From: Andy
Sent: August 29, 2011
To: Valerie Williams
Subject: Bearings for Hydrovane

Hello Valerie,

Since we were last in touch from Bermuda last summer we have gone back to the UK and bought a different boat. This vessel, as you have probably guessed, is also fitted with a Hydrovane steering.

We now have a Hallberg Rassy 42 and the Hydrovane steered her beautifully during the 1,300M trip down to Madeira from the UK last week; we managed to try out most points of sailing with the vagaries of North Atlantic weather.

Best Regards
Andy Warman
s/y Spruce
Porto Santo, Madeira

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From: Andy
Sent: August-30-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: RE: Bearings for Hydrovane

Hi Will,

I believe the Hydrovane was new in about 2007-2008 before the previous owner sailed in the ARC 2008.

In all honesty I was a bit worried before we sailed the HR42 as to whether the Hydrovane would have enough guts to steer her. Particularly because the extra lever arm between the boat’s pivot point and the Hydrovane rudder was not a lot more than the distance from pivot point to main rudder…but it was all fine and probably also helped by the boat’s design (an older Enderlein) having a high degree of directional stability with quite a long and deep fin keel. Anyway, we are very pleased indeed.

Best Regards
Andy