

61

Shaft Lock Pin

s1

19

Drive Sleeve

p1

62

Rudder Pin

s1

20

Ball Socket

p2

63

Con-rod

a1

21

Ratio Knob

p1

64

Heading Tube

s1

22

Shaft Lock Sleeve

p1

65

Vane Lever

c1

23

Tiller

p/s1

66

Top Mounting

 

24

Shaft Top Bearing

p1

67

Weight Arm

c1

25

Shaft Bottom Bearing

p1

68

Con-rod Top

c1

26

Shaft Bottom Collar

p1

69

Bottom Lever

c1

27

Shaft Race Collar

p1

70

Ratio Arm

c1

28

Race Collar Pin

s1

71

Fork Arm

c1

29S

Rudder Tube S 757mm

s

72

Top Frame

c1

29M

Rudder Tube M 986mm

s

73

Main Frame

c1

29L

Rudder Tube L 1240mm

s

74

Balance Weight Pair

c1

29X

Rudder Tube X 1494mm

s

75

Wind Vane Frame

a/c1

30S

Rudder Shaft S 979mm

s

76

Wind Vane Cover

1

30M

Rudder Shaft M 1208mm

s

77

Rudder

p1

30L

Rudder Shaft L 1462mm

s

78

Bolt Sleeves

p6

30X

Rudder Shaft X 1716mm

s

79

Frame Case

p1

31

Shaft Ball Race

p19

80

Worm and Axle

s/p1

32

Vane Knob

p1

81

Worm Bearings Pair

p1

33

Axis Knob

p1

82

Grooved Wheel

p1

34

Heading Knob

p1

83

Grooved Wheel Screw

s1

35

Ratio Rod

s1

84

Worm Terminal Nut

1

36

Drive Rod

s2

85

Worm Gear Wheel

p1

37

Vane Bolt Set

s1

86

Worm Box

c1

38

Axis Bolt Set

s1

87

Worm Line Fairleads

p2

39

Heading Bolt Set

s1

88

Worm Box Stud Set

s1

40

Axle Screw

s8

89

Gear Clamp Bolt Set

s1

41

Tiller Screw

s1

90

Bearing Washer

p1

42

Drive Rod Screw

s2

91

Remote Line Set

1

43

Ball Socket Screw

s2

 

 

 

100

H Mounting Flange

c1

109

E Shaft Sleeve

p1

101

H Shaft Clamp Pair

c1

110

E Stay Tube

s1

102

H Long Bolt Set

s1

111

A Mounting Flange

c2

103

H Short Bolt Set

s1

112

A Stay Tube Clamp

c4

104

H Shaft Sleeve

p1

113

A Shaft Clamp

c1

105

H Swivel Washer

p2

114

A Bolt Set

s13

106

E Transom Clamp Pair

c1

115

A Shaft Sleeve

p1

107

E Shaft Clamp Pair

c1

116

A Swivel Washer

p4

108

E Bolt Set

s5

117

A Stay Tube

s2

  
  
   Key to description: p = plastic s = stainless a = alloy c = casting
   Number after letter indicates quantity of that part.

 


COURSE SETTING     Parts in italics are VXA2 only     Parts in bold are VXA1 only


RUDDER SHAFT ASSEMBLY

From 2002 onward all units are only the VXA 1D or the VXA 2D. The “D” indicates the heavier shaft assembly which includes the larger 1¼” diameter shaft with the heavier .125 inch rudder tube. Previously, a lighter shaft assembly was also available for vessels up to 43 ft L.O.A./30,000 lbs displacement (13m/13,500 kgs). That assembly had an 1 1/8 inch diameter shaft and the tube wall thickness was .080 inches. On re-order of shaft assembly parts it is most important that the shaft size is determined. The diameter of the rudder shaft can be either 1¼” (3.175 cm.) or 1 1/8” (2.85 cm.). That shaft diameter pertains to the following parts:"

   • Shaft Top Bearing

part 24

   • Shaft Bottom Bearing

part 25

   • Shaft Bottom Collar

part 26

   • Rudder Tubes

part 29

   • Rudder Shafts

part 30

   • Rudder

part 77



Hydrovane Selfsteer Gear


Hydrovane Selfsteer Gear