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“Your assistance with sorting out our issue is much appreciated. Particularly as we have had an Auto pilot failure!”
“Thank goodness for Heidivane.”
From: Sarah C.
Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2026 1:23 PM
To: connor@hydrovane.com
Subject: Replacement shaft
Hi Connor and Will,
Just wanted to let you know the new longer pole is in place and very happily doing it’s thing. Just fits in perfectly for the tender and gives plenty of space for the vane to operate.
Your assistance with sorting out our issue is much appreciated. Particularly as we have had an Auto pilot failure! Thank goodness for Heidivane.
“We are very happy with our hydrovane and have used it 90% of the time since departing New Zealand.”
From: Douglas P.
Sent: Monday, September 07, 2026
To: will@hydrovane.com
Subject: Watt&sea hydrogenerator
Hola Will. I’m thinking about ordering a watt &sea to install on my 2003 outbound 44.
I bought a hydrovane from you all earlier in the year and you shipped it to New Zealand. I am presently at Reunion island preparing to depart to Durban. What model do you recommend and what would be the total cost including shipping, mounting brackets, spares etc. to Durban …
We are very happy with our hydrovane and have used it 90% of the time since departing New Zealand .
We look forward to your reply
S.V. Night Star
Link to recent Around Britain voyage!
“…in the 11 years we have had ‘Vera the Steerer’ working for us, she has only missed 3 legs under sail, so that is an amazing record.”
Not sure if I told you but we have just completed a Round Britain circumnavigation in Wight Mistress, and apart from the last few days post the axle thing, Our Hydrovane, Vera the Steerer performed brilliantly under all conditions.
The link to our blog is here if you fancy a butchers:
Wight Mistress’s Round Britain Trip on findpenguins.com
At that time we were into the night watch, sailing around the Norfolk coast, having left Scarborough and heading to Lowestoft (14 miles) having lost the pin just outside Scarborough. Since then we did Lowestoft to Ramsgate (72 miles day sail) and then Ramsgate to Island Harbour, (125 miles overnight) arriving pm on Friday.
So in the 11 years we have had ‘Vera the Steerer’ working for us, she has only missed 3 legs under sail, so that is an amazing record.
Now back in Island Harbour with no long trips planned until 2027, I have time to sort myself out and give Vera a good bath and some TLC.
Steve.
“[I] have taken the boat for a long solo shakedown cruise to Tresco Isles of Scilly 500 NM. The Hydrovane performed excellently.”
From: Andrew B.
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
To: Will Curry
Subject: Hydovane fitted to Trade Wind 35
Dear Will
Enclosed photo of Hydrovane with H and A brackets. The boat had a central ladder and two exhausts on the starboard side. I cut and welded bottom right step support and moved to the right using two existing + another two drilled holes.
The inside backing plates shaped to fit with a pad of wet epoxy glass behind. I bought six 12mm A4 bolts of required length from my supplier (Westfield Fasteners).
And have taken the boat for a long solo shakedown cruise to Tresco Isles of Scilly 500 NM. The Hydrovane performed excellently. The nylon rudder needed anti-fowling but works well.
Best regards
Andrew
“I love not having to battle the maintenance and the power demand of an electric autopilot. The vane’s a lovely piece of simple, elegant engineering and is far more versatile than a lot of folks on the forums seem to give it credit for.”
From: Matthew Marsh
Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2026 3:53 PM
To: ‘Will Curry’
Subject: Hydrovane VXA2 on C&C 35 Mk.II
Hi Will & Sarah,
I hope you folks are doing well!..
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that our old Hydrovane VXA2 continues to work admirably, with absolutely no work needed since the last spare parts you sold us I forget how many years ago. If anyone tries to pull out the “but the Hydrovane is an ocean gadget, it doesn’t work for a lake or coastal boat” card, well, we are a perfect counterpoint: I have seen this thing maintain XTE of under 100m after five miles on our Lake Ontario passages. We rig it any time we’re going to be sailing for more than about two hours at a stretch. When I’m single-handing, it will hold the boat head to wind well enough under engine for me to work the mainsail. Even in shifty winds, where speed and direction are changing wildly every ten or twenty minutes, taking a few seconds to tweak the Hydrovane now and then is still a massive reduction in the skipper’s workload. I love not having to battle the maintenance and the power demand of an electric autopilot. The vane’s a lovely piece of simple, elegant engineering and is far more versatile than a lot of folks on the forums seem to give it credit for.
Best wishes, and hope to see you soon!
—
Matthew B. Marsh, P.Eng, MASc
marshmat@imap.cc
“I had a nice spicy down wind 25 knots of wind sail up to port Townsend yesterday. Wind against current caused some steep chop and the hydrovane did wonderful keeping me on course.”
From: Tim F.
