the WHY, WHICH & COSTS of WIND VANES

[@theyshouldhavenevergivenme5439]

😭 cliche sailing channel #5,000. Why is she dressed like she's from the Middle Ages?

[@seethelittlethings]

Are you interested in an in depth but very cool way of explaining how a vane technically works? Converts wind to rudder movement? I swear it's crazy ingenious. Please don't say no because the video is already done and scheduled for mid next week.

[@PuntBamaPunt1972]

I think it would be a cool video, but in full disclosure I have a copy of Bill Belcher's book and have read it twice. 😉

[@bertram5798]

Yes .. yes... yes. Please!!!!

[@torpe2]

Without questioning the beauty and function of it, I would like to understand if the significant price is more weighted towards R&D put into it or actual manufacturing. Could you link the web comparing the most common alternatives? Thanks for your great videos!

[@DrAlcopops]

Hi, sorry to bother you, but was wanting to take a look at the website you mention @6.48 but am unable to find it in description.

[@seethelittlethings]

@Elcap O, so stupid, I forgot, it's there now! and here too www.cruisingworld.com/how/sorting-out-self-steering-options/

[@thefullmonte1902]

We named our crazy dinghy, which had a mind of it's own - Poco Loco.. :) Windvane suggestion: Britney Steers :)

[@SecretSquirrel809]

Nice😁 Mine, Charles - Charles Vane the pirate☠️

[@MOTOUK1]

Love you two 🙏 getting fed up with the other sailing channels thumb nails with half naked ladies, what is wrong with people 😂 you two are great genuine info look into the sailing ⛵️ life. Keep up the fab work and with you well.

[@seethelittlethings]

Thanks mate, appreciate your comments. 😘

[@robertadamsmetaldetecting6324]

Look at you two go. I remember when you hit 5k subs. Now you're about to hit 20k! Congratulations to you both. Your videos are always entertaining. Wishing much continued success!

[@seethelittlethings]

Thanks so much!! Happy to have you still watching. You were one of the first to comment on our videos back in 2019 🥂😘

[@flyertalking1107]

Great explanation of hydrovane. We’ve had ours for the past 7 years and all your advantages are completely correct. It has saved us after autopilot problems on an Atlantic crossing, and been invaluable sailing the pacific to Australia. One possible disadvantage to watch out for: the clip securing the rudder can be very sharp, we know because we punctured our dinghy not being careful enough when loading a stern anchor into the dinghy. Good luck explaining how it works. It’s mesmerising to watch, but difficult to understand !

[@nealeburgess6756]

Call her Vanessa (VANEssa). Thank you for your simple explanations about wind vanes. Very informative and easy to understand.

[@danknox9986]

Excellent video. Thanks for posting.

[@robcopestake5792]

Hi Mandy and Alex, I sooo look forward to viewing each new episode that you put out, thank you. I think your many followers will come up with some cute names for you. I will be thinking of some as well. Keep up the great work.

[@japemerson684]

Love listening to you both explain things! I hope Alex is feeling okay... looks tired and no smiles in this video!

[@mikedonnanancy5436]

You guys give a great explanation. Your technical videos are very very useful. And, ahem, Michael is a good name.

[@liamwhelan57]

Agree, its a great piece of kit! I fitted my Hydrovane last year in one day, on my own on a mooring - there were some bum clinching moments but I did successfully manage it without dropping anything in the drink.

[@carlray7224]

Polished and informative presentation. Making the effort to respond to intelligent questions a very nice gesture. The wind vane appears a decent piece of kit and a backup rudder option very advantageous.

[@MARIOSAILOR1]

Wind vane its a wonderfull sailing instrument, i used an Aries on a previous boat, and it was amazing just seet on the cokpit and enjoy it working... For a long passage like you are going to do its a good upgrade, pity its extremely expensive... Enjoy yours👌😊

[@maxpierrepoint-kerkhoff793]

Thanks for the explanation. Especially re the choices available.

[@kenc2707]

Mandy your outfit is beautiful! Alex looked acceptable LOL. Lots of great info about your new crew member the hydrovane. Can’t wait for your ocean crossing. I think you guys are going to love the Caribbean islands.

