Offshore with the Cape Horn Self-Steering Wind Vane

[@harbourdogNL]

Currently reading Alone Together..."we're" on the way back from Hawaii now, and a couple hundred miles off SF...enjoying every chapter. Greetings from 47º 27" 47" N 52º 42" 23" W

[@kman-mi7su]

Christian, you are living the life man, I'm enjoying watching every minute of it. Fair winds and smooth sailing friend.

[@SailingwithMaury]

On my boat with tiller there are lines and gear in cockpit. Took a lot to get it working well but assistance by the designer has been super helpful.

[@goodbyemr.anderson5065]

I love you man. You are a great story teller. And the discussion on "who are we gonna be when we are old" really helped me cope with my aging.

[@johnhover9835]

The Cape Horn is indeed an amazing, refined piece of equipment. My spouse and I sailed a 35-footer with one 13k miles from the US east coast to New Zealand with zero problems. Can't recommend them enough. So good to see an in-depth video. Takes me back!

[@bureaumarc]

Thank you for all your great material...

[@tommycheshire5508]

You are like a transfusion, you are keeping me alive. Thank you for all your efforts to keep me at sea.

[@richardmoore4194]

One of your country men famously said "No sufficiently mature technology is indistinguishable from magic" i enjoy your erudition very much sir.

[@Escapetosea]

Sold! I used to want a monitor, now I want a Cape Horn. Best videos around. Thanks again.

[@Alsinsin]

Great explanation of how this wind vane works. I really enjoy your videos.

[@marketzensperger5214]

Well I did it, took my dodger off and what a nice view I have. I sail in Florida and I just can't part with the bimini. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@johnsmith1474]

He's a trustworthy advisor.

[@jaydubya4727]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on ANYTHING. You are the epitome of erudition. Your adventures inspire me and many (at least 65K) others. It is always a thrill of anticipation when a notification of one of your videos pings my phone. Please keep yourself safe and as active as you want to be.

[@johnsmith1474]

It's a very interesting example of how often times "sloppy fit" mechanisms are preferable to even a nearly rigid mechanism, for rough uses. I'd be interested to see a live camera shot from below when it is under max loads of the type that makes attachments fail. And I'm impressed that the friction in the system is so low it seems to have no binding issue, again the slop works. Kudos for mentioning the A+ aesthetics of the Capehorn, illustrating that true sailors are concerned with beauty for it's own sake.

[@stub2022]

Sloppy fit has proven time and tike again to result in the replacement of the less expensive components than does tight fit rigging set-ups, imho. 👍😁🍺🍷

[@Kernfederate]

I always get a big smile on my face when I see your upload notification!

[@agamingskipper1121]

He's right. It is a intimate thing. I recall taking a delivery from Hawaii to California, and the Skipper had a padel assisted version aswell. Truely a godsent.

[@buzzofftoxicblog791]

Brilliant simple engeenering love this Cape Horn self stearwind vain. Your explanation of how it works well thought out and excellently delivered video 📹 thank you 😊 Buzz

[@snakeplisken4278]

Always liked this one, but finally decided to go for the Hydrovane as it steers the boat independently as I am sure you know.

[@williamwarner7312]

Very interesting Christian Williams I just love the way you explain yourself and the way you upgraded your boat it's such a pleasure just to be able to understand the way things work as you explain them through the story you're truly a great teacher and I appreciate all you've done for the Sailing Community and Mankind tight lines brother

[@tonymorgan2813]

You just might be the smartest sailor alive. Your videos are so educational and, at the same time, so educational. I'm not one who sails, but watching your videos ,that desire keeps mounti!

[@sparkeyjones6261]

Awesome explanation of the Cape Horn system. Up until now, I assumed it was magic. Lol

[@obieandlaurie]

Christian communicates like no other, and I still need to re-watch the video of those darn wind vanes! 🌬🌊

[@geraldtribbe6363]

As always, interesting and informative. Thanks Christian.

[@bilparnell]

Thank you Sir for adding Everyman language and useful content in your Media. 👍🏻

[@u.s.militia7682]

I’m 52 years old. When I grow up I wanna be this man.

[@davevaughn6293]

I love to hear you explain things in your sailing life. Well done 👏

[@jerrythornberry7070]

Enjoyed your profond appriciation for the wind vane thay are a thing of simplisity that does so much and never asks for pay, a brake , vacation or a pat on the back for doing an astonding performance .

