From: SAILMAIL Patrick Whetter
Sent: March-23-15
To: Valerie Williams
Subject: Whetter Nautitech 47 Cat model VXA2D

Hello Valerie,

After sailing around 6000 miles now with our Hydrovane on our Nautitech 47 Catamaran, I just wanted to drop you a line to congratulate you on what a great piece of kit it really is. Rarely have I bought something in this Marine industry that simply does exactly what its meant to and performs so well. Beyond steering us flawlessly through all the conditions we have met so far, it has also been an amazing conversation starter in most ports when people say “I’ve never seen/didn’t know you could mount one of those on a Catamaran, how dos it work?” To which I reply “its absolutely brilliant and I haven’t found a condition it won’t steer the boat in yet!”

So yes, I like it and think it just brilliant!

My only query to you is about the Nylon sock that fits over the wind vane. Ours is just coming up to one year old and has sailed around 6000 miles and has pretty much come to the end of its life, due to Sun damage. ( Small use in the Med, an Atlantic crossing, Caribbean cruise and now on our way to Galapagos) When its not in use, its taken off and stowed out of the Sun so Id say its seen around 5-6 months UV exposure.

Having had my own sailmaking company for 15 years I’d like to think I have some knowledge on sailcloth.

As you are also probably aware there are many different qualities of sailcloth available, which might look similar from new, but soon show their differences. Seeing the quality of the rest of the equipment, I don’t believe you would cut corners over a few dollars worth of Red Nylon, but I’m wondering why its given up so quickly or if your supplier has changed something without telling you? There is also the fact that Red is about the worse color there is for absorbing UV and degrading! Had you ever thought of doing the socks in White?

Anyway, I hope my query is seen as “constructive” and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Editor’s note:  We appreciate the comments. We’ve looked extensively at other materials, but the rip-stock nylon always comes out on top because it is lightweight, flexible enough to get onto the frame, but won’t stretch out. The weight is the most important factor from a performance standpoint. Red is a safety color at sea]

Kind Regards,

Patrick Whetter
Shine of Exeter