[@klausmenzel9449]

Eine Windsteueranlage muss sein! Auch wenn sehr teuer, habt ihr ja dann tatsächlich auch ein Ersatzruder. Da liegt allerdings auch ein Problem. Ein Pendelruder klappt bei Widerstand weg und nix passiert, aber die Hilfsruder können bei Kontakt mit Fremdkörpern enorme Kräfte auf den Rumpf ausüben, siehe "Plan B", der wegen eines dadurch entstandenen Lecks im Heckspiegel sein neues Boot aufgeben musste, soviel zu: keine bekannten Schäden an Hydrovane WSA. Alles Gute, Klaus

[@mobilixone1575]

...and there is seeweed getting trapped and difficult to clear without a swingrudder. And you get two traps with the aux rudder out of the centerline

[@joeaguirre3304]

I really like you two. Enjoyed your Hydrovane install video. Office sweat, yeah I would have been office sweating a lot! Always looking forward to your next one. Thanks for showing us the way you see things.

[@chadpeaks1472]

We love the boat name! It suits you guys! :) thanks for the awesome videos!!

[@peterfrebold]

.... Look at you two closing in on 20k subscribers .... well done you ..... just refreshed to see how close and low and behold you have passed 20,000 ... whoot whoot .... sounds of celebration fireworks and excitement .... from what I can tell from what you say and agree, the only negative is storing the dingy not on the stern .. oh well, there is more than one way to skin a cat .. just from observing have always thought the dinghy on the stern was in the way when say, fishing off the stern and wanting to land that prized catch, or showering on the sugar scoop, taking a mid crossing plunge in big blue ... another well thought out episode .. thank-you ... as always .. never stop dreaming, just dream bigger .. have fun be safe, save our oceans ....

[@PuntBamaPunt1972]

First "like"! Yes, I am awesome.

[@seethelittlethings]

Yes you are 🙌🙌😄🌹

[@geneberry7114]

Looking good Mandy : )

[@alofns]

Excellent explanation. Great video. Thank you very much.

[@hansalmqvist5478]

Only drawback I have experienced with the Hydrovane mounted off center is that it picks up sargassum weed. A problem that perhaps will increase in the future. We had to make a fork to be able to push the weed down under the Hydrovane rudder when we crossed from Cap Verde to Brazil. This troubled us for a day or two. At it's climax we had to do this maneuver every 5 minutes. Apart from this we absolutely love our extra crew member. It does not need to be fed. It does not get tired and performs just as well after 20 hours as the first 5 minutes. It's much better than an autopilot when on a close hauled as it will take advantage of any temporary wind shift.

[@seethelittlethings]

100% agree. Sargassum was a pain but solved with boat hook (fork) sliding down. Added risk by having to do this from the sugar scoop, mitigated by tethering of course.

[@kentpiatt7503]

Great Channel guys! I would name the new crew member...Carly Simon #you'resovane

[@crikycrocky]

I think there are two inventions which have transformed the life of long term cruisers, one of coarse is the windvane steering system and the other is the water maker. Best wishes from the UK...

[@1irlmike]

Thank you for this great information.

[@seethelittlethings]

Glad it was useful to you :))

[@mercelopez2299]

Very helpful video. Thanks 🤩👌🏻

[@mickcallan1042]

Loving your channel

[@seethelittlethings]

😍😍 thaaanks!

[@chrisweaverhaido2]

You forgot the fact that in case of rudder failure you have a spare tiller-rudder to continue your journey. Looking forward to your new video!!

[@sandyclaws7009]

Very informative. Thanx. Spell "maintainence" :D

[@seethelittlethings]

I’m not the greatest speller 😅

[@knickebien1966]

1:35 Absolut!

[@svamour4574]

Great job. I almost purchased a Hydrovane, the sales person in the United States grossly over priced the item so I did not purchase. I leaned the Hydrovane does not work in low wind conditions, I am a solo sailor and would get exhausted hand sailing in these conditions. Let me know how it works for you as I value your opinion and your honesty.

