True Stories

From: Roy
Sent: August-22-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Hydrovane Performance

Thanks for reply

I can’t comment on performance only to say this unit is 18 months old and is far superior to my older two units,

It holds a better course down wind.

They have always been excellent.

Also saving cost in bigger autopilots for my wheel steering.

The smallest tiller type autopilots work excellent due to very little pressure on the tiller arm.

Use to date – cruising many years and 6 transatlantic crossings.

If i find old pins i will post you it.

From: Bill & Tracy Hudson
Sent: August-17-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: Our thanks

As graduates of the class of 2011’s Pacific Puddle Jump, we just want to say thanks for making such a great product. Our Hydrovane (James) steered us across the Pacific logging in close to 5000 miles since we left La Cruz, Mexico back in April of this year. We don’t know what we would have done without him.

When we arrived in Nuka Hiva, we were told that many of the boats that had arrived already had experienced trouble with their auto pilots (the old fashioned electric types).

Ours had behaved like a champ in all kinds of weather and under numerous sail configurations. As much of the way was downwind sailing, our spinnaker was used quite a bit and James was more than up to the task.

Just two days ago, we were sailing from Bora Bora to Suwarrow Atoll in 10-12 foot following seas with only a double reefed main up. We hit speeds of over 12 knots as we went up and down in the swells. One minute we were on the top and then sliding down the face at breakneck speeds. All the time, James kept us right on course. We might veer a bit, but he would put us right back on the course we needed to get here.

I know you have heard this from other sailors, but we just wanted to say thank you for making a great piece of engineering.

Bill & Tracy Hudson
SV Zephyr
Suwarrow Atoll

From: Bob Ciupa
Sent: July 22, 2011
To: Valerie Williams
Subject: Re: Locking Pins

Hi Valerie, Canada Post will be fine.

Heddie McVeen was a childhood friend of my wife Martha’s grandmother. I’m not quite sure of the story but as she aged, whenever Martha’s grandma spoke of Heddie there was always some oblique reference to guns and the stealing boyfriends back in the early 1900’s. As I gather there was never enough said to be sordid, but enough to be intriguing and vaguely steamy to a child of 8 or 10.

When we got the boat and I mentioned to Martha that since many people give the self-steering a name because they consider the equipment as extra crew, so she might wish to name the Hydrovane she blurted out, “Heddie McVeen.” Might have something to do with the phonics, I’m not sure. Certainly doesn’t have to do with guns!

Best regards.

Bob

From: Duncan and Caroline
Sent: July-05-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: Fwd: Hydrovane

Hi Will

We broke the extension handle unfortunately one of our friends (a light weight girl) lent on the handle and it broke as you can see from the photos it broke in the weakest spot. Could you advise how to fix this.

I have also attacked photos of the Hydrovane attached to our Whitby 42. It works really well in all sort of conditions although we do tie it off for motoring to support the locking pin.

Regards
Duncan and Caroline
Australia

From: Paolo Bordo
Sent: July-07-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: RE: Hydrovane Bottom Collar

Hi Will

Me and my wife Rahel aren’t expert navigator since we start our cruise last year. We bought the boat “Starfire” a Bowman Starlight 35 in England and we put the Hydrovane first for a backup rudder than second as a windpilot.

As we move from Cornwall southerly to Brest we start take confidence with the new sailboat and system by system we start to familiarize with them .

When was the turn of the Hydrovane we were a bit intimidated by the system, we took the instructions, read twice , and magically the boat start going alone without any input by me or by Rahel…

We crossed Biscay next without using the electric autopilot and from that moment, to Sardegna where we live, we try to use your system as much as we can… with the electricity saved from the electric pilot we used the fridge and we have always cold beer onboard !!!!!!

We cruise 1800 miles last summer with Hydrovane and we suggest every boat have one, it is the most simple, easy and safe steering system we know .

Paolo and Rahel Bordonaro

From: Daniel
Sent:  June 27, 2011
To: Valerie Williams
Cc: John Curry; Will Curry
Subject: Hydrovane Article on my Website

Hello Hydrovane Crew,

Just wanted you to know that I wrote an article about the installation of my new Hydrovane on my website, and you’re invited to check it out!

