Video of Far Reach Cape Horn Windvane in Action

[John Stone]

Hi everyone. I have only been back from the West Indies two weeks and I am already restless. LOL.

I have been thinking about putting some videos together from our significant GoPro library of our two voyages to the Virgin Islands. I don't have the right software or any experience so I have been reading about it a little and just sort of playing with it. Gaining a little experience and seeing if this is something I want to spend time on.

I put together a short video about our Cape Horn Windvane. The video was taken during the last trip to the BVI. We are beating into significant swells with double reefed main and stays'l. It's just before sunset. The light is not great and there is water flying and on the lens. So, not great film quality. It's about three minutes long. I chose it because I thought it would stand alone, was not too long, put the microphone to the test, required two clips to be spliced together, required captions, etc.

My sister gave me a small active external microphone before I sailed that attaches to the GoPro in its waterproof housing. It is designed to cut the wind noise. I think it does a pretty good job but I am interested in what you think.

I need better editing software. I just used the windows movie maker windows 7 based four year old laptop that is no longer supported by microsoft. I don't have a Mac and don't really want to spend that kind of money. Some of the software I have read about such as Corale Ultimate Studio 2019 does way more than I could every use. It seems pretty complicated too. But the windows movie maker does not do enough. If you have experience with some editing software that you like I would be interested in what you are using and what you think about it.

If you view it and think it OK and comment, like, or share it is somehow suppose to elevate it in the you tube feed. I am not sure how this works.

If I put together the longer "movie" I am thinking about, Cape Dory, as a quality boat, will play an important role. I am still sketching ideas out.

Anyway, here it is: https://youtu.be/m9ck5QtJOmU

[Tod Mills]

That's a great first try! I'm not sure what else you are trying to accomplish with your editing, but other than perhaps higher resolution and, with some videos, maybe a little music or voice overs, it's fine. In that weather while beating, the spray on the lens is just unavoidable.

Probably my two favorite sailing videos, from a "polished standalone film" perspective are these:

Sailing Solo to the Faroe Islands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Dq0f3WwW8

"Philosophy of Sailing": Solo to Hawaii and Return, 2017 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5m9yT06Khg

I also enjoy this sailing channel (among others). Kevin also solo sails:

How To Sail Oceans https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTmJcC ... Bvtf_7nTLw

[JD-MDR]

Thanks John. I can't get my windvane to work. I don't know what the problem is. I'll try again next week with the smaller drum.

[fmueller]

John,

Which model do you have "Jean de Sud" or "Spray"

thanks

Fred

[John Stone]

John,

Which model do you have "Jean de Sud" or "Spray"

thanks

Fred

Hi Fred
Jean-du-Sud.

[JD-MDR]

Hi John, thanks for the video. I have a question. How do you go about tacking or gybing with the windvane? do you have to disconnect every time or just turn the turret 90 degrees? I've tried with out disconnecting .Sometimes with success. I was having problems last weekend on a broad reach. I was using the asymetrical and no pole. Maybe I'm not getting my sails balanced good enough.. A guy from C-List came and got my broken reaching strut. He had a wanted ad. I gave it to him for free. turns out he is a ASA instructor ( I don't know if that means anything) but he told me to come down anytime for a free lesson and he races three times a week . invited me to join that also. .

[John Stone]

JD
I think you would get a lot out of sailing with him. I encourage everyone to race when possible. Nothing improves your sailing knowledge like time spent on the race course. Especially helpful to crew on a good boat. Lots to learn that you can transfer to your own cruising boat.

If the swells are not too big I can tack by pulling on the course adjustment line so the disk turns about 100°. You can also physically turn the disk. Turn the disk a little more than you think you need so you can foot-off a little after the tack, gather speed and come up to you new heading by fine tuning the disk. If the swells are big I set the vane to the new heading and then quickly disengage it. Tack the boat with the tiller between my legs because I can turn the boat more aggressively with the tiller than the vane can tack it. I handle the sheets with the tiller still between my legs and when the tack is complete I re-engage the vane and then fine tune to the new heading.

I’m sure I have gybed the boat with the vane in calm conditions but I typically disconnect the vane, gybe with the tiller between my legs. Much more positive control. I also gybe well across the wind at least to a broad reach, re-engage the vane, move the preventer across to the leeward side, then fine tune the vane by using the course control line to the new heading.

If you click on the link and scroll down a bit I described the technique I use with supporting pictures.
https://farreachvoyages.net/2019/05/23/ ... ain-thing/

I have video of tacking singlehanded I can post if people are interested.

[Tod Mills]

I have video of tacking singlehanded I can post if people are interested.

Sure! I am always interested in seeing others' techniques!