From: stewart hawley
Sent: May 16, 2017
To: Will Curry
Subject: RE: 43 ft Custom aluminum sloop

Well I’ve got about 1400 knots under the belt now not a lot I know but enough to do a reasonable check out of the hydrovane. Most of by myself all of with me at the helm.

The hydrovane worked as advised in all conditions, reefed in high winds down to 4 to 5 knots which is my minimum. High into the wind, a beam, aft quarter and 120 aft.

The quality of the hydrovane is more about the quality of the man’s skill. When I was right it was right. In all that time only once was it not in total control and even then I used it as an assist. I had a aft quarter wind and a following sea with 4 to 6 ft waves. The boat has a 7 knot hull speed & I was doing 8 to 9. The problem came as I slid down the waves which was about every 3 or 4th wave.

Other than that it works beautifully every time and any time I thought it was at fault I got tutored in correct sailing form.

Thanks for giving me the confidence to go ahead with the hydrovane.

Stewart Hawley on Geezer

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