So having fitted it – does it work? – the answer is a resounding yes from the outset. A couple of hours playing to find the best settings and I was completely happy. This is quite a feat as the winds in Croatia are very variable in both strength and direction so the windvane is constantly having to cope with changing conditions and slight variations in the balance of the boat. Not the easiest conditions to set up and evaluate.

At first we were wandering 6 to 10 degrees from the desired course but we soon tuned to within 3 degrees. In the winds we were sailing (between 6 and 16 knots generally ) for wind ahead of the beam about 20 degrees angle on the wind vane and position 2 on the ratio knob is about perfect. For abaft the beam the wind vane is best at 5-10 degrees and ratio in the third left most position worked best ( I have a large 125% genoa and no pole and this is a heavy long keel cutter).

The most challenging conditions are the beam and broad reaches ( where the boat is a handful at the best of times – well in Croatia with the constantly changing conditions). In fact the Hydrovane couldn’t cope at one point – but there again we were sailing a narrow passage ( of course) between islands and the wind was swinging by over 60degrees and changing strength constantly between 8 and 25 knots so I think that was probably a bit outside the design parameters for self steering! – it was quite a lot for me too – I only just have enough strength to hold the boat in these conditions. Great experiment though.

For running I found that using just the genoa ( no main) or genoa with staysail allowed the Hydrovane to work perfectly with winds down to as little as 6 knots up to 20knots without any change to the settings. ( and that is without poles – although I did try the boathook as a pole for the staysail at one point successfully). I haven’t dared try with the Gennaker yet – I think I need to practice with a really competent crew first for that to gain confidence.

The Hydrovane will not quite tack Slavonka – it will take the boat into wind but not through the wind. However using the Hydrovane to swing the boat up into wind and then nudging across with the main helm certainly made tacking easier, solo or very short handed.

The builder was working on boat 2 during my stay and I took the opportunity to take him out to evaluate the Hydrovane ( he has been very interested but sceptical about whether it would work and what it would actually do). It was a great day, again 10 to 18 knots of wind shifting 10 to 15 degrees – the sort of conditions that challenge a human being to get the best from a boat. Let’s just say that after 15 minutes he was totally captivated. Constantly checking wind direction, boat direction, track and speed – Didn’t take him too long to acknowledge that the windvane was doing a really good job as helmsman and he couldn’t take his eyes off it. Then letting him play with the control line – the ease and lightness of being able to change and trim course with a little finger absolutely delighted him. (and me). We sailed all points from Close hauled to run and the Hydrovane didn’t put a foot wrong. The ease of tuning course with the Hydrovane is also a powerful indication that Slavonka is inherently a very well balanced boat (which is most reassuring).

So from first impressions is wind steering viable in these changeable conditions? I would say absolutely – Looking closely at the GPS track there are certainly deviations in course along the track but the overall track from A to B followed the intended track well and of course by steering to the wind the speed of the boat was maintained – and it was very relaxing as well!

Best regards

Andrew