True Stories

From: Peter Whatley
Sent: May-25-14
To: Will Curry
Subject: Fwd: hydrovane

Hi Will

I thought I would send this to you for your thoughts and comments.

Our boat is a Jeanneau Sun Odyseey 45. My son, William (aka Skip) is sailing back from Antigua to the UK via Bermuda and the Azores with his friend Tom. Both are very experienced sailors. William sailed across with me last November to the Caribbean. They wisely opted to sail to Bermuda first thereby avoiding the deep depression in which Cheeki Rafiki found herself.

Before leaving the Caribbean I fitted new bearings and stripped the system to clean and check. Everything was in perfect order even after many miles of use.

I am a big fan of the Hydrovane and am always extolling its virtues. Before passing comment on to fellow users I thought I would speak with you first to see what your thoughts might be regarding the cause of the failure.

Please be assured that my aim is to support and promote this excellent product.

Kind regards
Peter
Peter Whatley
Vice Commodore
Ocean Cruising Club

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From: Peter Whatley
Sent: Monday, June 2, 2014
To: Will Curry
Cc: John Curry; Sarah Curry
Subject: Re: hydrovane

Hi Will

The measurement of the shaft on our boat is 1190mm. I have asked William, my son, to check and double check and he confirms that this is the measurement.

I have attached a photo of the broken shaft for interest. The other photo shows the Hydrovane working well as our boat powers along at 10.3 kts.

Our top speed with the Hydrovane in control is 16.5kts but it was getting a bit wild so we put the inboard pilot on as well. This works really well and keeps the boat under control.

Kind regard

Peter

[Editor’s note: Fractured shaft from ‘crevice corrosion’ – an older ‘316’ shaft. The new ‘super duplex’ shafts are less prone to this]

From: Dan Alonso
Sent: May 26, 2014
To: John Curry
Subject: Brochures

Hi John

We bought HydroVane last year. I went off and did 4 Ocean races including an offshore rescue. STORY HERE.

As you may recall, I had difficulty with the install on the way to Bermuda.

Like all the other testimony, I just can’t say enough about it, it’s fantastic. I just did a solo, nonstop Charleston to Portland without my pilot. Winds 0 to 40 and the HydroVane was just perfect. Even under power in 8 foot trailing seas, heavy fog pulling into Portland it perform wonderfully. I had waves breaking on the transom with no canvas and it was fine . I can’t tell you how many times I look back at the vane and think it’s just Magic.

As I first started to use the HydroVane, I struggled. I doubted that it could steer the boat, too much boat. I was over correcting, not properly trimming the main sail, not using the rudder for gusts. On the other side of this learning curve, it just magic. Thank you so much. It’s the best money we’ve spent on the boat. The funny thing is that, $6k held me back. It took two years before we bought. The peace of mind, savings in energy consumption and the quiet, I’ll say quiet again! It’s by far the best 6K we ever spent.

I got my friend Bill on his HR 43 to get it. It’s being installed and I’ll be helping him dial it in.

Stanley Paris, is preparing to race around the world and has asked me about it. He’s sailing a Farr 63 but with similar displacement as Halcyon. His adventure is a green. I can’t say enough for the safety side of it. If possible a kick up rudder adapter would be good for his application. He may help in the production of such an adapter. His adventure is enormously publicized.

Approaching Maine, the lobster pots became more dense. I was concerned about damage to the vane if I got hung up. What are your thoughts on that? I also wondered about a kick up adapter with a shear pin for that issue. I’d buy it.

Because of the rescue, I’ve been asked to speak at a Seven Seas Cruising Association rally next month in Essex, CT. Although, HydroVane was not the star of the rescue story, it could have been. I didn’t have the time to practice and learn to use it. I now believe, it can make you a better sailor, keeping the boat in proper balance and matching the environment. I will be pitching it as a “must have” piece of equipment. I feel so strongly about your product. Honestly, It’s foolish not to have it. There will be about 40-50 offshore cruisers. Do you have brochures you can forward. They need to know HydroVane and what it can do. I’d like to put something in their hands. Halcyon’s getting a little bit of a name. I think we’ve got a website in our future and will be looking to help promote HydroVane as well.