[@conbertbenneck49]

As the name implies, a wind vane always needs wind to function. If you have a flat calm no wind vane will work. That's when you need an electric autopilot.

[@svamour4574]

​@@conbertbenneck49 I thank you Sir Conbert Benneck.

[@scottshure3389]

Robert Graham had a simple wind vane on his boat Dove in the 60’s. He called it Gandalf which made sense to me as I was reading Lord of the Rings at the time. I like Gandalf as a name for yours too.

[@skimmerboat]

OTTO PEALOT FOR THE WIND VANE!!

[@pacopineda-gambucero2943]

Hydrovane was the better decision, I think. (Must recognize I'm completely "fall in love" with my own Hydrovane, including when coastal sailings. And yes, I'm singlehanded)

[@seethelittlethings]

it's the one we see in marinas most of the time. But then again. When you buy a green porsche all you see is green porsches. There's a word for it... 🤔

[@pacopineda-gambucero2943]

Mandy, Alex, synchronicity, maybe? hehehehehe. Anyway, the better choice, not cheap for sure, but the better choice as told. Enjoy it for million of miles.

[@goeasy1232]

They say some people buy a Hydrovane and THEN look for a boat to put it on! Mine's called WTF.

[@77jesseday]

Otto would be a good name for your new crew member.

[@richardcanella6848]

Hi, I live in Brazil but I’ll visit the USA next December. Could you tell me where can I buy a Hydrovane? What store? Regards, Richard Canella.

[@TroyaE117]

The Hydrovane does make marina turning a little "stiffer". Keep a close eye on the rudder lock pins. They can bend due to motor vibration.

[@seethelittlethings]

We always take the rudder off when not in use and especially before entering a marina. We can’t really steer well anymore in reverse when we keep the rudder on :)

[@Chris-zo5ze]

John Vane "The Duke" (very famous old American movie star)

[@danielpearson6306]

Did Hydovane give any information regarding the maximum weight of the boat the Hydro and will work properly. I have a Pacific Seacraft 40 that weighs about 40k pounds or 20k kgs.

[@johnshobbies4224]

My two favorite dependents 😀. Great video,lots of info. Too bad it can’t keep a certain course,but that is what navionics is for. It’s kind of a tippy thing. Take care of yourselves and stay safe. 💪🏻👩🏼👙⛵️👨🏻‍🎓🍻🌲. How’s the 👩‍🍳 book coming 😉😀

[@gerbentvandeveen]

Een windfane is de derde persoon aanboord. Ik ben zelf ook aan het kijken naar een andere zeilboot. Ik heb zeilles gegeven samen met mijn vrouw, bij Scoutinggroep De Eempad. In Spakenburg, Nederland. We hebben nu een zeilboot (je) van 4.20. Open. We zijn aan het kijken naar een, Bavaria 54, 55. Ik heb ook ervaring met wedstrijden zeilen, in andere en groter boten. Dan een kleine 5 meter.

[@dragonfarts4329]

Link to the Hydro install

[@petereisch7613]

Next week I would insist that you provide an in depth but very cool way of explaining how a vane technically works. This is very important to me. I will stop watching every video fifteen times if you don't. I mean it. #emoji-of-something Danke!

[@handbaghound]

Ok.. You guys are adorable!!!! Since I'm a newbie , Hello from the States!!! I have 2 questions. #1 , are you a married couple? Or partners? I ask because you are so considerate of one another #2. Would you ever consider the 18 to 20 day passing to somewhere like the Bahamas? Beautiful, calm anchorages and the most beautiful waters in the world!!

[@seethelittlethings]

Hey Susan! We’re technically not married :) Usually you’ll cross from the Canary Islands to somewhere Windward/West Indies so you can cruise the windward islands and then make your way downwind to the Bahamas and US. Simply because it’s a shorter trip and it’s harder to get back there in case you wanted to see them. If the goal is to get to the Bahamas as quick as possible, the usual stop is Antigua and then start another leg from there

[@pauljamison3340]

Great video, very informative!!!! “Vivian Vane”

[@joeltatham5673]

Thanks for answering all the questions. I’ve got a quote for one, but until I can get back to the boat I can’t do anything. One question, in your opinion is it worth waiting until I’m planning to sail out of the Med before installing the hydrovane (quaysides, etc.)?