Thanks, and I look forward to your comments on the article!

Daniel Collins
Skipper of s/v Aletheia, a 1978 Allied Princess 36′ Ketch #115

—–

Excerpts from:

WHICHEVER WAY THE WIND BLOWS (ON WIND VANES AND SELF STEERING)

“…………. And some cruisers go “low tech”, using clever arrangements of lines, gears, vanes, and paddles to steer the boat using a whirlygig-like apparatus called a self-steering system, or wind vane autopilot. These range from the extremely low tech, homebuilt units costing relatively little but often required a significant amount of fine-tuning and time investment to make them work well, all the way up to the legendary wind vanes with names such as “Monitor”, “Cape Horn”, “Aries”, and “Hydrovane”.

……….. While each of the major vanes have their pros and cons, and each of them have a fanatical group of hardcore supporters, one setup in particular stood out to me as superior for a few key reasons, which I will discuss in a moment. However, this solution does NOT come inexpensively. But when I weighed the pros and cons of the options, my skill and construction resources, and the time I have available, the value of the system became very clear. So I placed a call to Hydrovane International, and boy let me tell you: these people know how to please their customers.

From the beginning I felt like this was the kind of company I was glad to be supporting with my hard earned money. They didn’t immediately try to sell me the product, but instead I got a sense of comfortable confidence in their own gear – they knew that I had all the data I already needed to make the decision, and they were there to make the process as straightforward as possible. Getting engineering plans and validation, customized assistance with each part, and even individual consideration on whether or not my solar panel arch would be an issue was something they did quickly, happily, and most importantly, accurately. They aren’t sales people who pretend to be engineers, they are engineers who also enjoy ethical sales. So a big shout to John, Will, and Valerie, who each gave valuable and thoughtful consideration to my situation in a cheerful and accurate manner. This is how a company should be run.

Then there was the issue of the product itself. After making it nearly dead simple to order the right parts, I had a lead time commitment – which they honored – and the parts came in excellent packing. All in all, hauling the 5 boxes out to my boat was a simple task. But if I had been pleased with their company to this point, I was still positively surprised when I opened the box and hefted the first components. This is a solid product where no corners were cut, and the quality is evident immediately.

The installation instructions are not only thorough, but they supply a host of anecdotal tips and warnings acquired from a few decades of past installs to help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth install. And as for the installation – it’s dead simple, once you figure out where you are going to put the thing.

…In brief, the main reasons I chose the Hydrovane were:

1. It doesn’t require lines in the cockpit running back to the wheel or tiller.
2. It’s a completely standalone system that does not depend on the main rudder functioning.
3. It’s a spare rudder as well. This was a big factor for me.
4. It has a stellar reputation and I’ve heard of many users of other vanes moving to the Hydrovane and wondering why they didn’t do it sooner. I haven’t heard a single story of someone that went the other way.
5. It has the most straightforward install for my boat as well, and involved the least amount of holes in the boat.

Generally speaking I’ve heard great wailing, swearing, and gnashing of teeth over most of the other brands, and have heard nothing but praise for the Hydrovane. And having installed mine and seen how it’s constructed, I have to say I can see why. Though nothing short of a test sail and then some nice long passages will put the proof to the question.

Overall, I absolutely recommend both this piece of gear and the company themselves, and will let you know how well the new ‘vane sails the boat before too long!”

From: Anne Gatenby
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011
To: linda@hydrovane.com
Subject: circumnavigation

Can we express our heartfelt thanks to Hydrovane, for its outstanding product, which steered us magnificently and without complaint for virtually all of the 47,792 nautical miles of the global circumnavigation which we have just completed, in our Najad 371.

The crew was just the two of us, and it would not have been possible without all that help from Mr Hydrovane. It is sufficiently vital to our sailing that we carry a spare.

Your product is completely outstanding, and we would never hesitate to recommend it.

Yours,

Anne & Ian Gatenby
Yacht Fidelio of London
Siracusa, Sicily.

From: Lin and Paul Hiley
Sent: May 11, 2011
To: John Curry
Subject: Spares

Dear John,

We purchased our Hydrovane steering in 2004 – have crossed the Atlantic twice & wouldn’t be without it.

