From: Phil
Sent: February 18, 2017
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Blue Hound schooner 14.6 m; 23 T

Hi Will

Just a quick update. Got delayed in fitting the unit, finally completed in Las Palmas because I was very fussy about alignment. Fitted vane and left for Barbados same day, 19 Jan. The unit was in command for almost the whole voyage, 3,200 miles. We had 12 days of F6-7 gusting 8 with big seas. Had to use high gain setting on unit in heavy conditions. 3-10 degrees of rudder offset worked fine depending on conditions.

Backwash from the main meant that the unit was less responsive on port gybe (we gybe downwind, never run). We had absolute confidence in the Hydrovane, and when we snared a fishing net round the main rudder with 1000 miles to go it was relief to think that we had the ‘spare rudder’ – conditions were too rough to attempt removal and anyway, we still had steerage with the main rudder and the net eventually disappeared after 800 miles during a gybe.

Only concern is that unit seemed to develop a groan after 2000 miles when heavily loaded. I suspect a bearing. Bolts etc are fine. is the bearing just HMPE or ball/roller? I will check for play when we reach Bequia. There was no binding at all when fitted, and none now. Sleeves on the drive fork have always rotated freely (and I checked them under load – still have my fingers…!)

Overall absolutely delighted. Bonus was not having to generate 200 AH per day for main electro-hydraulic autopilot. We only used it to assist with gybes in the heavy winds.

Thanks for all your help, will send video and photos etc in due course

Phil

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