In addition to having the Emergency Rudder, the combined effect of two rudders working together (your boat’s main rudder, and the Hydrovane rudder) is perhaps the most significant performance advantage of a separate auxiliary rudder system.

Natural Stability

For downwind sailing in particular, the main rudder can provide the greatest yaw resistance only if it is fixed. Think about all that extra wetted surface area below the water.

To this natural stability the nimble Hydrovane rudder is tempered to the conditions resulting in yet further yaw dampening – which means a more comfortable ride, a straighter course and less potential to lose control in bad seas and risk: broaches, crash gibes and knock-downs.

Not only that, you will often lock off the main rudder in a position that is slightly off center – to eliminate weather helm.

“Overall when Helga is working she is amazing. Her ability to sail the boat smoothly and quickly astonished me even after reading various reviews before we purchased. My wife is a bit prone to seasickness and we clearly notice the difference as soon as Helga is engaged or dis-engaged.”

– Hallberg Rassy 412 Owner

Save Wear on Boat’s Main Rudder and Bearings 

Sailors who cover many miles often think of this first!

“So, I must tell you, and I mean this sincerely, the Hydrovane is simply a game changer for Quetzal. It’s just great and performs better than I expected…

One other feature of the vane that I really appreciate is that it eases the load on the rudder and rudder bearings.  Quetzal was built in 1986 and I just did a big rudder job, rebuilding the rudder and changing the bearings; a big job. But by keeping the wheel locked, the rudder bearings have been loading on these recent passages, which is just fine with me.”

– John Kretchsmer, Offshore Sailing Instructor, Kaufman 47

The Hydrovane Rudder

For nearly 30 years the rudder has been made of solid nylon poured into a mold. It is likely the largest piece of solid nylon you will ever see! Over the years as cruising boat size has increased, various improvements have been made – now larger and thicker for bigger and faster boats – producing more power with less force required to move it.