We need a new vane cover – would you please let me know how to pay for it and where to order from.

Thank you

Paul Hiley

From: Kate Smith
Sent: June-09-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: RE: Hydrovane Report

Good Day Will,

We just completed a trip from Ft. Lauderdale to New York in our Bristol 29.9, and are happy to report that our Hydrovane steered the boat flawlessly. We flew a Code 0 headsail with a full battened mainsail for the entire trip, as the wind speed varied from 5 to 18 knots, close reaching to a dead down wind run. On all points of sail and wind velocities “Hydro” steered a steady course.

This trip verified your suspicion that the initial difficulties we encountered, in using the Hydrovane, was due to our inability to adapt to the set up procedure for the Hydrovane after using a RVG unit for twenty years. You were right, all of our problems were created by operator error. Now that we have exorcised the ghost of the RVG from “Santih”  and her crew the Hydrovane is free to perform to its potential, which exceeds our expectations.

Also, as you predicted the Hydrovane is a much more sophisticated, powerful, and precise unit than the RVG. One additional benefit of the Hydovane is the ability to remove the rudder when we are motoring long distances, and in areas where maneuverability is at a premium. Since our unit is mounted two feet aft of the transom, removing it greatly reduces our turning radius and improves maneuvering in reverse.

I want to thank you for your patience, and the time you have spent instructing me on the use of the Hydrovane. The Hydrovane is an outstanding product, which I unconditionally recommend, but it is the outstanding service that you provide which makes it possible for your customers to realize its potential.

Respectfully,
Steve Smith

From: Barbara & Brian
Sent: May-22-11
Cc: Will Curry
Subject: iVane and armola

Hi again,
I am motivated though by two things: one, our splendid today at sea guided for the first time (any distance that is) by our iVane. We covered about 20 miles in 22 knots of wind with iVane studiously and without fault steering to the wind. We had a couple faults but, as usual, human error put up his hand.

This venture won’t impress you much but for me, even a small passage without a single energy demand… especially MY energy… is a grand gesture to the environment and our peace of mind. I know the vulnerability of electronic auto-pilots.

…
Cordially,
Brine

… and subsequently updated us ….

From: Barbara & Brian
Sent: October-20-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: some more small applause

Hi Will. I wanted to share this small missive from Sicily with you, just because it contains a reference to iVane. Hope life and business are flourishing.

Sincerely,
Brian A.
———————————–

Hi again, this time from the SE coast of Sicily. Once elegant Siracusa town, now looking tired and gritty, a bit sad-sack…but to us, the very finest shelter after our mini-passage of 330 miles (60 hours) from Greece. Knowing me and knowing October, you’ll expect the passage to have some of these “!!” attached to its description.

We sailed about 250 miles of the trip with deeply reefed sails in winds from 15 to 50 knots!! For the first time, we had to run downwind, under bare poles in gale force 8 conditions, with gusts to 50 knots – and don’t get me started on the sea conditions! Have you ever swallowed your tongue? Well then, you know what I mean. Oh, and we had sessions of savage rain, no visibility in the shipping lane and lightning!

We left Pilos with a reasonable forecast (25 knot winds), and if I meet up with the forecaster, I’ll happily smack him with a spade. We did want to avoid having to motor and we knew the early part of the trip might be rough. But not of the disemboweling sort. Going to the head in a seaway is never joyous, but this was like I had a live goat in there with me, he had to go too!!

As an independant measure of things, on Monday noon (we had been at sea only 26 hours) a supertanker did an unusual thing. The gentleman captain altered course, rounded into the wind and stood off about a half mile upwind of us, asking if we needed assistance! I didn’t think he had the power to beam us to the Starbucks in White Rock, so I said thank you (several times) but “no, this is a self-inflicted wound sir.”

Actually, we were doing fine and I don’t know why he suspected otherwise. The sea was in a very sour and raspy mood, but the boat didn’t seem to mind. Hallberg-Rassy for you. Perhaps the tanker captain thought we should be home bathing the children.

Other highlights of the journey? We carried a small bird, struggling to stay airborne, the last 50 miles, only to see itdie when we reached the harbour. A flying fish also landed on the boat, and died.