[@seethelittlethings]

Hey Joel, for sure a finger pontoon and stern to was really useful. You can tie down the boat quite hard and make it stop swaying for the time of installation and measuring. I’m sure it’s even possible on a buoy but we wouldn’t want to do it any other way.

[@seethelittlethings]

Also we didn’t really need it in the med. It probably would’ve been great. But it’s a lot mor active sailing and changing course. So we did like having the electric autopilot for that. But that’s our preference of course :). We mainly wanted it for the longer passages.

[@billd.3189]

Two great name suggestions , how about Calvin and Hobbs.

[@josephlai9759]

Thank you for sharing. Useful considerations for potential buyers. Why not call her Wendy?

[@rahnkeucher6788]

Name suggestion - how about Scarlett? We have a ginger cat named Scarlett, and she is the coolest cat ever.

[@olafschermann1592]

Thank you for that great explanation. How difficult is it to take the windvane rudder out of the water before mooring? Wind pilot and hydrovane are bashing each other especially about the off center topic. Were you concerned about it?

[@seethelittlethings]

Hey Olaf, kommt aufs Heck an. Wir haben nen sugarscoop und können direkt am Ruder sitzen. Es ist ein einfacher Splint den man entfernt und dann rutscht das Ruder nach unten weg. Sicherungsleine! Off center ist überhaupt kein Problem. Habe eben erst erfahren dass wind pilot eine marke ist..

[@popsoldboats3406]

Gee I need to start making wind vanes. That is a huge mark up on labor and material.

[@torpe2]

About the VAT tip, did you order to be shipped to Gibraltar or did you bought it from a local shop? Thanks!!!

[@seethelittlethings]

I’m not sure if you can even order it local. We ordered directly at hydrovane. It was shipped from England to Gib then :)

[@torpe2]

@@seethelittlethings thank you so much! Waiting for your next episode

[@davidaharon656]

Hi guys I'm looking for cheoy Lee ketch 45 to 53 project is okay to if you know any please let me know thanks 👍🙏

[@brentengle7302]

In reading some of the comments below, people in sailboats should not be so concerned about holding a course. Think of tacking. Now if you have a power boat you can still have problems with current and weather just as well.

[@Cptnbond]

Did you bought the Hydrovane direct from Canada, or from their representative in UK and ship it to Gibraltar (UK).?

[@markbailey6051]

My question, how is it straight down wind? Do you turn the vane 180? PS Good show!

[@MagellanXX]

Regarding your "dinghy problem".....would a similar solution like "Cpt Rick Moore" has built on his boat for his dinghy not also solve your problem?

[@davidclarke7728]

They really are expensive , they also take up a lot of room as you pointed out , so I think you need to make lots of ocean crossings to really want one , not really much use just for offshore , but your choice for you

[@ianb4801]

