Wind vane explanations by Don McIntyre, GGR2018 founder

#GGR2018 classroom in Marina Rubicon- how does a Windvane self steering work and what is the difference between a servo pendilum system and an Auxilary rudder system....

[@SCCFORUM]

At last, someone who has explained how a wind vane works for thick people like me👏😀 Cheers, Paul.

[@peterosborn6056]

I agree wholeheartedly!

[@espedale]

Excellent description. The best one by far; even better than the hydrovane company’s in-house videos!! We just purchased a boat in the Sea of Cortez with a Hydrovane system and we were freaking out about not knowing how to use it. Your video made us not only less nervous but also excited to give it a go!! Thank you!

[@sandyt4343]

The most understandable explanation for something that has always puzzled me as to the disadvantages or benefits of either. Now I completely understand how they work but it has convinced me that I should buy a hydrovane rather than building one in my shop. Time well saved I think.

[@MusicWorld-zy6dl]

Thanks a lot for your amazing explanations making a fairly complex topic so easy to understand. You really do know how to make things clear.

[@bozidar.dimovski]

i have no idea about anything nautical but this was an excellent explanation, makes me want to buy a hydravane because of the mechanics of it. The only place i can install it would be on the roof of the house as an piece of kinetic sculptural artwork and watch it when there is enough wind. Magic Happens!

[@solemgameinsights]

Fantastic explanation! This actually explains how it works in useful terms, other videos just discuss mechanics and other nonsense that is irrelevant. Thank you!

[@HarryStucklermendotcom]

This is the best explanation ever !!!

[@romeowhiskey1146]

Excellent demonstration of BOTH types!

[@leov4187]

I m looking at the CAPHORN wind vane , different design and has very positive reviews.

[@MrDavewoolley]

As a simple dingy sailor looking to progress to cruising this was invaluable Don. Thanks. 👍

[@Beba-qv3db]

Sir, you explain that perfectly. Best part started at 12 minut. Thank you.

[@yvonnewhitehouse]

Well I have to say that was an amazing explanation and I now understand what I thought was a too complex idea to understand. Thank you Don love it!

[@benkanobe7500]

I have only raced as "Crew" on sloops of all sizes and done very little bay, near shore, or open ocean (well, San Diego to Catalina and back) sailing. I have seen these devices and wondered how they worked as the KZbins I watch they seem to work outstanding with a Captain of even just a little experience. I have had no clue HOW they work. This was *Perfect* explanation as for a non-technical person I understood it the first time through this KZbin. Thank you, Thank you! You would make a great Sailing Professor! I just subscribed.

[@iainhunneybell]

B marvellous explanation Don. Thank,you so much. Could not be clearer 🙂

[@eagleviewhd]

Great explanation. I definitely like the Hydrovane System! It seems so much simpler and easier to adjust!

[@Aeroswine1776]

May you fare well, Nabil. Thanks Don, for such a thorough yet succinct and thorough explanation.

[@ronpirie]

Fantastic explanation. Very clear and logical. Thanks for your time

[@southernpaths2986]

Add me to the legions who finally are able to get our minds around this mysterious black magic that windvanes have always been to us… best video by FAR in explaining this in a way even I can understand.

[@joeblow1942]

Best explanation I've seen by far of both systems. Thank you! Looks like I need an auxiliary rudder system.

[@harmseberhardharmseberhard9908]

Perhaps better think twice about what system you really need to have. The auxilliary rudder system uses the weak power of the wind not only to move the auxilliary rudder itself but also the mentioned gearbox with a lot of friction. So in weak appearent winds it won't work well, especially in condions with weak following winds. And even more so with big following seas, where the power of the waves will more push the auxilliary rudder, and via the rudder the windvane than the other way. Whereas a servopendulum rudder system uses the same weak force of the wind only to turn the angle of the servo rudder, and the force of the waterflow on the servo rudder produces the necessary force to turn the main rudder of the boat. This servo rudder force is quite big. At a speed of only 5 knots about 300 pounds of thrust for an Aries. At 6 or seven knots accordingly even more. And this force turns the main rudder, which is much bigger than any auxilliary rudder, so it will correct the heading of the boat more promptly than any auxilliary rudder system. So a servopendulum system will work better in weak following winds due to less friction and the bigger force of streaming water (higher density) compared to the weaker force of airflow (lower density). And with higher wind speed and higher boat speed it's efficency will further increase. And the emergency rudder argument is also quite doubtable. A force, that destroys the main rudder (a tree in the water or an orca) will certainly destroy the much more lightly built auxilliary rudder as well. Especially if it has, like the Hydrovane, sheerpins to avoid seroius damage when hitting an obstacle in the water. So an emergency rudder should always be purpously built, big and strong enough to steer the boat in rough conditions and separatly stowed. There was once a study of Jimmy Cornell about the user satisfaction and the actual using time of windvane selfsteering systems of the participants of the Transatlantic Rallye for Cruisers. The difference between servopendulum rudder and auxilliary rudder systems was quite significant. This said after some tenthousands of miles of offshore sailing with an Aries and without ever touching the tiller outside the harbour. And planning to now buying a Windpilot Pacific light for my Allegro 27.