Oh, and iVane, our wind-steering partner. What a gem! It steered 230 hard miles without even nut rations. I don’t fully understand the genious of iVane, but I do fully appreciate its indomitable – even insouciant – response to provocative seas. I should see if it can do Wx forecasting.

We’ll be here a few days before rounding the SE coast of Sicily an on to Ragusa. I’m sure word has spread amongst the small birds and flying fish that Red Shoes is a rough ride.

Cordially,
brine and matey

From: Robin Anderson
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011
To: ‘John Curry’

Hi John and team,

Have posted a fuller review of Big Beast rudder and reviewed use with Tiller pilot.

Cheers,
Robin

From: Dale Tournier
Sent: March-30-11
To: Will Curry

Hi Will,

I’ve been sailing all morning dead down wind and the Hydrovane is working very well. It worked straight away without much playing around, I’m surprised how easy it was to get steering the boat. Only about 10-12 knots of wind, I’ll be interested to see how it performed in other conditions.

Cheers Dale.

And later this:

On 2011-04-15
Dale Tournier wrote:

Hi Will, just a progress report. Have had light winds for the last week (400nm) even used hydrovane while flying the assymetrical. It’s now 4:30am and a 18knot westerly has come upon the beam quite quick, Hydrovane is working very well, I still surprised at how easy it is to set. I’ll send you a picture of Hydrovane sailing Freeform under spinnaker.

Cheers, Dale

From: Ariane
Sent: March-18-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: Re: Hydrovane Shaft Replacement

Hi Will

You want to hear a little report about the Hydrovane on the ARC and WorldARC (it will join us also in the ARC Europe). It´s easy to tell. It was the best part we mounted on our boat. The Hydrovane steered us safely through the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, South-Atlantic and will lead us through the North-Atlantic back to the Mediterranean.

Only when motoring, we used our electric autopilot. We did recommend the Hydrovane to all interested people we met. A safe steering without consuming energy was for us extremely important, as we got our energy only from 6 Solarpanels and the Duogen. We had no Diesel-generator.

Kind regards

Roland, Skipper Ariane

Custom extendable A Bracket – new A bracket opens 40 – 80 degrees:

From: Boat 2050
Sent: March-14-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: hydrovane/watermaker

Hi Will, we love our Hydrovane and just recently moved onto our boat full time. I’m enclosing pictures of our Hydrovane install as I promised months ago.

Second question, we are getting ready to buy a watermaker. We looked at all the watermakers currently on the market, and based on our research, the Echo Tech is the best for our needs.

We will follow up with a phone call later today or tomorrow.

Pat and Matt Tate

From: Manfred Rausch
Sent: March-12-11
To: Will Curry; Valerie Williams
Subject: Little story

Hi Valerie and Will,

Everything is now installed and working. The promised little story (lost or stolen rudder) is attached (follows):

We crossed the Atlantic Ocean and all 29 days our Hydrovane was doing a perfect job under any conditions.

The rudder was taken off and secured at the stern of the boat, after we made the passage from St. Martin to the BVIs. During short trips between the islands we steered by hand. Now we intended to leave Puerto Rico for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The day before, we checked out and prepared our boat for the passage. The rudder of our Hydrovane windvane could not be found, we lost it, or it had been stolen.

The Sunday, I wrote an email to Valerie at Hydrovane.

Monday, I got in contact with Will by phone and email to clear all necessary details. In the years between we bought the unit originally and today the rudder had been improved and the construction was changed, two options were proposed.

Tuesday, we decided to convert to the new technology, that means changing the shaft and use the improved version of the new rudder.

Wednesday, rudder and shaft were shipped from UK to Puerto Rico, via UPS express service – estimated arrival Friday.

Friday 4 pm we were happy to receive the parts in Puerto Rico.

Saturday, two and a half hours work and the new shaft was on its place, the disassembling of the drive unit took the most of the time, not unexpected because aluminum and stainless steel tend to build oxides which do not “slide off” easily. The instructions and advises we were given were very helpful and finally we managed the changeover.

Thank You, Valerie and Will for the quick service, good advice and the personnel support. Again you (Hydrovane team) have shown that you really know about the needs of circumnavigators.

Barbara and Manfred, SY Balimara
Puerto Rico, March 2011