A number of reasons you chose HydroVane match mine but it's not problem free - at least from my experience it's not. Biggest thing was the installer (I didn't want to buy a heavy enough drill for example, as I'm Australian and had mine fitted in England, and have too many tools on board as it is) got things wrong and the unit was effectively twisted so that the HydroVane rudder didn't point exactly correctly. When motoring with the unit locked off, I needed to apply about 5 degrees of port rudder to overcome the error. Not hard to fix but a damned pest when I realised the extent of the problem during a squally solo crossing of Biscay recently. The installation instructions really understate the issue of alignment I think. Also not so easy for me to detach the HydroVane rudder as for you guys. I sail a Hallberg-Rassy 38 and the stern is pretty much cut off square, rather than having a sugar scoop and no way I will balance on my swim ladder to do the job, especially as I mostly sail single-hand. It does create a problem for me, although I really haven't found a new problem manoeuvring in marinas, just my boat reverses like a drunk pig anyway and I mostly dock bow in; stern docking presents that problem for me but what about all that expensive equipment projecting from the stern if you do? I really fear bending that shaft if I dock stern-in. I do have a clashing problem, a bit like with your bimini but worse - but I had no alternative, just the realities of my rear deck, which is fairly narrow too. Your sugar stoop is a bonus here as that puts your wind vane further aft of the solar arch than my stern does. I had a new solar arch made in England, and, while it's 7 feet high, there is a clash of the vane on one side. Can't be helped - the stern layout is as it is and, as the boom comes well back so I couldn't build the arch to be further forward. If it comes to being a problem on my upcoming solo Atlantic crossing, from here at Portugal, then I'll just sail an altered course. I bought the new, adjustable wind vane too, instead of the one you have. I can slide the vane up and down, mostly to help with the clashing problem, and that it's broader too gives me a wider range of adjustments than with the your standard vane or the dumpy vane option.. An issue that I have noticed though, that you didn't mention, is that when sailing upwind, the mainsail is apt to dump wind onto the vane and it's that, rather than any sheltering from the dodger, that I watch out for.

[@philandlyndachristieson8808]

Our autopilot has taken us twice around the world, just like using a windvane you have to get your shit together. As in the next wind shift can put your boat on the reef. If the engineering is right one system is no better than the other. Phil and Lynda

[@DriftfishCo]

Call it Cookie after Cpt Cook, the famous navigator.

[@brianstewart2032]

Vey informative, You can name your vane Mariah since that is the name of the wind. i.e. there is a song named Call the wind Mariah.

[@TroyaE117]

Just remember when you have been using the Hydrovane for a long time and your main rudder will have been centred and locked, that the main rudder mechanism will be fretting in one place for days at a time. Make sure you re-lubricate the main rudder mechanism at regular intervals !

[@seethelittlethings]

Thanks for the tip! Thats a good one :)

[@makanimike]

names: Big Thing + Little Thing + Wind Thing

[@Stuwy2]

Call it Andrew Because that’s my name 🤣 Our auto pilot is called Keith

[@colinboniface194]

What a great summery... you could find lots of issues with lots of brands but none with the one you bought... exceptional.. If you don't know what you want, just eliminate what you don't want, and there ya go... right in front of you...

[@jefflloyd394]

Should watch sheet to tiller steering 🏴‍☠️

[@lukecelt9000]

I named mine “Rastus” 😎

[@thomascooley2749]

Name it Richard when your out at sea you'll come up with some good jokes

[@gerbentvandeveen]

Mark, is a een goede naam. Mark , a pont on the kart.

[@curtisstrain9709]

Archie, the wind vane.

[@andrewroberts8341]

How about about “steer”

[@steveclancy6474]

Winston the wind vane

[@keysersmoze]

I have heard that if you rename a boat, you must have a virgin pee on the boat to please the sea gods. I am also convinced I must outfit my future blue water boat with a hydrovane. Researching wind vanes is how I came upon your channel. That is all I know.

[@roycox3701]

Mr Hyde

[@Mechone11]

You forgot #1 it's a great Canadian company. Check out " breaking waves sailing "west coast of Canada sailing at its best Cheers from Canada

[@goeasy1232]

Now just wait a minute old boy.... Made in Britain

[@Mechone11]

@@goeasy1232 Owned by Canadians old boy and is a Canadian company based in Vancouver

[@goeasy1232]

@@Mechone11 Ah, but invented by a Brit, designed by a Brit.... Top trumps.... Mind you as long as Germans and Dutch buy them etc!! ;)

[@mobilixone1575]

Hydrovane was inventet and developped in GB in the 80ties by Derek Daniels who sold the company to John Curry about 2001 - it‘s still produced in GB, developpement came to a halt.

[@stevennieman9837]

Wilson misschien?😃

[@secondstartotheright]

Names: Strouse, Limburg and Bob

[@japemerson684]

Name = Paka’a ...Hawaiian god of wind and inventor of the sail in Hawaiian mythology

[@PaulBartomioli]

I watched another video on vanes by a manufacturer and found out how you cracked the bracket. You tightened up the wrong bolts first. You did it intuitively, which in this case was wrong. For the record, a friend outfitted his mono with a wind vane, in 1967. There was no such thing as an autopilot.

