Autohelm-wind vane

[Dennis]

Hi All,

I'm plannig to purchase a ST2000 Autohelm, does anyone have any information about the wind vane accesory for it? It is supposed to steer to the apparent wind. How well does it work? Is it worth it?

Thanks,
Dennis



dennis.driscoll@roche.com

[Larry DeMers]

We have the Autohelm 3000, with windvane option, and we never have been able to get it to steer reliably. The wind needs to be undisturbed, and we could not find an undisturbed area that worked for more than a few minutes at a time. There does not seem tobe an area that does not get dirty air at some point in the day.

Also, be aware (you may aready be, so this warning may be unnecessary) that with a windvane, boats will follow the wind shifts faithfully (if the darn thing is working anyway)..and that includes right up on shore. A magnetic reference steers by a set compass course, making landing on the hard unlikely.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Hi All,

I'm plannig to purchase a ST2000 Autohelm, does anyone have any information about the wind vane accesory for it? It is supposed to steer to the apparent wind. How well does it work? Is it worth it?

Thanks,
Dennis

demers@sgi.com

[Bill Goldsmith]

Larry,

I am a little surprised at your experience with the Autohelm. I don't have a vane, but I'd have thought Raytheon would put in an averaging program or some type of variable delay so that the skipper could adjust it to the conditions. No such toy? As always, thanks for your contributions here!

Bill Goldsmith
CD27
Second Chance

We have the Autohelm 3000, with windvane option, and we never have been able to get it to steer reliably. The wind needs to be undisturbed, and we could not find an undisturbed area that worked for more than a few minutes at a time. There does not seem tobe an area that does not get dirty air at some point in the day.

Also, be aware (you may aready be, so this warning may be unnecessary) that with a windvane, boats will follow the wind shifts faithfully (if the darn thing is working anyway)..and that includes right up on shore. A magnetic reference steers by a set compass course, making landing on the hard unlikely.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Hi All,

I'm plannig to purchase a ST2000 Autohelm, does anyone have any information about the wind vane accesory for it? It is supposed to steer to the apparent wind. How well does it work? Is it worth it?

Thanks,
Dennis

goldy@bestweb.net

[M. R. Bober]

We tried to use the vane with an Autohelm 1000 on our CD27. Let's just say it wasn't likely to wear out from use. Mounting the vane within the cable's length of the control unit but still in "clear" air was not possible. We mounted the vane on the pushpit rail, but the effects of the sails (primarily the main) directed the vane.

It lived below on the shelf behind the starboard settee. Consider saving your money, or at least arranging for a trial run.
Mitchell Bober
RESPITE
CD330

[Larry DeMers]

Hi Bill and all,

My Autohelm is an older one..heck, it was old when dirt was young. It does not have a very sophisticated algorithum, if any. The wind sensor needs clear air, and unfortunately, I have had zero success in finding a spot to mount the pole and windvane where it was able to read the wind on more than one tack. Remounting it for each tack was about all I could come up with, and that wasn't worth considering.

I encourage you folks to see if you can find a spot that seems to work well in most conditions on your boat. You may have more success than I though, as our stern is busy, so the number of choices was limited to 4. Top of the mast mounting would be ideal, but that sensor is heavier than a windex or other wind sensor, so represents a bit of windage to consider. My mast top is also pretty busy already, so we never remounted it. Anyone need one?

Hey, I did a 45 mile Spinnaker run this past weekend. We started out running in 5-10 kts. and ended up in 30 kts/5fters and close reaching at 7.75kts Average, with 8.3kts. top sustained speed (Using a light wind Cruising Spinnaker..no pole)! Simply Incredible~! A new record for DeLaMer. So much for the hull speed barrier! hee, now that I would like to do again, but that Spinnaker was near blowing, so will not do it again. But damn, that was some sailing.
As far as contributions go Bill...my pleasure entirely! Sailing is my life and dream come true. I'd like to help others enjoy it as much as we do.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Larry,

I am a little surprised at your experience with the Autohelm. I don't have a vane, but I'd have thought Raytheon would put in an averaging program or some type of variable delay so that the skipper could adjust it to the conditions. No such toy? As always, thanks for your contributions here!

Bill Goldsmith
CD27
Second Chance

We have the Autohelm 3000, with windvane option, and we never have been able to get it to steer reliably. The wind needs to be undisturbed, and we could not find an undisturbed area that worked for more than a few minutes at a time. There does not seem tobe an area that does not get dirty air at some point in the day.

Also, be aware (you may aready be, so this warning may be unnecessary) that with a windvane, boats will follow the wind shifts faithfully (if the darn thing is working anyway)..and that includes right up on shore. A magnetic reference steers by a set compass course, making landing on the hard unlikely.

Cheers!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

Hi All,

I'm plannig to purchase a ST2000 Autohelm, does anyone have any information about the wind vane accesory for it? It is supposed to steer to the apparent wind. How well does it work? Is it worth it?

Thanks,
Dennis

demers@sgi.com