[@rwcawley]

Eloquence personified. A pleasure to watch. Thank you!

[@MiQBohlin]

Beautiful way of telling the Windvane praise! I agree!

[@HimoftheBoat1967]

Thanks for the 'Pick me up' Christian. I'm in the process of refitting my Cap Horn windvane to allow gas bottles & sheets to hopefully do their thing without problems. I'll be up & sailing within 6 months (fingers crossed) & as a singlehander, I'll be looking forward to meeting my only mechanical crew member..👍

[@13Hangfire]

Thank you Mr. Williams...

[@c.wrightkunkle3681]

Your channel is fantastic. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing either, it’s always interesting.

[@realmickmanning]

I'll be in Guanacaste, Costa Rica all next week. Sail on down and give us a tour. :-) Great video Christian. Thanks!

[@WildWoodlandsSW]

Always interesting. Thanks for your great videos. Best wishes, and tight sails 🙂🙏

[@steini6771]

Thank you for explaining the magic of the self - steering Wind Vane. Just Fab! Love your channel.

[@dreamtimesv]

Excellent explanation

[@alejandrocividini8249]

Great video.. Thank you. Would love to learn and master that anticipation helming in waves that you made a point to mention.

[@reinholdreinecke3677]

Respect , Excellent explanation , you are very nice person and Sailer. All Time the Best. Reinhold from Germany 😁😎

[@treywest268]

I love your channel and your narrative that goes with it! I look forward to every video that you post. I wish it was far more regular as when I am watching your videos I feel like I am spending time with a man who has a very old wise soul inside even if his eyes still see the World as though he is 17. Thank you so much for giving me the the joy (and admitted envy) that you do. I look forward to the next visit!

[@thistledown6026]

About halfway to Hawaii, we, too, discovered that the eyebolts on the ship's quadrant need to be at least 3/8" not smaller. That alone tells you all you need to know about the tremendous lateral loads in this otherwise ideal system that performed perfectly to NZ and back to the PNW.

[@VadiodaXT]

Thank you for all

[@staxter6]

More than a hint of 'Wilson' the personified friend there Christian. Beautifully presented wind vane stuff.

[@tmsact]

I salute you wind vane! 🇺🇸

[@tomwaite4594]

Loving the new Cape Horn " Mr Monk" almost ad much ad this latest video!! Thank You " Beyond All Things Is The Sea " SENECA

[@christopherrussell1677]

3 cheers and 3 beers for all the wind vanes out there !

[@FelixGarcia-x3i]

Very inspirational, viewing many of your videos. Just subscribed as well. Keep up the great work buddy

[@huntsail3727]

Happy Mardi Gras 2022, Laissez le bon temps rouler offshore !

[@voilierbalthazar]

We sailed around the world through the trade winds and the Canadian Arctic via the Northwest Passage aboard Balthazar, our 35-foot centerboard. That's over 55,000 miles with a CapeHorn wind vane with no issues. He holds the course better than a teammate, whatever the wind speed and angle. It's the best investment we've made when building Balthazar. ;)

[@alexandercarlsson2283]

Great episod! Fantastic explanation and smashing imagery.

[@williamcleveland4277]

In an era of electronics armed with Artificial Intelligence software that can replace human thinking, it is a great pleasure to see an ingenious mechanical system that fights successfully an environment with multiple forces fighting back relentlessly against the objective. Hail to the Victors as the U of M song goes.

[@PGodin54]

Thank you for your good teaching 👍🇨🇦

[@stephengrube1532]

Fascinating. Thank you. I look at all those stretchy lines and blocks and fittings, all going through thousands of load cycles hour after hour. I wonder if many of them could not be eliminated with a direct drive, gear-driven coupling between the two quadrants? Quieter, fewer moving parts, less slop in transmitting force to the steering wheel. Probably more expensive, more complicated to install though. Also, I gather that boat heading with this vane is entirely a matter of wind heading, i.e., you could turn in for a night's sleep with the boat set up on a broad reach, heading due west with a wind coming straight out of the north. You wake up a couple hours later and discover you're now heading northwest because the wind has backed around to the northeast. I'm sure you must have some kind of alarm system installed to let you know when there are major changes in heading.

[@pauleohl]

You don't sleep for 2 hours when single handing.....and when you get to be Christian William's age, you will find that you get piss calls more often than once every 2 hours. Don't ask me how I know.