[@seethelittlethings]

Haven’t cracked the bracket, all is well :)

[@PaulBartomioli]

My error. It was another boat that was installing a wind vane.

[@theottovanpagel]

You could name her “Carley”as she is so vain she probably thinks this song is song is about her.

[@rossipop]

Name: Hydrovane ....Your welcome pickle and sausage. Much hugs safe sail .......

[@rmhollin25]

Lord Vaner

[@bobbybaldeagle702]

The name for the wind vane if it is mine I'd be calling it either Grace or blessing.... Because it's by the grace of God you're able to get one... And the blessing to have one.. As for the dinghy as an easy one James. As in James's chauffeur the DNA takes you where you got to go it's so for you from here to there so James the chauffeur... LoL 😹😆😹😆... Well at least that makes sense in this old biker's head... LoL 😂🤣😂🤣 Well you kids be blessed in Jesus name... BBE 🤗🤗

[@DrAlcopops]

WIND VAIN NAME- Roger DINGY NAME- kleines Ferkel

[@sebastianurban8151]

Name it, “Fidel”

[@ruedigerrekate4906]

Toddler

[@bevanhill5648]

Call the windvane popeye

[@CapoPina]

WIND VAIN NAME- Blauer Wind or Blue Wind DINGY NAME- Meute

[@sergest-pierre6160]

Not a fan of wind vane, but no electricity autopilot and back up rudder are a big advantage.

[@davidmoore5021]

Wind vane- Wilson. Dingy- Batty.

[@NomadSurvivor]

I’m a little disappointed in the amount of research you guys did regarding wind vane systems and the fact you MISSED the 2nd biggest brand not to mention the Pioneer of the industry Dr Stellan Knoos. You know the Areospace Engineer who invented SailOMat ?? Since 1974 made and sold in San Diego. Not to mention the FAMOUS sailing moments like Naomi James in 1978 who did the Globe and used it to obtain the Fastest time around Cape Horn by ANY women. ( it’s women’s month so I had to quote that ). Then the #1 author all about Windvanes Bill Morris published The Wind Vane Self Steering Handbook. Ya guys. Please if you’re going to cover a topic use Google if it’s a new topic for you and fully research the product your going to discuss. The SailOMat is the most reliable , least scientific mind to use required Windvane made and is far more reliable in both light and Force 9 winds than any Hydrovane. Hydrovane is over priced and it DOES require sail trimming and maintenance. When you do a crossing with your new one, you’ll see.

[@NomadSurvivor]

Ps. SailOMat will ship anywhere anyhow you like. They’ll go as far as having another cruiser deliver it to you if possible

[@robertspray2717]

How about Wendy?

[@PuntBamaPunt1972]

Naming mine "Ed" for Captain Edward Smith. 😁

[@secondstartotheright]

Question? Iv got a question, Who put the bomp in the bomp bah bomp bah bomp Who put the ram in the rama lama ding dong?

[@michaelcarman4875]

way too much money for regular person

[@skulijakobsson5116]

Dumb and dumber. My name suggestions. 😱😜

[@SOLDOZER]

Just another copy/paste of all the other sailing channels. I'm out.

[@seethelittlethings]

Hahahah we too 😂🤣 we haven’t posted in more than a year 😉

[@seethelittlethings]

And this video is like what over 2 years old 🤣

[@SOLDOZER]

@@seethelittlethings Yeah another dead sailing channel. KZbin is a graveyard of dead sailing channels. The chick always gets pregnant or they realize being a fake KZbin sailor is exhausting and a lot of work. Most last about 2 years then throw in the towel.

[@seethelittlethings]

Hahaha the amount of old sailing channels is less than the amount of arm chair sailors that complain, bitch and moan about people providing free content for a while whilst living their dream and then returning to normal life 😘

[@bussi7859]

Crap