Thank you

Dan Alonso

From: Graham Perry
Sent: May 9, 2014
To: John Curry; Will Curry
Subject: WattAndSea

Hi John and Will

Hope all is well! I am still in Toronto. Salty Ginger in in Antigua. Our new Hydrovane steered Salty Ginger effortlessly across the Atlantic in 2012.

I am very interested in the Watt@Sea Hydrogenerator and low and behold – you are a distributor.

…

Graham

From: Hellmuth Starnitzky
Sent: May 4, 2014
To: Will Curry
Cc: John Curry
Subject: Hawaii Passage

Hi Will,

Thanks for a great piece in April’s Latitude 38. Must have been fun!

In response to your April 16, 2014, e-mail to WDE7227:

We were sailing at an apparent wind angle of 120 degrees mostly on starboard tack in winds of 25+ knots. As the wind clocked further to the ENE, this being a cutter rig, we changed the sail plan and had the staysail set to leeward and a partially unfurled Genoa on a pole to windward. Winds increased to the high 20s and topped out at 36 knots true with big waves to 25′.

Heeding your advice to play around with the sail area to achieve as good a balance as could be had, the vane performed flawlessly and kept us at an apparent wind angle of 160 – 170 degrees. Hydrovane steered us for more than 2,500 nautical miles of the total of 3,118 nm on our way from Puerto Vallarta to Honolulu where we arrived a week ago.

“Lucy” is truly an amazing device, reliable and strongly built which afforded the crew a lot of comfort: knowing that also at night we did not have to worry about an accidental jibe, would stay on the same wind angle and had much time for other things like navigation, cooking and sleeping.

I was initially somewhat concerned about the start-up investment of purchase and installation but meanwhile think that it was the best upgrade to the boat which has paid a handsome return in terms of comfort and less wear and tear on the main steering system and autopilot. It just worked great!

When unshipping the Hydrovane rudder upon arrival, I noticed again a slight warp in the rudder’s shape. When holding the rudder such that I can look down its leading edge, there is a small but noticeable bend to the left, as mentioned before. Anything I can do to straighten the rudder? – I also noticed that along the center of the seam on the slanted top where one grabs the rudder, a number of small holes opened up as if some glue was washed out. I do not consider this a deficiency at this time but wonder if this may be a sign of beginning delamination of the two halves? As always, your comment is appreciated.

We will continue to Sitka, Alaska, at the end of June for the summer before eventually returning to the San Francisco Bay Area.

I attach a Word file being an editorial I sent to Latitude 38 about our crossing from P.V. As you can read, I mentioned Hydrovane as well.

This as an update. I appreciate your availability and promptness in rendering assistance and advice!

Best regards,

Hellmuth Starnitzky
“Ocean Echo”
Hallberg Rassy 45

From: Scott Waddington
To: Will Curry
Subject: Amble – Course setting wheel / Worm Stiffness

Hi Will

Hope you are well. I tried the Hydrovane for the first time the other day and got on very well all things considered. I used it for 3 hours from home port to Yarmouth in the Isle of Wight and by the time I got there I already had confidence in the Hydrovane. I clearly needed to do some tweaking but to all intents and purposes, it was working well. On the way back I had set up the course setting line up properly and was even tacking with the Hydrovane, leaving the tiller locked until on the new tack and then slightly adjusting back to the sweet spot.

However, this was a couple of weeks ago and I went out to Amble yesterday and was making a few adjustments, like fitting bunny cord to the rudder and I tried the course setting line (not sure why). To my surprise it was very stiff, the line just slipped on the pulley. When I tried to turn the pulley by hand, it was definitely stiff and I can’t work out what has happened.