[@tonybarrios5045]

You are successful because now i understand the vane's basic principles!

[@davidmalone9022]

Yep, outstanding explanation. I've been on a boat with a Hydrovane; however, we motored so often and had seven aboard, so watches were easy to maintain with just the autopilot, so I never got a chance to really play with the vane to learn how it worked. Thanks. That makes complete sense.

[@svestancia]

This is just the video I was looking for. Wind vanes for dummies!

[@CaliRico2001]

Excellent explanation, thank you

[@tonywalker2372]

Great video with the info being presented in easy to understand terms, thankyou.

[@WallySchmidt-hn8xj]

Excellent explanation.

[@aprilyam1766]

Thanks, very clear explanation! I like you were using your hands to help us imagine the situation.

[@sailingBlueSky]

A very good explanation, thanks

[@tihodimitrov6427]

thank you for the helpful explanation and video!

[@007nadineL]

Oh thank you. Perfect explanation that I could understand. The money moment for me was when you pretended yr arms were the vane. .

[@pinkponyofprey1965]

Perfect explanation! No further questions, your honor haha! :D I saw some of these used in articles in National Geographic Magazine when I was a kid and I've wondered how these possibly could work??? I can sleep better now, thank you very much!

[@iwayini]

Thanks for the video. Makes great sense!

[@jtf2413]

Best video I've seen that explains how these work

[@JamieBowenSailingPlymouthUK]

Good explanation Don. I've always though a servo pendulum would be more responsive as you're using the power of the water (much denser and higher forces) to amplify wind movements and move the real rudder - which has been designed to turn the boat adequately, but, as you say, more complex and can't be used as an emergency rudder. Windvanes generally have a toughest job going downwind in conditions like the GGR have had this last week don't they? The effective wind is less (less force on the wind paddle). So, when doing 8kts through the water with 18 kts of true wind you only have 10 kts of effective wind to move the wind paddle, but you have large forces required to change course at 8 kts through the water!

[@PondusdeCopenhague]

Great explanation, thanks!

[@robinvalayden2196]

Thanks,,a real instructor ,,,make it so clear and easy,,

[@nickbenfell4327]

Great stuff. A clear explanation of the two systems.

[@MrCh1lll]

Wow very comprehensible explanation thank you very much Don 🙏 I have a Aries installed on the 43f Ketch I have boat to sail around the world ☺️ still haven't sailed it yet but hopefully soon 💪⛵🤩⛵😍🌍🐼❤️

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Wow ,super informative, good to understand how it works .Many thanks

[@lloydbartholomew3650]

Thnks for a very comprehensive explanation. Keep up the great works,

[@erkanpartal2560]

Thank you so much, what an explanation. Just perfect.

[@flyerplanet]

Very goog explanation. Tks ⛵⛵

[@ralph9987]

Wow great explain. I would love you to do a comparison between the two systems and include a practical session underway under different headings.

[@waughthogwaugh3078]

And another self steering system is where the wind vane deflects a trim tab on the trailing edge of the rudder.

[@iveywin]

Servo pendulum or aux rudder. Thanks for mentioning the brand names such as Hydrovane, Aries, Wind Pilot and Monitor Got it! Excellent summary!!

[@ParaAnchors]

Wind vanes are an excellent extra pair of hands to steer your boat. The Scanmar Monitor and Hydrovane wind vanes are built heavy-duty and owners of both companies provide great customer service.

[@philipizod89]

Thanks. Very helpful ☺️

[@davidvanniekerk3813]

Baie dankie/ Merci beaucoup/ Seht Danke. You explained it very good. The flip-flop-Windvane is most likely the cheaper one of the two types. Thanx a mil.

[@symphonyfarm2009]

Man I have learned so much following along this race!

[@pentachronic]

Great explanation. Helped me understand what's going on. Thanks.

[@MrBeracah]

Very clearly well explained. Thankyou

[@rb30athorn]

Best exp;anation Ive ever heard. Thanks!

[@andrewneely1652]

Thank you, very nice and clear explanation.

[@TxHornyToad]

I had a Windpilot pacific plus on my Swan 38. It did a good job in moderate winds but got overpowered in stronger winds if not on the wind. (A Swan 38 will sail itself on the wind) I often used a small electronic tiller unit to drive the Windpilot in light winds. I had an Aries wind vane on my Carter 30. Very strong but often hard to balance the boat due to the fin keel/IOR hull design.

[@cpgeorge4442]

i got 75 to 80 % understand how it works, thanks

[@marciogoncalves8821]

Obrigado , valeu sua live sobre leme de vento 🙏☺️ muito bom 😃

[@gpk7683]

Finally, I understand. Thanks

[@eddievest4096]

Nice vid. Very helpful. Thanks!

[@sparkeyjones6261]

Wow, you just explained it in a way that made me understand it much more thoroughly. Until recently, I figured windvanes were powered by magic. lol

[@jerrythornberry7070]

The very well explained

[@deborahdoyle6743]

Good job on windvane discussion

[@gusfring6795]

Thanks for this well done explanation 😀👍

[@jeffstrotman3905]

Very well explained. Thank you.

