Sceptre 43
“My jaw just sort of dropped a bit. The Hydrovane just worked like a dream. Perfect in fact. Just like you say – stand back and watch. One of the best 6k I think I ever spent my friend.”
From: Steve Dana
Sent: September-27-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: Pacific Wind
Hi Will,
Left Sceptre Marine/Shelter Island a couple weeks ago. Internal auto helm not working as we left the mouth of the Frasier at Steveston raising sail so set up the Hydrovane per instruction after balancing the boat and then…
Off we went in about 10-15kn just forward of beam.
My jaw just sort of dropped a bit. The Hydrovane just worked like a dream. Perfect in fact. Just like you say – stand back and watch. One of the best 6k I think I ever spent my friend. Sure glad my Raytheon auto helm was not working since it was my crutch that I was just simply reaching for first out of habit – silly after paying for this new wind vane! Played with the vane angle and ratio a bit, then ran down wind for awhile for a test.
To be perfectly honest, all the criticisms I read about Hydrovane frightened me and I was insecure or unsure of my decision until this inaugural event. It is true that these criticisms are all from “sailors” who have never used your vane, or are based on their theories; well, you know, I’m preaching to the choir.
Thank you!
Warm regards,
Steve Dana
Pacific Wind
Scepter 43
