Steering the Dream

For the past six years, ethnographic filmmaker Olivia Wyatt has been sailing around the world. Juniper has carried her across the Pacific, through Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, and now into the Atlantic.

Before departing San Diego for Hawaii, Olivia had sailed solo for only six hours—and had never spent a night alone at sea.

Throughout her remarkable journey, Olivia has relied solely on her Hydrovane for steering. It is affectionately named Ruby in honour of her grandmother.

– Homepage photo: Olivia aboard Juniper @wildernessofwaves.

“1100nm from Martinique, during the night with 30/35 knots of wind and 3 to 5 meters waves, we heard 2 big noises like something hitting the boat on the side. Almost immediately the autopilot stopped working and the boat went beam to the waves…

When the day came I reestablished the sails and we finished the trip with the Hydrovane without any problems.

I saw on YouTube that two sailboats [also had steering problemsl. The crew had to abandon their ships and left both boats in the middle of the Atlantic.

It saved my boat.”

– Jacques, Amel Mango 52

Golden Globe Race Update, October 2018

“Jean-Luc Van Den Heede sailing the Rustler 36 Matmut, is now well out in the Pacific…

Speaking via Satphone to Race HQ today, the 73-year old Frenchman reported “Good winds today and yesterday…I try to go as fast as possible.”

He made repairs to his gennaker and was full of praise for his Hydrovane self-steering. “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 – Winner Golden Globe Race 2018 

“We’ve crossed to the Caribbean as of a couple weeks ago. We had a fast 18 day passage in strong winds, multi-directional swells and relatively few squalls. Rolly and Quick (sounds like a law firm you wouldn’t want to deal with?).

And, not surprisingly, iVane drove us door to door with quiet efficiency, no appetite and patience. We used the twin head sail set and it too was the answer for short handed crew.

iVane was voted the Passage Prize, 2700 down miles without a miss-step or whimper.”

– Brian, Hallberg Rassy 40 owner