True Stories

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

From: Jutta Mokracek
Sent: August-10-12
To: Will – Hydrovane
Subject: Re: Spare parts for elderly hydrovane

Dear Will,

Thank you for your speedy reply to our enquiry. You may most certainly put our emails onto your page – we have nothing but praise

Some details as to boat and Hydrovane arrangements:

• The boat is a 33ft steel sloop of about 10 metric tons, built in 1979 in Holland.
• The Hydrovane, model VXA2 (Series 5000) was mounted in 1979.
• The boat is equipped with hydraulic wheel steering. This has allowed us to put some trim onto the main rudder when winds were stronger, which allowed to put off reefing for a bit.

We are sailing this arrangement for 30 years, around the world and Europe (about 60000 miles). We carried most of the spare part Mr Derek K. Daniels suggested to take on board in 1981, but never had to replace a part except for the bottom collar. Had we listened to his advise and taken the rudder as well, we would not have had to improvise an aluminium rudder in Townsville/Australia after having hit an object at night (probably tree trunk).

In all this time we hand-steered the boat twice, but only for safety reasons (wave height): once in the vicinity of Cap Finistere reportedly force 11/12, and the second time in Colombian waters, where the Caribbean Counter current bashed up the seas against a force 9 (steepest waves in all this time).

I always considered the pendulum system as more effective – which might be true with a higher boat speed, but at average speed the Hydrovane remains unbeatable. Even at 0.5knots it steered perfectly.

One doesn’t have to be a genius to realize the robustness and effectiveness of the Hydrovane’s mechanics.

The only points of critic would be the rudder which could be bigger (you have already altered the size as I understand from your site).

The stainless bolts and screws of the flanges don’t go all that well with the cast aluminuim. This leads to difficulties when dismounting the unit after a longer time period.
The attached photos show the mounting arrangement and the recently developed crack (probably developed through oxidation between wood aluminium).

The platform serves as a protection of the shaft in overcrowded harbours.

Enough of the boat. Shipping could be either to Germany or Austria. Please advise on that and on payment procedures as well.

Greetings from the too hot Med (45°)….

All the best
Jan and Jutta

From: Vladimir Apukov
Sent: August 05, 2012
To: John Curry
Subject: Re: Need consultation

Hi John!

thanks for instruction, I refit it. I try do it without lubricant ? it’s very hard

It’s true wind 3Knt, I have video with 1,6-1,9 knt wind – and it still drives!!! but it not downwind (broad reach)

I not include this part because – I take video at this moment just from instrument, not sail not water

Vladimir

From: Vicky Plett
Sent: July-19-12
To: Will Hydrovane
Subject: RE: pics

awesome where in la paz.. are you sailing the summer there?

i have some favorite places..

yes i can send you pics and wow.. the crossing .. i kept look back at Barry ( named after my dad he taught me to sail) anyway. i kept feeling i should be doing something… for 264 miles i did nothing.. then wind and seas got weird..had to tweek every so often yet.. i sat there thinking i should be doing something the seas the winds.. ..

have some great pics of the vane.. in all kinds of lights.. more of the skys and etc..

will not do another passage without. and funny here.. and in Galapagos.. other cruisers..with the hydrovane make a point of coming by … we all love them.. would not ever be with out.. i seem to be the only one with the short…

i will order one when i know where i can send it..

how are you enjoying the sea.. i know it will be my long term cruising grounds for winters out of BC

take care…

vicky
Vicky Plett
“Inspiration At Sea”
Sailing the South Pacific

From: Tom Vernon
Sent: July-19-12 4:11 PM
To: Will Curry; John Curry; Valerie Williams
Subject: Re: Fitting hydrovane

Dear Hydrovane Team,

I just wanted to write to say thank you for the service you provided while I was installing my Hydrovane.

It is now installed with the A- bracket and is working like a dream. I confess I was a little concerned about the auxiliary rudder system vs. a servo pendulum, but the power of the hydrovane has astonished me. I’ve only done about 1000 miles with it so far, but it is now the best bit of kit on the boat. It steered the boat for 3 days on a run like an arrow with the genoa poled out, far better than the autopilot could have.

I once had to put it in ‘second’ gear on a beam reach with 40 knots of wind, other than that it’s been in 1st gear with the vane angled right back the whole time. I’ve used a [popular servo pendulum system] before, and it doesn’t even come close to the performance of the Hydrovane, let alone ease of use.

Regards,

Tom
P.S. anyone installing a hydrovane on a Seahawk 35, Falcon 35, Oceandream or Oceanquest will need the A-bracket, and I would highly recommend they also go for the larger shaft. The seahawk 34 and falcon 34 might get away with the E bracket.

—

From: Tom Vernon
Sent: July-20-12
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Fitting hydrovane

Hi Will,
Of course feel free to use my email, and also feel free to pass my address on to anyone considering installing a hydrovane on a similar boat.

The [popular servo pendulum system] is good as well, but the hydrovane is so much easier to use, and you don’t need to balance the sails so well. In a centre cockpit boat with a sugar scoop the advantages of the wheel being locked with no ropes in the cockpit, and the ability to off-set so you don’t lose your boarding ladder are great.

Regards,

Tom

From: Marc Niewerth
Sent: July-18-12
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Engine mount

Hey Will

Just put the wind vane to work ……

In a word – Wow!

Thanx
Mark and Rey

From: Ola Mossberg
Sent: June-29-12
To: Will Hydrovane
Subject: Performance!

Hi Will!