[@JonDunnmusician]

@@pauleohl thank you Paul for the humor therapy

[@stephengrube1532]

@@pauleohlLOL. I'm 70 years old. Believe me, I see your point.

[@rickbertram238]

thanks for the tutorial. Enjoy your journey

[@hkastelein5141]

Thanks man, great to see your YT s👍👍

[@mjb0183]

Awesome production. 👏

[@Early8Q]

I was hoping for the delicate preference for the elegant vs. the more crude alternative in retrospect. I suspect that is better left to the individual as they asses their own requirements. Either way, I fine chapter from one my favorite seamen. Fair winds and following seas!

[@johnoshea5316]

Love your videos !

[@hodadyou]

It would be amazing to see the specs of what you used to install and where you sourced the pad eyes and pulleys .

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Details here. May have to join the forum but it's free and no ads. ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/cape-horn-wind-vane-installation-2021.904/

[@HimoftheBoat1967]

Link didn't work for me...😞

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

@@HimoftheBoat1967 Try Googling this: Cape Horn Wind Vane Installation 2021 - E381

[@TheViscondedelourido]

...fantastic explanation...!!!!

[@niallrath1925]

Seems very complicated with lots of failure/chafe points. Love the videos and the philosophical musings, good luck.

[@johnsmith1474]

In fact it's uncomplicated and it seems so. No power source. No tight tolerances, all the stresses are handled by the same family of hardware that is used for the sails; line & pulley wheels. What it does seem is puzzling; which is very different than complicated.

[@michaelwargo5702]

Awesome as usual....thank you

[@JoaoRodrigues-mx1ub]

Olá caro amigo, prazer em novamente revelo. Agradeço a sua explanação. Tenho pena de não puder ser traduzido para português, no entanto deu para perceber os pormenores mais importantes. Muito obrigado. Um grande abraço e até breve.

[@rainfinger]

Great video, remembering what it was like from our circumnavigation in the 1980s, presently cruising the Bahamas. My wife's book is a good read, published by Austin Macauley of New York, literally a fictional story of sailing and adventure: "Seychelle and the Cannabis Yachties". It is very entertaining, hoping you will give it a read.

[@leefrost3241]

YAY your still sailing. Do you ever take people out on your adventures if they would like to learn how to sail? Would you ever sail to the Philippines?

[@ctrader6]

LOL. If yes, can I book passage to the U.S.?

[@vgrof2315]

Thank you. Excellent!

[@johnsmith1474]

I tried to visualize, when shown (9:50) the "Ronstan blocks" where they would be, "safety wired" if they could be safety wired. Is the failure point presumed to be the axle? Anybody know?

[@alcooper944]

I think he meant the shackles themselves

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

@@alcooper944 That's right, the shackle pins have no eye on the pin to allow safety wire. Being worked constantly the pins tend to back out.

[@johnsmith1474]

@@alcooper944 Thanks, I think I get it. The axle on the stirrup (lubber term) has a screw threaded end, and it works out. If they were longer the end could be drilled for safety wire. I was seeing them as peened over permanently like a rivet rather than threaded but now I see one bit fat end and the other not so fat.

[@alcooper944]

​@@johnsmith1474 Yep you're on to it John, there are many different types,. Christian just bought the wrong ones .

[@voodoochild1954]

Great Video!

[@chasepuzon6893]

Enjoy your videos

[@bureaumarc]

There is some fiberglass comming undone on your strabord cockpit drain.

[@sailingfordummies.capt.sli4811]

Outstanding!!!!

[@jimgooch3704]

That bilge is cleaner than my kitchen.

[@CryptoMafia]

Christian, you are inspiring me! I am looking at boats, can you please answer a question for me? What type of program do you use to edit your videos?

[@paulb5907]

hi christian great video very informative , when running down wind in heavy following sea do you stream lines astern , deploy a drogue , or use one of those devices which is a rope with numerous cups along its length the more you deploy the more drag is placed on the stern preventing broaching , would this prevent the inevitable broach at night that you describe

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6TKZ3tmrrSahck

[@RodFleming-World]

You need to see how the yt auto-subtitles render you saying 'Cape Horn' - 'k-porn!' Lol I can't breathe

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Fixed the closed captions, which I eventually always have to do. Sorry to see "K-porn" go, however....

[@fredfisher2699]

I deeply enjoy your content, and look forward to the day I can wave to you from Oasis (a beneteau 423 out of marina del Rey). Other than the obvious value of conserving electricity, are there other advantages of a vane over an electric autopilot?