I am sure this is something very simple indeed, so perhaps you could shed some light on it. I tried WD40 everything but that didn’t make any difference.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Scott

Scott Waddington
Managing Director
WicorMarine Yacht Haven
Cranleigh Road, Portchester, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 9DR
t 01329 237112 f 01329 825660

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From: Scott Waddington
Sent: May-01-14 12:43 PM
To: Will Curry
Subject: Amble – Course setting wheel / Worm Stiffness

Will

I should have read your Tips first!! I’ve just seen the note about the worm swelling and that it might need reaming. I will try this today so please don’t waste your time replying as I suspect this is the problem.

Many thanks
Scott

[Editor’s note: The Worm bearings/bushings can get a little too tight from heat and humidity. We thought we had this one licked but it does re-appear. Units that were perfectly fine in the shop and stayed OK for some time and miles finally started to seize up. A simple fix – ream out the two bearings/bushings with an electric drill. See Troubleshooting]

—

From: Scott Waddington
Sent:  July 03, 2014
To: Will Curry
Subject: One for the catalog?

Will,

Hope you and yours are well.

She’s been a dream, more obedient than any crew member and such a calm nature!

Regards,

Scott (of WicorMarine – as listed on our ‘INSTALLERS’ webpage)

From: Mike and Carol Kefford
Sent: May-01-14
To: Will Curry
Subject: RE: Hydrovane

Hi Will,

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to enquire about us. 2176 miles behind us and 924 to Fatu Hiva to go. The Hydrovane has steered all the way, except for sail changes and adjustments, when we neutralise him to hand steer to windward etc. The bracket is holding up well. It is checked every day and shows no signs of stress. Hurray! We have been experimenting with settings for the vane and variable control to get the best performance downwind in steep following seas, mainly to avoid gybing! However, strong winds 25 – 30 kts plus 3m swell and 2m crossing waves over the past 4 days have made life somewhat tense. All is well on board.

I will send a full passage report once we are at anchor and include some photos.

You will note the reference to the Hydrovane as “him”. I am sure it takes on a personality for everyone. Ours is called “Barrett” after Barrett Bonden, Captain Jack Aubrey’s coxswain in the Patrick O’Brian books.

So, we love Barrett, he is doing a magnificent job for us. And thanks again for asking.

Kind regards.
Mike and Carol
09* 54′ S 123* 02′ W

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From: Mike and Carol Kefford
Sent: May-05-14
To: ‘Will – Hydrovane’
Subject: RE: Email from fellow Beneteau 423 owner

Hi Will,

No worries.  I will send a holding reply until we are at anchor and recovered.  We will happily pass on our experiences of setting up a Beneteau 423 for major cruising to them.  Things we got right and things we wish we had known at the time etc.  All good about the Hydrovane though.  Best thing we did.  We currently have only 10 kts of wind but at least the sea is calm.

490 nm to go, even at 4 kts SOG it is a delight.

Mike

From: steven slater
Sent: April-05-14
To: Valerie Williams
Subject: Hi

Hi Valerie

Don’t know if you remember me, Steve Slater gaff cutter Lovely Edith, I bought a hydrovane from you last year!  I have finally fitted it and tried it out.

What a piece of kit! it manages to keep my boat on course up or down wind with almost no effort and I don’t have to work at it that hard to balance the boat, but the more I work at it the better it gets. It’s so easy! If I want to alter course just tweak the control lines and trim. Brilliant!!

I know you have a gallery of boats and the options they use with custom made brackets so I have sent a couple of photo’s for you to use if you care too.

I knew it was a good buy!

Take care and many thanks

Steve (Lovely Edith)

From: Dick Jones
Sent: April-25-14
To: Valerie Williams
Subject: RE: Vane cover replacement

… I love my unit, allowed me to single hand for long offshore sails the Island Packet 32 responds well to it. It took me a while to really be able to balance the sail trim and helm in different weather conditions, but got it down pat now. The arch with the radar and KVH receiver just give me a spot about 10 degrees where I have some dead spots, but that is not a problem, just adjust for it. I love it!!!!

Thanks for your help, Regards, Dick Jones (the old man of the sea, turning 82 this year and still going strong)

From: Ian Hilder
Sent: April 4, 2014
To: Hydrovane
Subject: Hydro generators

Hi

I purchased one of your units back in 2010 in preparation for the first half of a circumnavigation on a Moody 44. I have to say that it was the most useful bit of kit I put on the boat.