Sent: Sunday, July 26, 2026
To: connor@hydrovane.com
Cc: sarah@hydrovane.com; Will Curry
Subject: Re: Tim Flowers – Tayana 47 – Hydrovane model VXA2D L(shaft length)/A/H
I had a nice spicy down wind 25 knots of wind sail up to port Townsend yesterday. Wind against current caused some steep chop and the hydrovane did wonderful keeping me on course.
“As I speak we are sailing 5 knots downwind jib alone, “Ruth” is steering flawlessly, +/- 5 degrees. We’re learning what works and it seems like the 2nd position works well in 2-3’ swell/waves.”
From: Tim Jenne
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2026
To: connor@hydrovane.com
Cc: Sarah Curry; Will Curry
Subject: Re: Tim Jenne – Kaufman 47 – Hydrovane model VXA2D L(shaft length)/A/H
We’ve been sailing with our newest crew member up into Canada, East side of Vancouver Island.
As I speak we are sailing 5 knots downwind jib alone, “Ruth” is steering flawlessly, +/- 5 degrees. We’re learning what works and it seems like the 2nd position works well in 2-3’ swell/waves.
Earlier today we sailed in the early morning Qualicum winds of 20 knots close reach in short period 2-3’ chop, she did very well.
We named her Ruth because the name means faithful companion. Famous Biblical references “ For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
Ruth 1:16 NKJV
Seemed right.
Thanks, we’re doing a longer day to arrive at Campbell River covering 48NM a great trial for this amazing kit. Refined to the simplest solution.
Tim Jenné
timjenne@gmail.com
Cell: (206) 962-1510
SAIL TRAINING:
@new.adventures.sailing
http://newadventuressailing.com
“Valerie (David’s name for our Hydrovane) is a favorite extra crew on board Sahula.”
“I came to appreciate her charms during various Tasman sea crossings.”
Lin Pardey is an icon in the sailing world. Her ultimate legacy is proof that true safety and freedom at sea come from personal resourcefulness, skilled seamanship, and mechanical simplicity rather than high-tech gadgets. She is well versed in self steering windvanes, and we are honored that she now sails with a Hydrovane.
From: Lin Pardey
Sent: Tuesday, June 09, 2026
To: connor@hydrovane.com
Subject: Re: RE: Lin Pardey | 40 foot sloop
Valerie (David’s name for our Hydrovane) is a favorite extra crew on board Sahula. She spent several years ensuring David and Sahula steered a good course across the Atlantic and Pacific. And I came to appreciate her charms during various Tasman sea crossings. She (and I) would be pleased to be seen together on your social media.
Lin
“We crossed the Atlantic in December in dreadful conditions ( 25knot, squall 40kn daily, 4m seas ). The hydrovane piloted us through seamlessly.”
From: Claire N.
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
To: sarah@hydrovane.com
Cc: brooklyn@hydrovane.com
Subject: RE: Parts Order
Hi Sarah,
I hope you are well.
It took me a while but here are some photos of the vane installed on our moody.
It has been the best thing for us. We crossed the Atlantic in December in dreadful conditions ( 25knot, squall 40kn daily, 4m seas) . The hydrovane piloted us through seamlessly. Occasionally we had to reset or take over in the squall but ever so rarely. We are thoroughly enjoying it. Definitely a must have for any boat.
All the best.
Kind regards
Pacific Crossing update: “We ran the Hydrovane 24/7 and it really did a sterling job and was part of the team.”
From: Clynton W.
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
To: Will Curry
Subject: Njorth Clan Pacific crossing
Hi Will and team
Just a quick note to say how great the Hydrovane worked on the Pacific crossing. We ran the Hydrovane 24/7 and it really did a sterling job and was part of the team.
I did upgrade the bottom Budgen bolts from the supplied 10mm to 12mm unthreaded so a huge increase in strength after the 10mm broke while crossing the Atlantic – no issues with the 12mm.
Just wanted to Thankyou guys for a great product that does exactly what it’s meant to.
Catchup somewhere soon
Cheers
Njorth Clan
[Editor’s note: Mounting holes in the casting flanges and required mounting bolts have been upsized to 12mm for the H Bracket and A Bracket]
“Our Hydrovane has steered us brilliantly the full 9,000 miles to get here, in every weather condition – and the boat weighs 26 tonnes. We could not be more delighted with it, particularly given we were warned that a hydrovane would struggle with a boat of our weight.”
From: Charles W.
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2026 11:36 AM
To: will@hydrovane.com
Subject: Watt and Sea mounting
Hi Will,
I am looking to install a second Watt & Sea hydrogenator on board Saecwen
Our existing W&S is mounted with the excellent Hydrovane brackets
Do you do mountings whereby 2 W&S units can be installed on the Hydrovane using the same bracket– ie one long bracket which can mount a W&S each side of the Hydrovane?
