Hydrovane for H46

[will@willclower.com]

Thanks Michael,

That is very reassuring and also great data on optimal usage!

At this point, we contacted one potential installer just this morning who could not do it within the 3 weeks before we leave, and we're waiting on one more person to respond. If that's also a NO, we'll try to figure it out ourselves (with some coaching from Will over at HV).

I'll include pics of the install when we have them, and the follow up with how it responds on the trip down to the VI in November.

Thanks again Michael!!
Will

[mjarzo]

Hi All,

Michael from H49, Hull #58, 2007 "Hylite" here. We installed a Hydrovane in San Francisco, California in July 2017. We left San Francisco in early November 2017 and have just arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia (via Mexico, French Polynesia, Tonga, Fiji). I chose the HV after a lot of research and can now comment on performance after using it for about 75% of our roughly 9,000nm of passages.

It is mounted off-center to the port side of the transom to just clear the stern ladder. Opposite to starboard of the stern ladder is a Watt & Sea 300 water generator. We have an overhead stern arch with solar panels and dinghy davits, so we have the short shaft HV with the stubby wind vane. It just fits with around 2 inches (50mm) of clearance for the stubby vane at the worst positions under the arch.

How does it perform? We use it most of the time of longer passages (passages more than 24 hours or so). It works very well from close-hauled through to about 120 degrees apparent wind. From 120 through about 135 apparent, the true wind needs to be reasonable (20 knots true or more) and sail trim need to be reasonably good. We usually reef the main above 20 knots true for less weather helm downwind but maintain the full 130% genoa). We hold full genoa until nearly 30 knots true when deep downwind. We often have the helm locked off to one side to handle the weather helm.

From about 135 apparent to 150 apparent it is not great and needs to be watched. We use an asymmetrical kite up to 150 apparent and up to 20 knots apparent (high 20's true). It can round up if trim is not good or wind is gusty, and/or sea state is rough. Waves over 2 meters can swing the stern and the HV cannot correct if it's a big swing.

Overall it is a great asset and I still think it's the best wind pilot option for our boat. I could say a lot more so please feel free to ask questions and I will try to answer.

Regards

Michael (SV Hylite)

[Anthem]

Having been outed by Chris on Beleza will admit we installed a Hydrovane far enough to port that it doesn't interfere with steps and allows a 3.1 meter dinghy to be carried on Kato Voyager davits.  So, you may ask, does it work?  Yes, it absolutely, positively may work under at least some circumstances, probably.  For several reasons including little wind in SEA and our involuntary emplacement in Tipperary Waters marina, Darwin, for over a year and a half have had limited experience with the thing.  Sometimes it drove us straight and sometimes not so well.  Used a servo-pendulum vane on a previous and smaller boat to cross the Pacific in 2010 and that required a bit of experimentation and tinkering to get right.  Suspect the same with this especially since it is likely at the top end of its capability on a boat as heavy as an H46.  Good sail trim is mandatory.  Fortunately the boat balances wonderfully well.  We're in La Reunion after crossing the Indian Ocean from Darwin, but decided that running in very boisterous conditions wasn't the time to tinker.  Will sort the thing as able.  Dinghy rides much higher underway than photo shows, held securely by four ratcheting straps, with bow tube against plastic cover, which is held on by tie wraps and covered with rubber pad to prevent chafe.
Jack & Jan
Anthem H46-8

[stgermain45]

No firsthand experience, but you may want to check out this thread for mounting ideas:
http://hylasyachts.org/index.php/topic,644

We met a couple in Thailand when they were awaiting delivery of their new Hydrovane for their H46, and some installation notes are humorously depicted in their blog:
https://www.sailblogs.com/member/anthem/389977
Maybe you can reach out to them for specifics.

Chris
s/v Beleza, H46 #44

[will@willclower.com]

Hi Danny!

Thank you so much for your response below. On our end, over the last 2 years, we have had 3 autopilot failures, with 2 of them being AT SEA, having the hand steer from Miami to New Bern, NC, and then from the Bahamas back to NC as well.

After the first failure, we replaced the original autopilot system with a brand new one. In that new autopilot though, out in the Atlantic, the pin securing the quadrant sheered off!! Ugh, having to hand steer 24/7 for days and days wears you down!

In any case, the bottom line for us is that we’re planning to be at sea for extended periods, and we’d like to have redundancy. The hydrovane gives a backup autopilot and, after our experiences, that really puts our minds at ease. PLUS, I like it that the system can serve as a backup rudder as well.

Like I wrote in the original post, we struggled because of exactly what you said. The stuff mounted on the back is in the way of the dingy when raising it on the davits. After a lot of thought though, raising up the dinghy around that hydrovane post is definitely an inconvenience, but for us anyway was outweighed by having redundant systems for autopilot and the rudder.

As for our plans, we are now liveaboards full time, woot woot!! So excited Danny!! We’re heading down to the USVI in mid-November. We’ll be there for 6 months, then for hurricane season will either go south to Grenada, or east with the ARC rally to the Med for 6 months. Our plans are then to return to St. Lucia at the end of that year, and do the WORLD ARC from January 2020 until …

Thanks again for your thoughts on the hydrovane, and sharing your experiences!!
Will and Dottie
Amari H46 #33

[dannye]

Hello Will, We own a 1996 46' Hylas and the last year we crossed the Atlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Bermuda, Azores and La Coruña- Spain, our boat doesn't have a Hydrovane, And I strongly believe that the boat DOES NOT need one.
we sailed through a big storm for 60 hours , with winds between 35 and 52 knots, we didn't want to watch the wind speed anymore after we saw 52 K.
and the boat ALWAYS was under the control of the autopilot. and it never failed, Boat performance EXCELLENT ,
We have sailed over 5000 miles the last 2 years and always with the autopilot. Boat is in Valencia - Spain - now.
You need to think about all the problems that the Hydrovane will create with the dingy and the swimming platform because the supports that it requiere for the installation.
Hope it helps. Let me know if any question. Wondering how far are you planning to sail.

Danny Escobar
"Grand Cru 2"

[will@willclower.com]

Hello everyone,

We are preparing Amari (46' #33) for offshore sailing and are considering the Hydrovane system.

Has anyone had experience mounting this system on a scoop  stern? We have concerns about whether it interferes with the davits, and its operation at sea.

Looking forward to hearing any thoughts and experience you guys have had with them!

Will and Dottie
Amari H46 #33