…

Regards
Ian Hilder

From: Steven Hertik/ Heather Francis
Sent: March-04-14
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Email

Will

We are in Wangaratta, just a few hours north of Melbourne, visiting Steve’s family and preparing for a few weeks get away on the motorbike. Maybe we’ll cross paths!

Our boat Kate, a Newport 41’, had a wind vane on her transom when we bought her in 2008. It had barely been used but the spider web of lines running through the cockpit looked like trouble. We replaced it with a Hydrovane and couldn’t be happier. Will was great at answering questions and helping us decide which vane was right for us. And the installation was straightforward, Steve managed to pull it off with his leg in a cast while we were tied to the dock.

We are full time sailing live aboard’s and despite the “dirty wind” created from the solar panels and other necessities aloft, our vane performs extremely well. It is one of the most important pieces of equipment we have on board, and one of the easiest to use.

If you’re planning on doing any long distance sailing we highly recommend Hydrovane, it makes long passages with two crew members almost relaxing, allows one person to make sail changes and course corrections without assistance and, the best part, requires no power!

Thanks

Heather

November 15, 2013, Juan Antonio Martin wrote to us on facebook:

Foto del Hydrovane instaldo en 1991 en s/y Vagabundo, con él he realizado 10 travesías del Atlántico en solitario.

Translated to:
Photo of Hydrovane installed in 1991 on SY Vagabundo, with him I made 10 Atlantic crossings alone.

February 16, 2014, Juan Antonio Martin wrote:

Hola Sarah, ayer llegue a Martinica, despues de 18 dias cruzando el Atlantico, el hydrovane, como siempre, muy bien bajando olas de los alisios. Mi “viejo” hydrovane ya ha cruzado 12 veces el Atlantico.

No hay problema para que pongas my foto del hydrovane en vuestro website.

Un saludo.

Translated to:
Hi Sarah, yesterday reached Martinique, after 18 days crossing the Atlantic, the hydrovane, as always, very well down waves of the trade. My “old” hydrovane has already crossed the Atlantic 12 times.

No problem to put my photo on your website hydrovane. A greeting.

Thanks, Juan!

On 18 February 2014
‘Kit and Belinda’ wrote:

Hi Will
Thanks for that. Please find attached a pic of the repaired vane – please feel free to use as you wish, sorry it was not taken in rougher weather!

Boat is a Bowman 40 named Quilcene – passage from Mindelo to Paramaribo 15 days.

A point of interest – other yachts that crossed at similar time said that their lighter wind vanes didn’t steer so well. We sailed under ‘poled out’ Yankee to leeward and a ‘poled out’ stay sail to windward – although most of the time it was almost ‘dead downwind’

couple of ‘pics’ attached
Regards

Kit (Chris) & Belinda

From: Brian Anderson
Sent: January-21-14
To: Will Curry
Subject: more i Vane applause

Hi Will.

You may still be spoiling yourself in the South Pacific, or you may be back in the dull chill of home setting up for the boat show. Whatever the case, I hope this finds you flourishing.

We’ve crossed to the Caribbean as of a couple weeks ago. We had a fast 18 day passage in strong winds, multi-directional swells and relatively few squalls. Rolly and Quick (sounds like a law firm you wouldn’t want to deal with?). And, not surprisingly, iVane drove us door to door with quiet efficiency, no appetite and patience. We used the twin head sail set and it too was the answer for short handed crew. But iVane was voted the Passage Prize, 2700 down miles without a miss-step or whimper. I know you have a drawer full of applause for the H’vane and ours are not extraordinary service notes, but I feel the need to shout out to someone who cares.

Hope all is well and even better….
cordially,
brine

From: Peter Stonard
Date: January 3, 2014
To: Sarah Curry
Subject: Hydrovane

Hi Sarah,

A happy and healthy 2014 to you. I said I’d write a little of my experiences when my Hydrovane unit, “Horatio” took me around the planet on good ol’ Contessa 32′ “Ianda”.