FYI Saecwen is currently in the Galapagos Islands having left the UK last May. Our Hydrovane has steered us brilliantly the full 9,000 miles to get here, in every weather condition – and the boat weighs 26 tonnes. We could not be more delighted with it, particularly given we were warned that a hydrovane would struggle with a boat of our weight
“We are enormously happy with your product; that being both practical and not least philosophical. We simply find it more in line with our way of cruising and are more safe/comfortable with the HV compared to an electronic pilot.”
From: Michael J.
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2025 12:18 AM
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Hydrovane – Bolts working lose on H-bracket
Dear Will,
Thanks a lot for your detailed feedback. Highly appreciated!
***
We have used a lot of time on the HV, and perhaps the hull of our Oceanis 50 is not quite strong enough for the forces in play with the HV. But we are enormously happy with your product; that being both practical and not least philosophical. We simply find it more in line with our way of cruising and are more safe/comfortable with the HV compared to an electronic pilot.
The pacific passage was long but our Atlantic passage was harder. Around 2 weeks of between 20 and 25 knots in mean wind (and much more in the gusts) and the associated sea state of around 3m day in and out. The HV performed very well although the swell some time did pose a challenge. But with the right setting and sometimes patience the HV worked very well.
“Our Hydrovane is amazing. We don’t know how we lived without it!”
Hi Will,
Our Hydrovane is amazing. We don’t know how we lived without it!
A quick question… the spacer at the bottom of the shaft, just above the rudder, is loose. As you know, it is retained by the key and can’t slip off the shaft. It appears to have an allen screw that must have loosened.
Please advise how I should secure it.
[Editor’s note: If the bottom collar has slipped down you simply slide it back up, leave a credit card thickness gap between the collar and bottom bearing and tighten the set screw. The new version of the collars is stainless steel which you should have, so no issue with over tightening it. You could apply a dab of Loctite to the set screw but this must be done in calm conditions, so you don’t lose it overboard.]
Thank you,
Jim
SV Breeze
P.S. We are in Bora Bora, and continuing west.
“I was paranoid that it would not fit under the solar panel / shade arch but it fits beautifully.”
“…she is now called Celine! The phonetic pronunciation appropriately being ‘sea lean’. “
From: Guy H.
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 2:24 AM
To: will@hydrovane.com
Subject: Hydrovane Installed … finally!
Hello Will,
My name is Guy and I purchased my Hydrovane way back in 2018! Finally after many delays, COVID etc our Hydrovane is finally installed! My Beneteau 361 ‘Sea Pearl’ is based in the Seychelles and my daughter Lily and I installed it a couple of weeks ago and took her for a test sail to the inner islands around Mahe.
I was paranoid that it would not fit under the solar panel / shade arch but it fits beautifully. Photos and video attached.
On the technical side, I chose to reinforce the transom at the ‘H’ bracket with 20ml marine ply and generous quantities of Sikaflex 291. I considered epoxy but I thought it was too difficult to get it done well enough to be effective.
We found soaking the vane fabric in water and using a mild dish detergent on the frame worked very well. (Given my only other option was a spray can covered in written mandarin of ‘butter grease’ the detergent was a good option!)
Our test sails were in quite strong winds between 20 and 30 knots and I opted for the middle setting. Our last sail was upwind about 30 nautical miles from La Digue to Mahe.
Lastly I asked my daughter to christen her but she said she needed to wait to see what her personality and performance were like. Well we now have! Given the Hydrovane is from Canada, the boat is made in France and it performed beautifully she is now called Celine! The phonetic pronunciation appropriately being ‘sea lean’.
I have also taken the Operation Manual advice and I am now cutting down my 140% genoa. We plan a trip to Kenya later this year and I am looking forward to it with the help of Celine.
Thank you for a superb piece of kit and for the great help and support.
Happy sailing
Guy
“I’m happy to report that it did great on our recent 2700nm passage from Cabo San Lucas, MX to Hilo, HI.”
“Definitely the MVP of the passage.”
From: Rodd B.
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 11:40 AM
To: Will Curry
Subject: Fwd: Congratulations on your new Hydrovane!
Good day,
It’s been quite a while but I wanted to give you a final update on our Hydrovane install for our Island Packet 379, Tasi. As you remember its a bit unconventional being offset pretty far to accommodate our dinghy on davits. I also ended up reinforcing the upper section of the heading tube to the arch.
I delayed this update until we had a solid test of the install. I’m happy to report that it did great on our recent 2700nm passage from Cabo San Lucas, MX to Hilo, HI. We had all points of sail at some part of the trip and the stronger the winds got, the better it worked. We were on a starboard tack for a week leaving Cabo and had no issues with rudder authority when heeled.
All in all we are very pleased with our Hydrovane who we have named Happy because he steers day and night without complaint while all the time waving happily to everyone. Definitely the MVP of the passage.
Thanks for your support during the install. I’ve attached a few photos.
