True Stories

From: Kevin Leary
Sent: March 28, 2013
To: John Curry
Cc: ‘Will Curry’; ‘Valerie Williams’
Subject: Re: It works!

Hello All,

It has been some time since we last communicated over three years ago. Since then, the Hydrovane has been wonderful. It steered my Kelly Peterson 46 across the Atlantic from the Caribbean to Ireland where I have been mostly cruising since. It also served beautifully during last summer’s circumnavigation of Ireland via the Scottish Hebrides.

This summer we hope to sail from Ireland to the Faroe Islands and possibly Iceland. I have no doubt the Hydrovane will serve as wonderfully as before.

However, the nylon membrane that fits over the vane frame has begin to age, and I would like to order two more, one to keep as a backup. Red is nice, but the color is not important.

Thank you,

Kevin Leary

From: Dag Rørslett
Sent: December 17, 2012
To: John Curry
Subject: Re: Hydrovane

Hi John,

PS We were very happy about the Hydrovane. It worked beautifully once we dared to ‘start’ it, which was late on the first day after the ARC start. So the vane was working just great for the first five days (put in neutral once in a while just to correct things) in what I will describe as rough weather; nothing extreme; 4-8 m waves and winds 25-40 knots and from behind, The vane coped. It was a great help after the rudder loss surely. Combined with our drogues (we lost our second one) and trimmed sails we managed to hit Cape Verdes, after all!

….and on January 13, 2013, Dag added:

I can send more text to you in a while with “my own story”, saying that the Hydrovane did a great job and without it we might have ended up on the shores of Senegal. Or before that destroyed by colliding with bigger ships in the ship lane between Cap Verdes and Africa; that was my main worry. We steered as you probably know using the vane, a drogue and close reefed sails.

In my personal point of view we would be in severe trouble not having the vane. We needed more gear to steer the boat, that is true, but I think that has to do with the following fact; a heavy boat like mine with semi-long keel but WITHOUT a main rudder will always tend to go up against the wind because the lateral plane (..?; the sideways forces….) is destroyed – the main rudder being a very important part. Our mainsail was stuck too so we could not use that either. The whole balance of the boat was gone, making it almost impossible to steer… BUT we made it to Cape Verdes and are proud of that fact.

A heavy boat with everything in place steers with the vane, surely! Before the incident happened the Hydrovane steered beautifully and everybody onboard was amazed by its easy operation and the fact that it seemed to steer better than our old autopilot.

Anyway, I think it is a good story thanks to the Hydrovane.

Kind regards,
DAG S/Y Modus Vivendi

From: Bill & Tracy Hudson
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 2:35 PM
To: John Curry
Subject: Our Hydrovane

Just wanted to let you know that our Hydrovane (James) just got us from Funafuti in Tuvalu to Pohnpei in the FSM (1688 nautical miles) doing 98% of the steering. That included 35-40 knots of wind and 20-25 foot seas on a broad reach. We only had up our small forestaysail and took three reefs in the main and we were still going well over 7 knots most of the trip. What a champ.

Bill Hudson
SV Zephyr

From: SV Estrellita 5.10b – Carol & Livia
Sent: January-18-13
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Seattle boat show

Will,

Sweet and thank you.

We left the boat in the Tuamotus, Apataki more exactly. We loved that place (Tuamotus). So much, that we applied for the long stay visa. 2 more years in French Poly :). I am sure that the hydrovane will appear in our talks, best driver on our boat… Glad you guys are jumping, it is f… amazing here, and not as scary as some people/guide books make it sound like. You can see the vane in action here.

Ciao, we might be at the show on Sunday and if so, we will stop by.

Carol

From: MD
Sent: January-19-13
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Hydrovane for Gallinago

Will,

I hope you are well. We made it across from the Canaries to the Caribbean over Christmas. The Hydrovane performed perfectly despite the variety of conditions that we experienced. It definitely is the third crew member. Thanks for your advice to stick with the standard vane as there is only one position that it will hit our gantry and we have not had to sail on that point of sail as yet.

Unfortunately we lost the locking wheel/nut to secure the vane to the unit. Would it be possible to have a price and time-line for a replacement.

Regards

Matthew
Yacht Gallinago.

From: Trevor Fellowes
Sent: March 06, 2013
To: John Curry
Subject: Spare part for my Hydrovane

Hello John

I bought a unit from you in 2010 and fitted it myself. It has been excellent. I have not been on long ocean passages but I have circumnavigated Ireland and sailed from North West Scotland down the West coast of France and Northern Spain, where Candra is now moored till the Spring. I have been surprised and very pleased at how easy and quick it is to set up Hydrovane, so it can be used even for short hops and sailing inshore, with variable winds.