[@gymcoachdon]

Probably reliability and reparability

[@thistledown6026]

Since the vane is set to the apparent wind with the sails trimmed to the conditions, you will continue to sail fairly efficiently even if your compass course changes with wind shifts, which could be good or bad, of course, but with an autopilot sailing to a waypoint or compass heading, you may not always be getting the most out of your sail set...I guess that just gives the crew on watch something to think about and sort out!

[@ckeilah]

I wonder how this CapeHorn vane compares to the Hydrovane and to other options like fully integrated electronics that take course, winds, etc. into account.

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

They all work. The boat design, shape of transom and commitment to battery power dictate the choice. Mechanical vanes work well and require no big battery bank or complicated recharging schemes (both of which get expensive fast). But you still need a wheel pilot for motoring. In a yacht heavy on electronics, with banks of lithium batteries and inverter for microwave and hairdryer, a powerful hydraulic self steering system makes sense, and keeps the transom clear. But electronics can fail mysteriously, while issues with a mechanical vane can usually be fixed. As to choice of vane, the boat matters, not so much for performance but installation. The Cape Horn, especially, is much easier to install on some boats than it is on others, it just depends on the way the belowdecks steering apparatus is configured.

[@carlkenyon4599]

Well done !

[@twoeagledrones]

Great vid.

[@grahamatsea3575]

What made you go for this design over the hydrovane which doesn't require any connection to the ships steering? Your wind vane is very compact and small compared to the hydrovane sail

[@The_Frozen_Canadian.est.1793]

I’m currently in the process of rebuilding/fitting a 1929 international 8m j-class, I’m wondering if it’s possible to mount a wind vane to the stern? I’ve googled, researched endlessly for a proper way to install a reliable setup that both is incredibly solid and functional, as well as complementing the beautiful classic lines of the boat. If anyone has any suggestions or references, it would be greatly appreciated. My goal is to set up up as a short handed racer/cruiser, and solo her until king Neptune takes her, myself or us both.

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

You need a belowdecks autopilot. A wind vane on the stern would look wrong on that design.

[@yakekaj]

Could this work on a center cockpit boat? Wondering if all the below decks gubbins could hook up to the existing steering mechanism aft of the cockpit.

[@sailingcitrinesunset4065]

Nice video

[@twoblindsquirrels37]

Thank you

[@TomArrrrr]

Do you need to lubricate the system? Or just replace moving parts?

[@ctrader6]

Maybe I missed it: I didn’t hear comment about setting course. The wind vane steers the boat to maintain the course, so shall I assume that you set course first, and then engage the wind vane? Thanks.

[@yakekaj]

The windvane steers by the wind. You set the vane at the angle to the wind that (at that moment) points you in the direction you want to go. As the wind changes direction the wind vane keeps you to the same angle to the wind so the boat will now be off course. As a result you need to readjust the angle of the wind vane to put you back on course. So the windvane doesn't keep you to a compass bearing.

[@thistledown6026]

Yes, the vane is mounted on a 360 degree turret that can be rotated, by hand or by remote control line, in the horizontal plane to align the vane's leading edge exactly with the apparent wind direction once the boat is set on the desired course and the ship's rudder position is locked in the centerline.

[@rodneyhenson]

Are you headed to Hawaii again?

[@josephgadoury1057]

Mr. Williams, can a good autopilot be as efficient? Or is it because they do not require any electric power!

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Sure, all the big sailboats have autopilots now. A wind vane makes no demands on energy and can be fixed when it breaks, and is often more appropriate for older sailboats without massive battery banks for deep freeze, AC, microwaves and so on. The price of electric autopilot and vane steering installation is about the same.

[@chewybacchus5918]

Christian have you named your Wind Vane?

[@boondog8504]

Having just completed a 600-mile downwind passage, two-up, with a nonfunctional autopilot, I am now shopping for a windvane gear. No way will I put myself or my shipmate through that torment again. Unfortunately the layout of my steering gear precludes the Cape Horn system, which would otherwise be my choice. I don’t like scaffolding look of the Monitor or Aries, fine systems though they are. Will have to choose between Windpilot or Neptune…

[@gymcoachdon]

Thanks!

[@JohnBraman413]

how long did it take to install the system? can you sleep while windvane is working?

[@6ix418]

Man my dream. Is to do this.

