Windvane
I am contemplating the purchase of a windvane system, and thus have visited several websites (Capehorn, Monitor, Hydrovane, Windpilot). Of course all say they are the best, and some feature Nic31 as existing installations. Has anybody any practical experience with such devices on a Nic31?
aahshowa
Unregistered User
(22/11/05 9:49 pm) Reply
Windvane
Congratulations on your maiden voyage! As far as Monitor windvanes I have no personal experience with the Monitor but hull 109 was ERQUY now DRAKEN (a member of our Association) has one unless the new owner removed it. The previous owner, Cormac McHenry did a single-handed Trans Atlantic circuit in Erquy with a monitor from what I understand.
windvanes
The blueprint has a 'new' (2001) Airies and on trans atlantic crossing, with mostly light to medium airs off the stern or quarter it was fantastic. When boat speed dropped to below 3 knots I took off the oar, turned on the engine, and hooked up the electric autohelm g.p. We did not hand steer the boat more than an hour or two and then only when changing from wind to electric and back.
The boats inherent great balance probably has something to do with the successful performance of the unit. Airies is in production again, now in Denmark, and the builder is producing a gorgeous unit ,heavily (black) anodized, and with a modicum of anticorrosive spray occasionally, it looks almost new after 5 seasons on the water. Aires is at the head of the class and gets my vote hands down! See photos in gallery.
Edited by: blueprintbill at: 27/11/05 8:34 am
blueprintbill
Unregistered User
(27/11/05 7:31 am) Reply
windvanes
The blueprint has a 'new' (2001) Airies and on trans atlantic crossing, with mostly light to medium airs off the stern or quarter it was fantastic. When boat speed dropped to below 3 knots I took off the oar, turned on the engine, and hooked up the electric autohelm g.p.
The boats inherent great balance probably has something to do with the successful performance of the unit. Airies is in production again, now in Denmark, and the builder is producing a gorgeous unit ,heavily (black) anodized, and with a modicum of anticorrosive spray occasionally, it looks almost new after 5 seasons on the water. Aires gets my vote hands down!
aahshowa
Unregistered User
(29/11/05 6:00 am) Reply
Windvanes
I found some other information for you. J Kohfahl who owns a Nicholson 31, hull # 111 had a Monitor windvane installed in 1996. He is a member.
Also found the following on the internet:
"This letter is long overdue and is intended to convey to you my complete satisfaction with the Cape Horn self-steering system. I have used this system extensively both when sailing and motorsailing during the past six months during my voyage from Florida to Trinidad and it has performed flawlessly. Not only is it an excellent functional member of my crew, it is also the most aesthetic self-steering system on the market. Well done." Bruce Richardson, Nicholson 31 Chance Encounter
I do not know the date this was written.
Also, Roger Olson, who single handed a Bristol Channel Cutter in the South Pacific for many years, built a windvane as an extenstion of his boat's rudder which is as large as the Nicholson's rudder. I thought that it was quite nice not to have usual big heavy windvane unit attached to the stern. There are plans for this type of unit.
Re: Windvanes
I also have an Aries and like Bill I'm very pleased with it.Just balance her up with a degree or two of weather helm and its like sailing on rails.There is a drawback of having lines in the cockpit but being a singlehander this is no problem for me, the real bugbear is the Bronze chain holder fixed to my beautiful tiller although this works well it's ugly to my eyes.
Bonita, you can always polish it out and have it chrome plated. See Photo.
Re: lines in cockpit....they can be led to the companionway such that they can be operated from inside the boat w/o even climbing out into the cockpit...It's so nice.
Bill. nicholson 31 forum
OK...does any one onboard here know how jpeg photos can be added? Sorry. I tried.
Edited by: blueprintbill at: 5/12/05 10:33 pm
Re: Windvane
I have been wondering which windvane was fitted to Erquy/Draken! Now I know.
This Monitor has long since done and I've spent some time to neatly cover the old holes.
I am currently looking for a Vane myself but wouldn't want anything too bulky or weighty.From what I've learn't over the last few years with the Nic 31 it's quite easy to get the cockpit area too heavily loaded resulting in slightly "nose high" trim.
I came across the following which looks interesting at about £1550 quoted for a Nic 31 - www.windvane.co.uk - but I have no reports on this product so far - anyone know it?
Re: Windvane
I finally ordered a Monitor for the following reasons:
1. All the required support structure will be made to fit the Nic31 transom and is included in the price. I dont need to have a custom structure made. This does not seem to be the case with other brands featuring a small footprint attachment.
2. Location of the support strut's attachment points on the transom. The load is spread far apart.
3. Weights about 24 kg which is quite a bit lighter than an Aries and about the weight of a Windpilot or similar.
4. Seems to work well according to the reports I have seen elsewhere.
Congratulations on your purchase. Please keep us posted.It seemed like Hydrovane was a popular choice and, I think was, like a factor option. I don't know much about it but am interested. What is the scoop on the Hydrovanes. I like the idea of no lines going through the cockpit but there are obvously other considerations. I am just now closing on a Nic 31. It does not currently have a vane so I want to gain as much understanding as possible.
Re: Windvane
I looked at the Hydrovane as well, but decided against it due to the weight of the setup. I was also afraid to have another complex "gearbox" on board. My understanding is that a vane like a Monitor is quite easy to fix if it gets broken. Also look at the pricing: the Monitor sells for USD 3595. and the Hydrovane for USD 5490. Maybe it is worth it, but I have a budget to live with and I can get a Radar and more for the difference.
But only the future will tell if I made a good decision.
windvane
I fitted a 'Monitor' windvane several years ago. It works great. For installation follow the instructions and you well be happy. If you need a photo for details, please let me know. Some attachment points are throughbolted others a screwed in the hull (thick material) together with "Sikaflex". Jens
Re: windvane
Jens, thank you for the info. I supposed by looking at the pictures of Tramontana that you had a Monitor. Could you tell me which attachments are not throughbolted? Is this because you had no access on the inside of the hull? I found out that access to the stern is very problematic, and this is also one of the reasons I selected a Monitor, the attachments being on each side rather than on the centerline.
windvane
Correct, because of impossible access for the upper fittings just below the main sheet traveller. But a lot of solid material there, no problem. Also the plates must be turned a bit and the upper edges cut off, otherwise the traveller would not pass.This is due to the shape of the hull in this area. Further questions? Send me a mail. Jens
Re: windvane
OK, Jens. Thanks for the offer. I will receive the vane around mid february and will start the work in march. I will then most probably get in touch with you if there are any worries.
windvane
Please keep in mind, the boat has to be in the water in fairly good conditions, no wind,calm sea (as it is recommended for installation). We managed it with to people following the instructions step by step. Jens
Re: windvane
Gentlemen...Caution!... do not try fixing a windvane to a transom by setting 'screws' into fiberglass, no matter how thick. You will be relying on the screw threads alone (and sealant ?) to carry the sometimes quite heavy (and dynamic) loads imposed over a good period of time (years) Consider cutting access holes in the aft sections of upper cockpit molding, do a proper mounting job (out of the water and with adequate backing plates) and closing the access holes with a water tight (+/- 6/8 inch) access port. I have photos of a finished installation of this detail which I will forward to Andy for inclusion with Aries installation as seen in latest 'gallery'.
Edited by: blueprintbill at: 12/1/06 8:23 am
Edited by: 
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