In fact I have just returned home from an Atlantic crossing on a friend’s boat that only had electric power self steering, and wow did that impress me how much better Hydrovane is, in several ways.

Anyway, that is pre-amble and feedback. I need a replacement part: the bottom collar.

Kind regards

Trevor

—

From: Trevor Fellowes
Sent: March 06, 2013
To: John Curry
Subject: Re: Spare part for my Hydrovane – Bottom Collar

John

Yes you are welcome to quote me.

Here are two photos. One is in a stiff wind and sea (never looks as bad does it on film, except that small rock to left is actually just the top of impressive Skellig Michael off SW Ireland) when I was still learning about set and balance. So Hydrovane had to work harder than she should, but coped fine.

I think the second photo is at Ramsay, Isle of Man. Both show the extent to which Hydrovane is offset, but to no deficit. You might also be able to see a light line attached to the tiller, which I use to increase my maneuverability in tight spaces. In your website you cite the advantage of an extra rudder with someone attending to it, but this allows me the same benefit when solo. Sometimes it has enabled me to be brilliant, but I confess that the logistics of turning the wheel one way and pulling a cord for Hydrovane have sometimes been too much for my dexterity. On balance though it is a good trick and perhaps next season practice will make perfect.

I have fitted all new sails to Candra over the past two years. I redesigned the mizzen to have a high cat-cut and the ability to reef as a lateen so as to clear the top of Hydrovane. (Though in practice that is rarely a problem.) But I should also tell you that the Sailtainer in-boom reefing system is super and is an excellent pairing with Hydrovane because it allows infinite and easy reefing, thus keeping the balance optimal. If ever you were looking to acquire a new product for your company, I’d recommend it. Been around and improved over years.

Sorry to go on at length

Best wishes,

Trevor

To: The Hydrovane Team
From: Joel Sorum on the sailing vessel “Compañera”
Location: Marina de La Paz, La Paz, Mexico
Date: November 28, 2012

My Hydrovane has now been installed on “Compañera” and she’s ready to head south along the Mexican coast and beyond. I want to thank all of the Hydrovane team for their timely, knowledgeable, and courteous service. While in La Paz I discovered that the regular windvane did not clear my recently installed solar panels. No problem; Hydrovane sent the stubby vane to my friend in Victoria who was about to return to his boat here in La Paz. Three days later I had my stubby vane and my Hydrovane was complete and ready to steer.

Will Curry took a personal interest in the project and offered several really important suggestions that made for a really superb installation. And Sarah Curry was just great. She made all the arrangements for ordering and delivering the stubby vane and kept me informed throughout the ordering process. So far I am just totally impressed with all the folks at Hydrovane. My hat is off to John Curry, his family and the wonderful people that work with the Hydrovane team.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season…..Joel Sorum

From: Lance Rock
Sent: December 07, 2012
To: John Curry
Subject: Wind and on 42′ Tayana Vancouver cc

Hi John,

I sailed from Freeport Bahamas south to Havana. The boom broke off the mast.

I continued west to clear Cuba and cut over the Gulf Stream to cancun Mexico. My driveshaft also failed, and I limped into isla majures cancun.

I sailed about 800 miles downwind in 15 – 20 knot winds. The wind vane worked better than I ever imagined! The vane lower shaft is a bit overextended, I will measure it and let you know the length. I noticed the wind vane on a whole moving slightly under torque. I assume that is normal! Otherwise it is the only solid thing on my boat! Lol

From: Will Curry
Sent: November 28, 2012
To: John Curry ; Karen Curry, Sarah Curry
Subject: Hydrovane Report

This morning we left Ensenada Los Muertos and the sailing is so good. Instead of hopping further down the Baja, we’ll keep going until we reach Tenicatita Bay ~ 400nm.

I’m really amazed by the Hydrovane performance. We still have the spinnaker and full main up in about 15 knots of wind and we’re doing 7 to 7.5 knts with surges up to 8 (no exaggeration). The boat does not feel over powered and the Hydrovane is still tracking within about 10 degrees of apparent wind course and some lumpy seas. When the winds picked up I moved the ratio knob into the middle setting which made quite a difference in her tracking. The main rudder is locked right on the centerline so the boat is well balanced.

I just took a good video which we’ll have to add to the blog, website and Youtube.

Also, we made water all morning and now have full water tanks after being on the hook for over a week now. Pretty cool when all systems are a go!

From: Shamrock
Sent: October-28-12
To: Sarah Curry
Subject: Hallberg Rassy 49 PONTY

Dear Sarah,

In the FAQ on your website there is question about the ability for your windvane to steer a heavier boat.