[@obyildiz]

thanks for the clear explanations!

[@stevebolszewski]

Thanks great explanation

[@whyh]

It seems to be the auxiliary system has less moving parts, while providing a backup steering system.

[@d3891]

Great Explanation!

[@guitarmanmark]

That was really helpful, thank you

[@johnsmith-iu1dv]

Very good

[@rogerchaseviola5118]

Great race, great videos. Fantastic coverage, thank you Don. Has there been a comparison done between Monitor and other servo pendulum systems? Pros and cons? Where might we find that?

[@SOLDOZER]

Aux Rudder does not have to be centered so you can still use you swim ladder. But it also does not lift out of the water when not un use.

[@serdarortac9610]

Well explained, thanks

[@stevepidgeon6549]

Great video. Thanks

[@uuugberns]

well done thank you, next time please do something with that microphone :-)

[@joshmccarthy7943]

Great video mate explain well always set the vain to the wind Direction neural then it will keep your corse I fly planes same with wind drift and correcting dead reckoning

[@FX5067]

Very good explanation except for one thing: is flip port and flop starboard or is it visa versa?

[@KrunchyJD]

Wouldn't the natural heel of the boat in the wind stuff that up?

[@raddude206]

Is there a size limit on boats that can use the auxiliary rudder system?

[@johnheav]

This is a fantastic video! Thanks so much.

[@stuartsutherland7664]

What kind of self steering gear does "Wave Rover" use?

[@forelasningarcthlindholmen5642]

Excellent. Thanks :)

[@operator0]

SO, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each system. Obviously, the rudder type can be used as an emergency rudder, but what else?

[@patrickw8302]

Nice Job !

[@jonnorousseau3096]

Auxiliary rudder vane for me, you cannot discount the massive safety benefits of a secondary steerage system, especially if solo or short handed passage making

[@louissanderson719]

Yep. Saw a video of a guy who’s tiller fell off in pretty rolly seas. Used the back up rudder and then the vane to regain composure

[@retrotrancechannel6470]

Great explanation, but I'm left with one more question: how do you "switch off" the wind vanes? I suspect pulling it out of the water is too much of a hassle. Can it be locked in a neutral position or so, if you don't want to use it? Thanks

[@donmcintyre6037]

yes you just lock the windvane verticle and the rudder tracks behind....

[@fredmercury1314]

Why not some sort of wind powered gyroscopic compass thing?

[@lungarotta]

Great explanation! Just what I was looking for, thanks a lot Don! May I ask you another thing? What was the problem with Kevin's Hidrovane?

[@donmcintyre6037]

nothing...he just had to get a better feel for it and he wanted to head to the mountains.!

[@josephesposito4212]

Excellent!!!

[@BrunoWiebelt]

best explanation ever heard ... but you prefer the auxiliary ruder system with good arguments (backup ruder system is my winning argument). why is the pendulum system still existing? ... it seems more complicated, sensitive and hard to set up? evolution should nocked out them but they are still there why?

[@akathesquid5794]

because the pendulum is better in many ways also - more powerful (hydrovane type limited by aux rudder size and efficiency tradeoff), more sensitive (read that as accurate not a liability) due to better use of power, uses boat's rudder as designed, cheaper...lots of people still prefer pendulum for good reasons

[@BrunoWiebelt]

@@akathesquid5794 thank you ...its still is a choice with route to go ... its always a tradeoff

[@faksen13]

Is a windpilot pacific plus, with rudder and pendelum in one machine, more sensitive and steers in lighter winds than Hydrovane or the pendelum that use the boat tiller/rudder?

[@katecrone514]

what is the largest size yacht you could use a windvane 18m?

[@micheldawes1]

Thanks Don. One question in regards to redundancy - If the ships’ rudder fails, or is damaged, can the pendulum vane be locked in place to make the vane a servo rudder?

[@davidaharon656]

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

[@Kitiwake]

No trim tab system.

[@jaghook]

I have a long deep straight keel,,,when on a course, my rudder is sometimes a little to either port or stabd permanently ,,,,QUESTION,,,,Does the boats rudder have to be centred or tied off a little to port or stbd,,,,,or should the boats rudder be centred at all times when using the vane.

[@edwardfinn4141]

james wyatt Just Balance the sails as best you can, then steer the boat with he rudder and lock the rudder in place. The Hydrovane will add the little bit of rudder necessary to sail the boat on course....

[@JohnGTynan]

My take on this is that you generally prefer the hydrovane. However is one type more adapted to a certain type of boat eg fin keel, long keel, or is it the same advantage across the board?

[@benlindner5285]

Don was a dealer for Hydrovane and they were an exclusive sponsor of the race. Other manufactures cried foul!

[@NormBaker.]

Thanks. Don't sail but always want to know.

[@Ron-hj1or]

And what is better.?

[@privatesliders5326]

can you give us a microphone tutorial, ive never seen that technique before.

[@burnsnight1]

Great video. Does it work just as well close hauled? That is up wind.

[@edwardfinn4141]

caspar works even better upwind close hauled....

[@mariquevandermerwe8516]

can i put this in my car