True Stories

Circumnavigators

ADRIAN FLANAGAN ATTEMPTS SOLO POLAR CIRCUMNAVIGATION

“…Hydrovane performed way beyond my expectations.”

Adrian plans to set sail from Mehamn, Norway for home tomorrow, May 1, 2008.  Adrian’s book ‘Over The Top’ will be published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on the 9th October. There is a link to pre-order the book from Amazon on the front page of his web site www.alphaglobalex.com.

Adrian's 'BARRABAS' a Trireme 38 Mk IV

After 26,000 miles taking ten months at sea from the UK to Alaska via the Horn: “…the Hydrovane tirelessly and reliably steered ‘Barabas’ the entire time with the only exception being three storms for a total of 12 hours of hand steering…… Where I had concerns with practically every other piece of equipment on board, the Hydrovane never caused a moment’s worry…..my confidence in the steering of the Hydrovane was so high that I often would sleep the entire night … leaving Hydrovane with the responsibility of keeping the sails full. The Hydrovane performed way beyond my expectations”.….Adrian Flanagan

Adrian's 'BARRABAS' a Trireme 38 Mk IV

Emergency Stop - Adrian arriving at Ala Wai Marina (guest of Waikiki Yacht Club), Honolulu, Hawaii - after over 6 months at sea non-stop from England via Cape Horn. Note the 'stubby' vane at work

Margaret Williams

2nd Attempt - First female to solo sail, non stop and unassisted around Australia. 1st Attempt ended in disaster - but saved by Hydrovane!

44 year old Dr. Margaret Williams set sail from Mooloolaba, Queensland, on 19 October 2005 in her 12-metre sloop 'Against All Odds' on a quest to be the first female to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Australia.

After 48 days at sea, 5500 nautical miles, and having completed two-thirds of her journey, she encountered severe storm conditions while crossing the Great Australian Bight en route to Tasmania.

Her rudder broke during one of several capsizes, forcing her to retire from this world record attempt.

"I was very thankful that I had installed a Hydrovane self-steering system, which unlike most windvanes, has an independent rudder. It steered the yacht 240 nm (on the log) after my rudder broke, even with a main rudder flailing uncontrollably, into Bremer Bay and then on to Albany. Although initially my steerage in the storm conditions was not great with the broken main rudder, I did have some steering and shudder to think what would have happened if I had had no steerage at all. I may well have lost the boat and even my life."

From Maggie's website - see the full story at:
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Margaret Williams - Adams 12

UNSOLICITED EMAIL RECEIVED DEC. 11/05 FROM 'AGAINST ALL ODDS' DELIVERY SKIPPER

"I deliver yachts around and up and down the coast of Western Australia for clients. I feel now, having experienced the quality of the Hydrovane, that anyone seriously considering setting of on an ocean voyage would be well advised to have one fitted to their yacht!"

From: Pure Plantation [mailto:purepine@westnet.com.au]
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2005 9:24 PM
To:
Subject: HYDROVANE

Hello John

I am writing to you from Albany on the South Coast of Western Australia.

Perhaps you may have heard of Margaret Williams who set off from Queensland to attempt the first woman to sail around Australia.
Unfortunately Margie was hit with terrible weather South South East of Albany and suffered many knockdowns with the result being a broken rudder. It appears the tangs have broken within the rudder rendering it useless. At that time she was about 50 mile South of a small town called Bemmer Bay.

The good news though was that her yacht ( Against All Odds) is fitted with your Hydrovane which despite the incredibly rough conditions meant that she could steer a course, using the tiller attached to the Hydrovane, to safety in Bremmer Bay.

I travelled to Bremmer Bay on Friday and helped Margie sail her back to Albany for there is a lifter here.

The conditions that Margie faced in the Southern Ocean were about as bad as it can get and I guess in reality your product not only saved Margie but also her yacht.

At times I deliver yachts around and up and down the coast of Western Australia for clients. I feel now, having experienced the quality of the Hydrovane, that anyone seriously considering setting of on an ocean voyage would be well advised to have one fitted to their yacht!
The purpose of this email is to congratulate your company on manufacturing a magnificent piece of equipment.
Kind regards
Mark McRae