I singlehanded across the Atlantic over (Capo Verde-Barbados) and back (Bermuda-Azores) in opposite wind conditions (plus many shorter trips for around 10.000 nm) with my 15m Hallberg Rassy and…. at last travel-lift she has been weighted around 28 tons (European) (Diesel, water, anchors and all material that have been collected in 6 years around!!)

The only one time “Hydrolino” (I named the wind vane) lost the way was because, at night and close-hauled with around a 20 kn wind, the main rudder with a bit of helm disengaged himself from the right position.

Best regards,
Federico Roman

From: Michael F. Keyser [mailto:michael@keyserbenefits.com]
Sent: October-15-12 12:55 PM
To: Will Curry
Subject: Orenda

Just wanted to thank you and John for the fine service and assistance with our new vane.

After reading the instructions, Orenda was holding her course within minutes on our first day last summer.

On the last day of our September trip, we sailed downwind using our asymetrical spinnaker for 25 miles with the wind @ 170 – 190 degrees! At 7 knots, it was a short trip.

One of my sailing buddies caught the last few minutes. Enjoy the photo.

With best regards,
Mike

Michael F. Keyser, ChFC

From: Gill Duncan
Sent: September-05-12
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Replacement parts…

Will,

Thanks – I’ll get a photo to you as soon as I can. It is the spring loaded gear mechanism comprising a black, hardened plastic peg with a bolt, spring and washer. They don’t float very well! How soon can parts be delivered to the UK?

Mildred was installed on our Grand Soleil 52 in Turkey. She sits neatly on the stern and denotes us as “proper sailors”!

Once well-balanced Mildred we have found the best way to set her off is to use the windvane facility on the autopilot while we angle the vane dead into the wind. A little tweaking of the helm to work out the amount of weather helm required and then it is locked off. Mildred will then drive her at more than 9 knots. On night watches we set Mildred to work and if we feel like it we helm at the time as she does – this is ideal for the inexperienced helmsman as they have the broad parameters governed by Mildred and they just sail for maximum speed.

It is a really useful bit of kit. While Fabiola is Dad’s boat I feel sure when we get back from our Atlantic circuit that we shall look to find one for our S&S 30.

Best wishes,

Gill Duncan

From: Oliver Kinchin
Sent: September 01, 2012
To: Will Curry; John Curry
Subject: RE: Problems with Hydrovane – Troskala – Rival 32

Hello Will / John,

Thank you again for your help and support in this matter. I am happy to report that we made it across Biscay in 6 days and arrived last Monday. We used our Hydrovane for 3 days solid in winds from 7-8. It is a fantastic bit of kit and even the gantry above did not affect the performance so thank you and we will keep you posted.

All the best and maybe I will see one of you in the Canaries at the start of the ARC.

See you soon.

Best wishes,

Oliver (Troskala)
Oliver Kinchin

From: Dee & Pippa
Sent: August-21-12
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: My Echo Tech DLM-1

Hello Will,

Thanks for your speedy reply.

Our Hydrovane is a marvel. It does much more than the majority of the steering. If there is any wind at all it does 99% of it. I just take over for entering and leaving harbour.

At first it struggled to steer a steady course on a beam reach. Though running and reaching were fine. The solution was in your tips pack, supplied with the basic instructions. I increased the tilt of the wind vane to decrease it’s power. Problem solved.

My biggest surprise was that it steers a good course while on a dead run, with just a zephyr of wind across the deck.

The old truism that you remember the quality long after you have forgotten the price, certainly applies to the Hydrovane

A photo of us on passage with problems aloft is attached. The Hydrovane is once again on the helm.

I will give the Watermaker a descaling as you suggest and let you know the result.

Our quality of life in the tropics has been immeasurably increased by the Watermaker. Originally I thought it rather a luxury. But now we use it every day and would really struggle without it.

We have only been able to collect more than a trickle of rainwater at sea, on one occasion.

In harbour we have often found that drinking water is unavailable, difficult to collect, or worse, contaminated.

I bought the Hydrovane and watermaker with the lump sum that came with my retirement pension.

I couldn’t find a secure investment with a return that even matched inflation. So decided to invest it in Sula (our yacht).

It must rank as one of my better decisions.

Best wishes

Dee

From: Lyle and Lark Balmer
Sent: November-24-12
To: Will Curry
Subject: Hydrovane Performance

Hello Will,

Everyone says their product “works right out of the box.” After over 35 years of maintenance design experience I can say that the Hydrovane is one of the very few that lives up to claim.

You have a very well designed simple piece of equipment. No one should cruise without one.

Lyle Balmer
s/v Aleydabeth