Can anyone tell me of their personal experience with a monitor
windvane on a small cape dory such as mine.
Mikie@erols.com
Monitor Windvane for a cape dory 28 sloop
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Derek Hillen
Re: Monitor Windvane for a cape dory 28 sloop
Mike,
I just installed a Monitor Windvane on my Cape Dory 33 earlier this month and used it extensively when I made a trip up to Martha's Vineyard and back. First, installation ain't easy! It took me 5 days - but then I am not very good with tools. If you are mechanically inclined and lucky, figure on at least 2 full days. My rigger told me it would cost $800 to have him install it, for your reference. (He also said, "You did that yourself? You're a lot smarter than I thought you were."). The problem is the manual, while at first glance looks as if there is enough detail, when it comes down to the crunch - there isn't. You spend a lot of time moving a part and staring at it until you figure out where it should go, looking all the while like 'The Thinker,' and feeling like a monkey in a zoo as every passerby will ask, "Is that some kinda swim ladder?"
Secondly, be aware that it does not come with the requisite blocks shown in the photos. These you must buy and install yourself according to the configuration of your boat. It is important that the lines to the wheel, or tiller, are tight, yet don't suffer from too much friction.
Thirdly, it takes a while to figure out how the damn thing is supposed to work. First, conceptually and second, practically. I am still working on that and I think I am about 75% there.
Lastly, it works great!
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Cheers.
Derek
"Galileo"
derek.hillen@sgw.com
I just installed a Monitor Windvane on my Cape Dory 33 earlier this month and used it extensively when I made a trip up to Martha's Vineyard and back. First, installation ain't easy! It took me 5 days - but then I am not very good with tools. If you are mechanically inclined and lucky, figure on at least 2 full days. My rigger told me it would cost $800 to have him install it, for your reference. (He also said, "You did that yourself? You're a lot smarter than I thought you were."). The problem is the manual, while at first glance looks as if there is enough detail, when it comes down to the crunch - there isn't. You spend a lot of time moving a part and staring at it until you figure out where it should go, looking all the while like 'The Thinker,' and feeling like a monkey in a zoo as every passerby will ask, "Is that some kinda swim ladder?"
Secondly, be aware that it does not come with the requisite blocks shown in the photos. These you must buy and install yourself according to the configuration of your boat. It is important that the lines to the wheel, or tiller, are tight, yet don't suffer from too much friction.
Thirdly, it takes a while to figure out how the damn thing is supposed to work. First, conceptually and second, practically. I am still working on that and I think I am about 75% there.
Lastly, it works great!
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Cheers.
Derek
"Galileo"
Mike Quinlan wrote: Can anyone tell me of their personal experience with a monitor
windvane on a small cape dory such as mine.
derek.hillen@sgw.com
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Mike Quinlan
Re: Monitor Windvane for a cape dory 28 sloop
Derek,
Thank's for the info. I've been a industral mechanic for 25 years and
don't belive i'll have a problem with installation. 800 bucks seems
a little steep for the job. I salute your pluck for tacking on the
job yourself instead of knuckling under to the guy. After all, why
should you pay him for learning how to do it.
What I'm interested in is how well the monitor will dampen out the
yawing induced by large waves on the aft quarter. I have been told
that the pendulm can act independly of the windvane in this situation
and bring the boat back on course. Any input on this would be very
helpfull.
Thank's
Mike Quinlan,
"Fandance"
Mikie@erols.com
Thank's for the info. I've been a industral mechanic for 25 years and
don't belive i'll have a problem with installation. 800 bucks seems
a little steep for the job. I salute your pluck for tacking on the
job yourself instead of knuckling under to the guy. After all, why
should you pay him for learning how to do it.
What I'm interested in is how well the monitor will dampen out the
yawing induced by large waves on the aft quarter. I have been told
that the pendulm can act independly of the windvane in this situation
and bring the boat back on course. Any input on this would be very
helpfull.
Thank's
Mike Quinlan,
"Fandance"
Mikie@erols.com