[@roncanizares9966]

Hi Christian: I have asked you before but never got a response. How do you compare the Cape Horn to the Sail-O-Mat wind vane you had before? Thank you in advance for your response.

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZioe2aIf76cj8U&t and kzbin.info/www/bejne/q161e2emachngbs&t and kzbin.info/www/bejne/iInFiYqNbM6rhc0&t

[@roncanizares9966]

Thank you Christian. But I still don't know if you have a preference or if either one is just fine. Kindly advise. Thank you

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

I gave you more than an hour of explanation. There is no one-word answer to anything. @@roncanizares9966

[@roncanizares9966]

You did a great job of explaining both units. But there is a one-word answer if one were trying to decide whether to buy a Cape Horn or a Windpilot Pacific (the Sail-O-Mat was a copy of that wind vane). That is the question I am asking you. I would very much appreciate you POV. Thank you in advance for giving it to me.

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Patience (mine is expended). Choice depends on boat installation issues, aesthetics,. availability and cost. Do your research. I will delete further argument.

[@ericlauch8673]

I'm a novice sailor so forgive my ignorance but, could you make a video of how you reef your mainsail without leaving your cockpit ?

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Try this, and turn on CC (closed captions). Part II of "Moving up to a larger boat" in Playlists. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZbNd5ynebqGd9k

[@ericlauch8673]

@@ChristianWilliamsYachting thank you sir 👍

[@rmcnabb]

I know the Cape Horn has a good reputation but what a tangled Rube Goldberg system. Why did you go with that one over say a Hydrovane? I guess this is for people with wheel steering that don't want lines in the cockpit? I'd rather have the lines where I can see/inspect/maintain them effortlessly.

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

Esthetics is what the CH has going for it. What it doesn't have going for it is the hidden circus. All a matter of taste and compromise.

[@DanielDavis730]

Alot of leads &wires everywhere. Seems like alot of butcha balucha. But what ever makes u happy .good video

[@sanchopabsta]

Six months later, any additional thoughts on the install?

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

The kinks (see kzbin.info/www/bejne/haubqKOibr56Z9E&t) have been worked out. I appreciate the low-profile permanent install. I enjoy being able to engage the vane without much pre-rigging, since the control lines are always attached. But you still have to drop the blade into the water and install the vane on the structure. I continue to believe that wind vane steering is of very limited value for daysailing, although invaluable for long passages. The Cape Horn works well. Degree of difficulty of the installation depends on the boat's existing steering system--some installs are easier than others. Elegance? The Cape Horn beats all. But all wind vanes work, so it remains a matter of choice.

[@ericlauch8673]

I’ve noticed you don’t use solar power. Is there a reason for this ?

[@heluf83]

Good to see you again! Did you ever consider Hydrovane wind vane when chosing a self steering system? As I understand,the Hydrovane has its own rudder working and steering the boat independently without use of the main rudder. Hence avoiding risk of linkange to main rudder failing and also providing the safety of having a spare rudder should you damage the main rudder. If you considered this, could you please share your thoughts? Thanks. Keep the videos coming 👍

[@johnsmith1474]

He had one, and he mentions it in this vid at 10:15. There are three types of self steering according to the basic research I did today: those that use their own rudder, and two types that use the boat's. Using the boat's rudder is superior and in this case the Capehorn is the best method of that & the most neat and aesthetic.

[@chriseggert420]

​@@johnsmith1474 Actually he did not mention the Hydrovane, which has no control lines above or below the cockpit, is also a backup emergency rudder. More elegant than the Cape Horn and much easier to install and manage.

[@thistledown6026]

While certainly acknowledging the advantage of a backup emergency rudder, to be complete, the discussion should also include whether a windvane system that uses the ship's rudder steers a given vessel as well or better than an auxillary transom-hung rudder in that given vessel, depending on the under body and location of the design rudder.@@chriseggert420

[@JohnJuliano]

Christian, were you compensated for this? Cash or free windvane?

[@ChristianWilliamsYachting]

I accept no products, gifts, money or compensation or consideration of any kind.

[@JohnJuliano]

@@ChristianWilliamsYachting Good to hear. So many others do.

[@ThatSandersboy]

Trying to understand how the inventor came up with the 1st self steering rig and how it works is hurting my head.

[@johnsmith1474]

You should look into the invention of the steam engine.

[@pauleohl]

Search "sheet to tiller" for a less sophisticated self steering apparatus.