From the blog of SV Bremer Speck:

In a previous post I mentioned “Emma”, our “Hydrovane” wind vane. A wind vane is also referred to as a self-steering and or emergency steering system. The Hydrovane employs an auxiliary rudder to perform its duties and does it extremely well.

Just a couple of weeks ago, on our way to Bermuda, we got caught in a Nor’easter for almost 3 days with sustained winds of 60 knots and very confused seas! A normal autopilot would almost certainly have blown its pump trying to cope.

Not the Hydrovane!

Emma steered our yacht through it all, while the crew of Bremer Speck sat “high and dry” inside the pilothouse, protected from the elements. I have owned this Hydrovane for almost 7 years now and am extremely happy and satisfied! It is not cheap but worth every penny! I would not want to be without it and I use it every chance I get.

A wind vane uses…, guess what?…, …the wind!… to steer the vessel. Thus, unlike the typical autopilot which you hear grinding below deck, a wind vane is totally quiet. No noise whatsoever! All you hear is the water rushing past the hull. Peaceful and quiet.