Incredible Performance – Heavy to Light
In tough conditions, don’t rely on an electronic autopilot or manual steering! The windier it gets, the better any windvane will perform.
Heavy Conditions
The Hydrovane is proven in over 50 years of ocean voyaging, and certainly in heavy conditions. The more wind there is, the better windvanes can perform. However, nothing improves a boat’s stability in a storm more than locking the main rudder in a fixed position. This ability is unique to auxiliary rudder systems like Hydrovane. The result is the Hydrovane rudder is steering a relatively stable boat.
The Hydrovane has two tools for adjusting sensitivity and power for the conditions. In heavy conditions, you are able to reduce responsiveness of the Vane (yes, REDUCE as there is so much wind) while increasing the Hydrovane’s rudder deflection. This makes for a much straighter wake, and tempers over-steering (which is the problem for other windvanes in strong conditions).
Frictionless in Light Airs
All windvanes have all the power they can use when the wind is strong… the real differentiator is performance in lighter airs.
The Hydrovane is a near frictionless system, which means it can still steer with very little apparent wind – down to a few knots. This continued ability to steer (where other windvanes would not be able to hold a course) is because of its internal engineering and the fact that, being independent, it doesn’t need to overcome friction in lines nor in your boat’s main steering system.
Stories with Happy Endings
We hear accounts from our customers all the time (search ‘Emergency’ on our Testimonials Page) and here are just a few of them
DO NOT USE / DELETE
In a gale it has a big advantage
“In a gale it has a big advantage because it is not steering the boat’s rudder, but has its own. This little rudder is far more efficient than the big rudder.”
– Jean Luc Van Den Heede, Rustler 36 in Golden Globe Race, commenting on Southern Ocean Hydrovane performance
Without it I would have been in distress.
“You will be pleased to learn that the Hydrovane saved both Summerbird and me.
Without it I would have been in distress.
…
The storm lasted 36 hours but as Summerbird went through the eye there was a lull between the two nights of 60-70 knots. The vane was lowered to about 45 degrees and was set 90 degrees to the boat’s heading. The ratio control was on the extreme left setting. The Hydrovane rudder was not lashed but the boat’s rudder was lashed midships.“
– Warrior 40 Owner, after the OSTAR 2017 encountered a massive storm
Surviving the Queen’s Birthday Storm
“In the Queen’s Birthday storm (6 yacht lost) the Hydrovane saved us days of exhausting steering and allowed us to pump, prepare food, rest, and make needed repairs.
While in the big following seas, averaging over 10 knots under bare poles, the Hydrovane steered, most of the time, while a crewmember simply sat behind the wheel, ‘riding shotgun’.
– SV Mary T, Cheoy Lee Offshore Rhodes 41
Winds were reported at 55 knots, and waves ‘boat length’ high
“Winds were reported at 55 knots, and waves in the region were at least ‘boat length’ high and quite steep with the currents. This was an awful night and I was very afraid for myself, the boat and my equipment – I had new found respect, trust and comfort in the Hydrovane after that.”
– Contessa 26 Owner
Passage from Hawaii to San Francisco included a heavy gale
“Our passage from Hawaii to San Francisco included a heavy gale in the last 600 nm with winds up to 50kts true (according to B&G). ‘Irene’ stayed on the same point of sail, with a triple-reefed main and a storm stays’l, while we stayed below, only popping up every 15 minutes to scan the horizon and marvel at the size of the waves.”
– Kelly Peterson 44 Owner
Storms up to Force 12 was not fun
“Believe me, single-handedly, single-handed in storms up to Force 12 was not fun and I would have betrothed myself to my “Harry” Hydrovane once I got back to land safely!”
– Contessa 32
Gale force 8 conditions, with gusts to 50 knots
“We sailed about 250 miles of the trip with deeply reefed sails in winds from 15 to 50 knots!! For the first time, we had to run downwind, under bare poles in gale force 8 conditions, with gusts to 50 knots – and don’t get me started on the sea conditions! Have you ever swallowed your tongue?
Oh, and iVane, our wind-steering partner. What a gem! It steered 230 hard miles without even nut rations. I don’t fully understand the genious of iVane, but I do fully appreciate its indomitable – even insouciant – response to provocative seas. I should see if it can do Wx forecasting.”
– Hallberg Rassy 39
Bora Bora to Suwarrow Atoll in 10-12 foot following seas
“Just two days ago, we were sailing from Bora Bora to Suwarrow Atoll in 10-12 foot following seas with only a double reefed main up. We hit speeds of over 12 knots as we went up and down in the swells. One minute we were on the top and then sliding down the face at breakneck speeds. All the time, ‘James’ kept us right on course.”
– Liberty 458
35-40 knots of wind and 20-25 foot seas on a broad reach
“‘James’ just got us from Funafuti in Tuvalu to Pohnpei (1688 nautical miles) doing 98% of the steering. That included 35-40 knots of wind and 20-25 foot seas on a broad reach. We only had up our small forestaysail and took three reefs in the main and we were still going well over 7 knots most of the trip. What a champ.”
– Liberty 458
Ability to steer safely on a dead run even when surfing is incredible
“This is undoubtedly the best piece of kit I’ve had on any boat ever. It replaced a much older servo pendulum gear and is just amazing in the band of wind and sea conditions it covers. In particular, its ability to steer safely on a dead run even when surfing is incredible, as is its light weather performance. I kept thinking, it just can’t be this good.”
– Westerley 33 Ketch
Light to heavy, the Hydrovane has handled it all.
“We have sailed about 4800nm with it since we installed it less than a year and a half ago. The trips have had the wind in every quarter, and on average 3-4 squalls a day. The winds have ranged from very light (8 – 12kts) to heavy (40 – 55kts). The Hydrovane has handled it all.”
– Maple Leaf 50
Through all weathers and conditions
“‘Henry’ (after the Navigator) has now completed 3 Transatlantic circuits plus a wee diversion up through Norway to Svalbard to chat with Walrus. Without complaint he has successfully steering my Rustler 36 through all weathers and conditions including the tail end of a hurricane and downwind for several days in very light airs. If he could just make cups of tea…”
– Rustler 36
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