Now we have tested the new rudder from Portugal to Azores in every kind of wind. It’s a big improvement and we are really happy with the performance. Well done!

Here in the marina in Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel most of the bluewater sailors have Hydrovane!

Say hallo to everybody!

Noa Noa II
Vänliga Hälsningar / Best Regards
Ola Mossberg
Stockholm
Sweden

From: Jean Lachaud
Sent: June-24-12
To: Will Curry
Cc: Sarah Curry; Stephanie
Subject: Re: Hydrovane Performance Report

Salut Will & Sarah,

D’abord un grand merci à Valérie pour avoir patiemment rempli les papiers pour nous aider à importer l’hydrovane au Mexique!

On a décidé de ne pas tester l’hydrovane dans un cyclone dès le début et on a attendu la fin de “Bud” pour partir de Puerto Vallarta. Pour l’instant, on a fait 10 jours de navigation avec l’hydrovane – sur la côte Pacifique du Mexique entre Puerto Vallarta et La Paz. On a essayé à peu près toutes les allures dans des vents allant de 0 à 20 noeuds. A partir de 5 noeuds de vent, notre ketch se met en marche et l’hydrovane le barre parfaitement quelque soit l’allure – de près serré à vent arrière.

Je craignais que la voile d’artimon perturbe l’hydrovane au prés sérré mais elles interagissent sans problème. Les trois niveaux de bras de leviers permettent d’ajuster la puissance de l’hydrovane à la force du vent de façon très efficace. C’est vraiment agréable de naviguer sans le bruit du pilote automatique et sans le souci de la panne d’éléctronique ou du manque d’éléctricité.

C’est simple, depuis qu’on a installé l’hydrovane on a l’impression d’avoir en permanence à la barre un ami à nous qui est excellent barreur. Seulement deux regrets, l’hydrovane ne prend pas les ris et ne fait pas de gateaux à la citrouille.

Translated to English:

First a big thank you to Valerie for patiently filled out the paperwork to help us import the Hydrovane into Mexico!

We decided not to start by testing the Hydrovane in a hurricane, and so we waited for the end of ‘Bud’ to leave from Puerto Vallarta. To date, we’ve experienced 10 days of sailing with the Hydrovane – on the Pacific coast of Mexico between Puerto Vallarta and La Paz. We’ve tried just about every point of sail in winds from 0 to 20 knots. From 5 knots of wind, our ketch starts moving and the Hydrovane performs perfectly regardless of wind direction – upwind to downwind.

I feared that the Hydrovane would be disrupted by the mizzen when going upwind but they interact smoothly. The three levels of ratio gearing are used to adjust the power of the Hydrovane wind speed very effectively. It is fun to sail without the noise autopilot and without concern for the failure of electronics or lack of electricity.

It’s simple, since we installed the Hydrovane we have the impression of having a permanent helmsman, a friend of ours who is great helmsman. Only two regrets, the Hydrovane doesn’t take the reefs, and doesn’t make pumpkin pie.

Jean

From: Martin Wheeler
Sent: June-22-12
To: Hydrovane Will
Subject: Hydrovane

Hi Will

Just checking that you got the photo’s of the boat with the Hydrovane fitted.

We ended up being able to fit the whole unit in one weekend. The hardest bit was getting the A bracket to stay in the position we needed it before we clamped it all up. Once we got that it was relatively easy, we only had to cut one arm in one place and the offcut from that fitted the other side! When we finished we also noticed that we hadn’t even covered up the boat name, so saved ourselves major hassle there too!

I went out and tested it on Sunday and was amazed at how good it was when I had set it up. I am going to have to take a lot of books with me to read, so I don’t get bored!

I did notice that the adjusting line didn’t work when the I was adjusting the vane in the beginning. I had both the rudder and vane unlocked, with the adjusting knob in neutral, but the friction was too great for the vane adjusting line to turn the wheel so had to do this by hand, once I was close to the required setting I engaged the rudder in the 2:1 position (10knots of breeze) I was able to adjust the vane with the line easily.

The only thing I can think is that when the rudder is in neutral there is too much friction. I fitted the tiller arm as per your instructions and the dark collar spins freely when the unit is set to the 4:30 position. Any suggestions as to how to reduce the friction, or am I doing something wrong?

Regards
Martin

From: Eleandro SY Mahina
Sent: June-21-12
To: Will Curry
Subject: Hello from Mahina

Good day Will …. Emailing you from Marquesas French Polynesia!!

So I am please to inform you that My Hydrovane as successfully done over 10000nm since leaving Malta on Nov 29th 2011.

I do need your help in some regards:

• Half way across the pacific the rudder pin came out and lost …. Thank God I had a lanyard on the rudder otherwise I would not be happy right now. I hitting in a bolt and nuts and is ok but still would like a pin or 2 as it is easier to get in and out … this time I will put a small lanyard on that too.
• The booster pump on my water maker (which also is working ok) as already been replaced in the Caribbean through Trinidad as it stop completely (paid loads of money for it). Now it’s ccb is tripping. Guess I need a replacement. Any chance I can get this under warranty?
• Would like to order a mineral filter to replace the old one that came with the system (been over the 6 months now) … also a charcoal filter.

My friend that joined me in Panama (not much of a sailor) asked me what was that mechanism at the back of the boat and reply straight away that that is Taurus (Nick name) and he is the mate on board. Anyways after seeing what he does for us she fell in love with him too. So much so that I ordered my crew to dress up for the equator crossing and she dressed up as Hydrovane …

Thanks
Eleandro
Sy Mahina