I can only say that the unit did all it says on the box. Handling a modest yacht of around 5 tonnes fully laden was no problem for the Hydrovane in both heavy weather and quiet conditions. The ability to maintain a selected course was excellent from wind on the nose round to broad reaching. She did allow a bit of a wander down wind, as maybe expected; after all, all mechanical self steering systems are by their nature purely re-active and just like their human substitutes, don’t steer so well dead downwind!

The mechanics of the unit I consider well made and of robust design. I liked the idea of having good clearances on bearing surfaces and even after some 20 years of exposure to harsh conditions, nothing has seized or broken. The windvane with its drum tight covering of spinnaker like fabric shoots flying fish off in all sorts of interesting directions, albeit one of the larger fellows punched a hole clean through it.

My one bone of contention tho, is the rudder unit. After but a short period, the retaining pin, which is too small in diameter, wore the hole in the plastic rudder, somewhat oval and from then on the wind vane had to over compensate for the consequent slackness between rudder an main spindle. But it gets worse, on anchor the slightest swell would set up a clonking sound between rudder and pin which whilst not particularly noticeable when in the cockpit, drove me to distraction when below as the sound travelled thru’ the hull. I managed to mitigate this to some extent by drilling a hole thru’ the aft top corner of the rudder and tying it off tight to one quarter. This helped, but even with the addition of a strong bungy cord I never completely eradicated the clonking. I have since had to put stainless steel bushes in the rudder and increase slightly, the retaining pin diameter. You may say that the rudder should be removed when anchored but this entails the use of a dinghy, not always practical.

If it were possible I would suggest a re-design of the rudder unit to allow it to be removed easily from deck or to be swung up, out of the water when at anchor. Not an easy mod I grant you but [I think] worth consideration.

Graduations on the course setting mechanism would be a nice touch when altering direction. Every 10 degrees would be good.

[Editor’s Note:  Peter’s is a VXA1 model, no Remote Course Setting]

And so in summary, thank you for supplying a 1st rate unit, notwithstanding my comments on the rudder I have been very happy with dear ol’ “Horatio” and expect to remain so for a long time to come.

From: jørgen andersen
Sent: September-12-13
To: Valerie Williams
Subject: Vedr: Shipment of hydrovane to Jorgen Vaagan Andersen

Hello Valerie.

I’ve had time to mount and test the Hydrovane now, so I thought I should give you some comments.

The equipment was exellently packed in strong boxes and arrived without any damage. All components seems strong and very well constructed. The mounting instructions were good and after some planning and a few days of work it was securely mounted to the transom of my boat.

There were a few minor problems with the equipment:

• The bolt that tightens the clamp on the A-bracket to the shaft was seized when I tried to loosen it the first time. I had to cut it and get a new one.
• The two M12 bolts that secures the struts on the A-bracket to the piece that is attached to the shaft was too short for the nyloc locking nuts to secure the bolt, so I had to buy two bolts that where 5mm longer.

None of this was a big deal because I was able to get the bolts in the next harbour I visited.

We have tested the hydrovane in the Irish sea and when we crossed the bay of Biscay. We had heard many stories of how hard it is to use and understand a wind-vane, but our experience was that it worked right away in all wind-directions and forces except with weak wind from astern (which i understand is normal). All in all we are very pleased so far and we have already demonstrated it to several fellow sailors that are considering to buy a wind-rudder.

Best regards
Jørgen Andersen

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From: jørgen andersen
Sent: December-30-13
To: Will Curry
Subject: Shipment of hydrovane to Jorgen Vaagan Andersen

Hi, Will.
Here are pictures of the aluminum backing plates I have in GRP inside the boat, and from the fitting of the brackets using plastic pipes (which was a very good tip). I have also added some pictures of the finished installation.

We have now crossed the Atlantic from Gambia to Trinidad and the Hydrovane has been in “charge” as long as the sails have been up, and has performed excellent.

Best regards
Jørgen Vaagan Andersen